2026 FIFA World Cup: Everything You Need to Know
Here are the key details to know ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup tournament scheduled to commence in less than 100 days.
The biggest football tournament in history is just around the corner. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, and runs through July 19, 2026, and it's breaking records before a single ball is kicked. From an expanded 48-team field to an unprecedented three-nation host, here is everything you need to know.
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days. The schedule breaks down as follows: group stages run June 11–27, the Round of 32 from June 28 to July 3, the Round of 16 from July 4–7, quarter-finals July 9–11, semi-finals July 14–15, the third-place playoff on July 18, and the final on July 19.
Where is the World Cup being held?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by 16 cities, eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. It is the first World Cup ever to be hosted by three nations simultaneously.
United States (11 cities) Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
Mexico (3 cities): Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
Canada (2 cities): Toronto, Vancouver
The opening match will be Mexico vs. South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, the first stadium in history to host matches at three separate FIFA World Cups (1970, 1986, and 2026). The tournament concludes on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, an 82,500-seat venue that will host the World Cup final.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host the most matches of any venue, nine in total.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
This is the first FIFA World Cup to include 48 teams, an expansion from the 32-team format used since 1998. Here is how those spots are distributed across confederations:
8 teams from Asia (AFC), 9 from Africa (CAF), 6 from North America (CONCACAF, including the three hosts), 16 from Europe (UEFA), 6 from South America (CONMEBOL), 1 from Oceania (OFC), and 2 teams to be decided by intercontinental playoffs.
First-time qualifiers at this tournament include Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, all making their World Cup debuts on the biggest stage.
How does the new World Cup format work?
The format has changed significantly from previous tournaments. The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four, with each side playing three matches. The top two teams in every group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed finishers to complete a new round of 32.
From there, the knockout stage proceeds through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. Every match from the quarter-finals onwards will be played in the United States.
In numbers: the total number of games increases from 64 to 104, and teams that reach the final four will now play eight matches rather than seven.
Who is hosting the World Cup this year?
Here is a full list of countries hosting the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup tournament:
United States (USA): Hosting the World Cup for the first time since 1994, the US will stage 78 matches, including all games from the quarter-final stage onwards.
Mexico: Mexico becomes the first nation to host three men's World Cups, having previously staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986.
Canada: This will be the first time the men's World Cup has ever been played on Canadian soil.
Who are the World Cup defending champions?
Argentina arrive as reigning world champions, having lifted the trophy in 2022. They will attempt to become the first nation since Brazil (1958 and 1962) to win back-to-back men's World Cups, a feat achieved only twice in history.
How much is the 2026 World Cup prize money?
Of the $727 million overall fund, $655 million will be distributed to the teams based on their performance. The winning nation will take home a record $50 million, while the runners-up will receive $33 million, which is a significant increase from the $42 million Argentina received for winning in Qatar 2022.
What are the official mascots for the 2026 World Cup?
The three mascots are Maple the Moose for Canada, Zayu the Jaguar for Mexico, and Clutch the Bald Eagle for the United States. Each mascot represents its host nation's national identity and wildlife.
How can I watch the 2026 World Cup?
Questions on how to watch the 2026 World Cup have emerged. It is important to however note that broadcast rights vary by country. We'll be updating our dedicated [How to Watch the 2026 World Cup] guide with full broadcaster details by region.
Key records the 2026 World Cup will break
- First World Cup with 48 teams
- The first World Cup hosted by three nations
- Most matches ever played (104)
- Longest tournament in modern history (39 days)
- Largest ever prize money pool ($727 million)
- Mexico becomes the first nation to host three men's World Cups
- First World Cup Final halftime show at MetLife Stadium
What's Next?
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