Overview
- All 48 teams were confirmed Wednesday after playoffs in Mexico completed the field, fixing the 12 groups and the June 11 opener of Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City.
- FIFA opened a last ticket window on Wednesday on a first‑come basis at fifa.com/tickets, with an official resale marketplace scheduled to launch on Thursday for secure exchanges.
- Mexico City’s government proposed no classes and remote work on the city’s five match days to ease traffic, a measure now awaiting decisions from the federal education ministry and private employers.
- U.S. consulates added staff for the surge in visa requests, and the FIFA Pass offers faster interview scheduling only, which means travelers still need to qualify under normal rules and show ties and funds.
- The expanded format brings 72 group matches and 104 games across 16 cities, with reports estimating billions in organizing and travel costs that signal crowded airports, packed transit and strong tourism demand.