The FIFA World Cup kicks off on Friday morning, with the biggest tournament in the competition’s history set to get underway.
The U.S, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the event.
It is the first time three countries have shared World Cup hosting duties.
Here is everything you need to know.
Background
The FIFA World Cup is contested by national teams every four years and has been running since 1930. This year’s tournament is the 23rd edition.
A record 48 teams have qualified, up from 32 teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The expanded format means the teams are divided into 12 groups of four for the opening group stage, with each team playing the other three sides in its group.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout rounds.
That’s an increase from the previous format, where only 16 teams progressed beyond the group stage.
The tournament will then move through the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals before the final in New Jersey on 19 July.
Why three hosts?
The larger field of 48 teams and an increase in total matches to 104 meant that it was logistically easier for the tournament to be staged across three countries.
Matches will be played at 16 different venues.
The bulk of the matches will be played in the U.S, with Canada and Mexico hosting a smaller share each.
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Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Captain Lionel Messi is expected to feature at his sixth World Cup, although history is against his side. No nation has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
Many bookmakers have Spain as the team to beat after their victory at the 2024 European Football Championship.
England, who Spain beat in that final, are also considered strong contenders, alongside France.
Brazil can never be ruled out. The five-time world champions have not lifted the World Cup trophy since 2002 but remain among the leading chances.
Meanwhile, Portugal is another team attracting attention.
Ranked fifth in the world, it will be chasing a first World Cup title, with 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo expected to play at what is likely to be his sixth and final tournament.
Australian team
This is the men’s World Cup, meaning it is the Socceroos – not the Matildas – representing Australia.
The Socceroos have been drawn in Group D alongside Türkiye, the U.S. and Paraguay.
They open their campaign against Türkiye on Sunday at 2pm (AEST).
All three of Australia’s group-stage matches will be played during Australian daytime hours, a rarity for a major football tournament.
Australia’s best result at a men’s World Cup is reaching the Round of 16, which it achieved in 2006 and again in 2022.
How to watch
The opening game is between South Africa and co-hosts Mexico, and kicks off at 5am (AEST) on Friday 12 June.
Every match is live and free to watch in Australia on SBS and SBS On Demand.
