The 2026 FIFA World Cup, held for the first time in three countries — the USA, Canada and Mexico — has already given fans bright matches and unexpected results. On June 17-18, the focus was on the favorites: Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal drew with DR Congo, and England beat Croatia comfortably.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with the hosts' match against South Africa. This is the first tournament in history with 48 teams and three organizing countries — the USA, Canada and Mexico, xrust reminds. For Russian fans, who traditionally actively follow world championships, events unfold in a convenient time zone (the difference with Moscow is +7 to +10 hours depending on the city), and broadcasts are available on federal channels and streaming services.
On June 17–18, the tournament entered the rhythm of the group stage. One of the most discussed results is Portugal's draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1:1). Ronaldo, now playing in his sixth World Cup (a record he shares with Messi), was unable to bring victory to his team. The Portuguese quickly opened the scoring (the goal was scored by João Neves after a pass from Pedro Neto), but the African team, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, equalized through the efforts of Joane Vissa. In the second half, Congo could even snatch victory — Bakambu hit the post. For Russia, this match is interesting as an example of how “dark horses” can give battle to the giants.
On the same day, England confidently beat Croatia in Group L with a score of 4:2. Arsenal's Noni Madueke started for the Three Lions, with veteran Luka Modric captaining the Croatians. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham showed great class — England looked fresh and dominated. This result was one of the most striking at the start for the European favorites.
Other events on June 17-18 include Ghana's match against Panama (Ghana snatched victory in the last minutes), as well as meetings with the participation of Uzbekistan and other teams. The tournament is rich in debutants and surprises: Cape Verde drew with Spain, and fans noted the atmosphere in stadiums from Mexico City to Toronto and Los Angeles.
Organization and features of the tournament
World Cup 2026 is the largest in history: 104 matches instead of the usual 64. 16 host cities offer modern stadiums. For Russians, the trip will require a visa to the USA/Canada/Mexico (depending on the route). A flight from Moscow to New York or Mexico City will cost from 70–120 thousand rubles roundtrip in economy class (prices for summer 2026). Hotels on match days — from 10-15 thousand rubles per night for a simple room, more expensive closer to the finals.
Ticket prices (approximately, according to data at the time of the tournament):
- Group stage: from 5–15 thousand rubles for regular seats (cheap categories from ~60–140 dollars).
- Play-offs: much higher, from 30-100 thousand rubles.
- Final in New Jersey (MetLife Stadium, July 19): from several hundred thousand to millions of rubles on the secondary market. FIFA attributes the price increase to the size of the tournament and inflation, but many fans complain about affordability. Official sales through FIFA, there are warnings about fraud on resellers.
What is interesting for Russian viewers class=»notranslate»>__GTAG9__
Russia does not participate in the tournament, but interest is traditionally high. Many people follow stars like Ronaldo, Kane, as well as new teams. Experts note that the expansion to 48 teams has made the group stage more competitive and interesting — there are fewer close matches.
FIFA stressed safety and organization, although there were visa incidents and complaints about the heat in some cities. Convenient for watching in Russia: matches during the day and evening in Moscow. We recommend keeping an eye on groups with European and South American giants.
The tournament will last until July 19. The playoffs are ahead, where the fate of the trophy will be decided. Follow the updates on official FIFA sources and sports portals. The championship is already living up to expectations in terms of entertainment, despite high prices and logistical challenges for travelers.
According to publications https://www.reuters.com
Xrust FIFA World Cup 2026: sensations of the first days in North America — Portugal did not win, England defeated Croatia
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