Nearly half of Americans say they have no interest in the FIFA World Cup as the global soccer tournament gets underway Thursday, according to a new Emerson College poll.

The poll found that 45% are not at all interested in the men's soccer tournament. Another 33% said they are somewhat interested, while just 22% said they are very interested.

The tournament opens with co-host Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City. The World Cup is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The U.S. men's national team opens play Friday night against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The Americans are grouped with Paraguay, Turkey, and Australia in Group D.

If the U.S. advances to the Round of 32, it will have an opportunity to earn its first World Cup knockout-round victory in nearly 25 years.

The poll revealed a significant age gap in enthusiasm for the tournament.

More than 80% of respondents aged 18-29 said they are either very or somewhat interested in the World Cup, while just 19% said they are not interested at all.

Among respondents ages 60-69, however, 58% said they are not interested in the event, compared with 31% who are somewhat interested and 11% who are very interested.

Interest also varied across demographic groups. Six in 10 Hispanic respondents and 63% of Black respondents said they plan to follow the tournament somewhat or very closely. By comparison, 35% of White respondents said the same.

The event comes as some foreign visitors have encountered visa-related hurdles entering the United States, including members of Iran's delegation and a Somali referee.

President Donald Trump addressed the issue Wednesday, telling reporters his administration is working to "make sure the right people come into" the country for the World Cup.

Trump also said he plans to attend some tournament matches. Former President Bill Clinton attended the opening match of the 1994 World Cup, the last time the event was hosted in the United States.

Last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimated that more than 5 million foreign visitors will enter the country during the tournament.

The poll was conducted June 7-8 and surveyed 1,200 likely U.S. voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.