2026 World Cup countdown officially begins

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Today officially marks one month of the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on the 11th of June 2026.

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Anxiety has crept in with everything happening in the host countries, from ticket prices and political tensions in Donald Trump’s America to the war in Iran, which is casting an early shadow over the football showpiece.

But the beautiful game has always been more than just goals and trophies; it’s about moments that live forever. For some players, this will be their first World Cup.

Also see: Bafana Bafana’s World Cup 2026 fixtures: when to watch and why it matters

From 11 May to 31 May, the world will sit and watch the heartbeat of football nostalgia as different countries will be battling for the title.
A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations. This isn’t just a World Cup; it’s a celebration of football.

Kicking off the World Cup on the 11th of June is Mexico vs South Africa