The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest and most ambitious edition in the history of football’s flagship tournament—with an expanded format, three host countries, and record-breaking participation.
Hosts & Historic Format
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time three nations have jointly hosted the competition. The tournament will be staged across 16 world-class cities across North America.
This edition will also be the largest in World Cup history, with 48 national teams competing, up from 32 in previous tournaments. A total of 104 matches will be played over the course of the competition—compared to just 64 matches in past editions.
Tournament Dates & Key Matches
Opening Match: June 11, 2026—The opening game takes place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, making it one of the few stadiums to host World Cup matches across three different decades.
Final: July 19, 2026—The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (referred to for the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium). under FIFA naming rules.
Length of Tournament: 39 days of intense football action—longer than any previous World Cup.
Tournament Format Explained
The expanded 48-team format will work as follows:
Group Stage: Teams are split into 12 groups of four teams.
– Each team plays three group matches.
Advancement to Knockouts:
– The top two teams from each group automatically advance.
– Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams also qualify for the next round.
Knockout Phase:
– The Round of 32 marks the first elimination stage, followed by the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Third-place match, and Final.
This structure ensures a total of 104 matches across the group and knockout stages.
16 Host Cities & Venues
Matches will be played across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the U.S. hosting the majority of fixtures.
United States (11 host cities):
New York/New Jersey (Final), Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, and Kansas City.
Mexico (3 host cities):
Mexico City (Opening Match), Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Canada (2 host cities):
Toronto, Vancouver.
Key Venue Highlights
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City — historic stadium hosting the opening match and famous for its World Cup legacy.
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey—hosts the 2026 final, with rebranding for FIFA use as New York New Jersey Stadium.
Qualified Teams & Draw
Qualification for the World Cup 2026 is ongoing, with many teams already securing their places. The final tournament draw took place on December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C., laying out the full group stage paths for all competing nations.
Notable qualified teams include traditional powerhouses and emerging nations, with several spots still to be decided via playoffs in early 2026.
What Makes World Cup 2026 Special?
The largest World Cup ever, with 48 teams and 104 matches.
Three host countries—the USA, Mexico, and Canada—share the global spotlight
Historic venues like Estadio Azteca are returning to center stage.
MetLife Stadium hosts the final—adding another major football milestone.
Advanced scheduling tools, such as the official World Cup Schedule Navigator, help fans easily explore fixtures.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises unforgettable moments—from thrilling group stage battles to a dramatic final on July 19—and continues to grow football’s global reach like never before.
