The mood is electric. The fans are ready. The World Cup is here.
The globe’s biggest sporting event began on Thursday with a kickoff match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament was expected to draw hundreds of millions of spectators, many in person.
Among the crowds that came out on Thursday were about 18,000 protesters seeking to get the government’s attention for various causes. In response, the government deployed riot police officers across Mexico City. “Everything is under control,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said.
Mexico is the first nation to host the World Cup three times. It did so first in 1970, and then in 1986. This time, it is one of three hosts, along with Canada and the United States.
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