World Cup nears kickoff after pre-tournament turbulence

The world's greatest football spectacle, the World Cup, is poised to kick off on Thursday, with FIFA banking on the sport's enduring appeal to overcome a turbulent pre-tournament period. Anger over soaring ticket prices, political tensions in the United States, and the shadow of conflict in the Middle East have marked the build-up.

This year's tournament is historic, being the first ever co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also the largest and most logistically complex edition, featuring a record 48 teams and expecting millions of fans to descend upon North America.

The action commences at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa. The nearly six-week-long event will conclude with the final match at the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Fans will be watching to see if Lionel Messi, at 38, can cement his legacy by leading Argentina to a second consecutive title, or if his great rival, the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, will feature prominently in the tournament's narrative.