The Biggest and Most Expensive World Cup in History Kicks Off

The opening whistle for the FIFA World Cup will be heard tonight in Mexico City, with a record 48 national teams taking part and 104 matches scheduled in the tournament, most of them in the United States, and some in Mexico and Canada.

Those who could not give up a ticket to the huge final had to pay between $6,000 and $11,000, up to six times the prices in Qatar four years ago, while the rest of the fans will have to settle for an exciting televised event.