Long queues wrapped around the Azteca as fans faced a long wait to enter the first stadium to host matches across three World Cups. Inside, thousands sang ahead of kickoff.

"Chill, relax" was Gianni Infantino's message on Wednesday as the FIFA president sought to defuse concerns over visa issues that have clouded the buildup to the World Cup, saying soccer's governing body could not dictate immigration decisions to host nations.

Coach Javier Aguirre drew on memories of Mexico's last home World Cup on Wednesday as he prepared to lead the hosts into the tournament opener against South Africa, four decades after taking the field as a player at the Estadio Azteca.

Player and club numbers: 1,248 players from 449 clubs in 71 countries. 357 players have previous World Cup experience; 891 are debutants.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has challenged his players to block out an expected wall of sound on Thursday when they take on co-hosts Mexico in their World Cup opener.

Hundreds of protesters returned to an area near Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on Wednesday night, hours before the opening ceremony of the World Cup was due to take place.

The first ceremony will take place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 11:30 pm Bangladesh time on June 11. The second will be held at BMO Field in Toronto at 11:30 pm on June 12, while the third will unfold at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 5:30 am Bangladesh time on June 13.

Between them, Reza Mansoor and Mostafa Pourmand have attended 11 World Cups to cheer on their beloved Iran, and even a war between their team and host nation the United States is not going to stop them this time.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino brushed off criticism over World Cup visa issues and sky-high ticket prices on Wednesday in a defiant eve-of-tournament press conference.

Portugal beat Nigeria 2–1 in a World Cup warm-up on Wednesday, with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao making up for an off night for Cristiano Ronaldo.

As always, though, the World Cup’s enduring appeal extends beyond the favourites, residing in the stories surrounding the underdogs and newcomers.

Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just days before their World Cup opener against Scotland after FIFA banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

As the curtain rises on the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight, the United States appears to be competing for an altogether different title -- one of the most inhospitable hosts in the tournament's history.

The entire Brazil squad, with the exception of the injured Neymar, welcomed the smiling Ancelotti out onto the pitch at the team's base, the New York Red Bulls training facility in suburban New Jersey.

Two banks of flat fours with two centre-forwards leading the line. What is there to not get? Simple, isn’t it?

Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorised flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament.

The refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that US President Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the tournament.

Paul Gascoigne said on Wednesday he hopes England can reproduce the same "unbelievable" team spirit as the squad at the 1990 World Cup during their quest for glory at this year's tournament.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to take part in the next tournament in 2030.

Despite the many plots provided by sport's biggest tournament, one record remains unbroken: a foreign coach has never won the World Cup.