Will Ochoa outshine Ronaldo and Messi in the record books?

The 2026 World Cup will kick off on Thursday night with a highly anticipated match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, marking the beginning of the largest edition in the history of the tournament that will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico with the participation of 48 teams for the first time.

Over 80,000 spectators are expected to attend the opening match at one of the most historic stadiums in World Cup history, as Azteca Stadium once witnessed two record-breaking attendance numbers during the 1986 edition when over 114,000 spectators watched Mexico take on Paraguay and Argentina take on West Germany in the final.

The significance of the opening match goes beyond the kickoff of the tournament, as it also has the potential to set new records among players and coaches.