The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be the first to include a whopping 48 teams, making it the biggest tournament in the competition’s history. Here’s what you need to know. It will be held June 11 through July 19, 2026. This year, this edition will be different! For the first time in history, three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will jointly host the beautiful game’s most coveted tournament. The tournament promises to be a historic event in the world of football. It will be presented in a new format, including 48 teams from across the globe gearing up for 104 matches in total.
The action begins with the group stage, beginning June 11 and running until June 27. Following the group phase, the tournament will continue to the knockout stage. Starting with a round of 32, it will run June 28 through July 3. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has recently assured that there will be a halftime show at the final match. This new, thrilling performance will continue to deliver all the in-arena action to fans worldwide, immersing them like never before.
Expanded Format and Increased Participation
The 2026 World Cup will be historic in many ways, none more so than the increase in teams participating. The tournament will be featuring 48 teams for the very first time. This is an even more ambitious 16-team expansion compared to the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022. This change broadens the opportunity for additional countries to thrive in global competition. It opens up intriguing prospects for developing footballing nations.
With that growth of teams comes the growth of matches. The 2026 tournament will feature 104 matches in total – 40 more than were contested in Qatar. This expansion adds even greater depth to the competition while giving fans the chance to enjoy more exciting football action this summer than ever before.
Host Cities Across North America
As the tournament progresses through 16 host cities, we’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking locations in all of North America. In the United States, host cities include Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Atlanta, Kansas City, Houston, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, and Miami. The matches in Canada will take place in Toronto and Vancouver. At the same time, Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara will be rejoicing over matches being hosted in Mexico.
This impressive array of host cities is yet another indication of FIFA’s intentions to bring the World Cup to newer, more diverse audiences. Each city was selected for its preparedness to welcome fans. We can’t forget their remarkable hospitality though, with first class amenities for players and fans alike.
Ongoing Qualifying Campaigns
As the frenzy builds and interest in the tournament spreads, qualifying campaigns for nations still in the mix are actively ongoing. Germany’s team is charting its path to qualification on the watch of new manager Thomas Tuchel, looking to make a deep run in the competition. Save the date for December 5th! The final tournament draw will take place here in the Nations’ Capital, and teams will learn who they will face in the group stage.
Fans and players alike are hugely excited about this historic World Cup. The anticipation only deepens all the time as all involved await what promises to be an incredible experience. The 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will make history as the first to have three host countries. It’s marked by record-breaking attendance and an unusual format.
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