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Latin Times
Latin Times
Sport

53 Days Until 2026 World Cup D-Day: Spain Still Favorite in Historic North American Showdown

Lamine Yamal

With exactly 53 days remaining until the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11 in Mexico City, soccer fans worldwide are counting down to "D-"Day"—the historic kickoff of the largest tournament ever staged, as betting markets continue to crown Spain the frontrunner to claim glory in the expanded 48-team event.

The term "D-Day" has taken on new meaning in the soccer community, signaling the decisive launch of the World Cup on Thursday, June 11, when host Mexico faces South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca. From that moment, 104 matches will unfold across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, culminating in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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