The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in history. For the first time ever, 48 nations will compete across three host countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — from June 11 to July 19, 2026. With 104 matches, 16 venues and a global audience in the billions, this is football on an unprecedented scale.
This page is your complete guide to everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup — updated regularly as the tournament approaches.
Quick Facts
Dates
June 11 – July 19, 2026
Host Nations
USA, Canada, Mexico
Teams
48 (expanded from 32)
Matches
104
Venues
16 (11 USA, 3 Mexico, 2 Canada)
Opening Match
June 11 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Final
July 19 – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Defending Champions
Argentina
Tournament Format
The 2026 World Cup introduces an expanded format with 12 groups of four teams. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a 32-team knockout round.
Group Stage: 12 groups of 4 teams (48 matches)
Round of 32: 16 matches
Round of 16: 8 matches
Quarter-finals: 4 matches
Semi-finals: 2 matches
Third Place Play-off: 1 match
Final: 1 match
The 12 Groups
Group A
Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
TBC (UEFA Playoff)
Group B
Canada
Switzerland
Qatar
TBC (UEFA Playoff)
Group C
Brazil
Scotland
Morocco
Haiti
Group D
USA
Paraguay
Australia
TBC (UEFA Playoff)
Group E
Germany
Ecuador
Ivory Coast
Curacao
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
Tunisia
TBC (UEFA Playoff)
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
New Zealand
Iran
Group H
Spain
Uruguay
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Group I
France
Norway
Senegal
TBC (Intercontinental Playoff)
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Group K
Portugal
Colombia
Uzbekistan
TBC (Intercontinental Playoff)
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
Host Venues
United States (11 venues)
Stadium
City
Capacity
MetLife Stadium
New York / New Jersey
82,500 (Final)
Rose Bowl
Los Angeles
88,565
AT&T Stadium
Dallas
80,000
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami
65,326
Levi’s Stadium
San Francisco
68,500
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia
69,328
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City
76,416
SoFi Stadium
Los Angeles
70,240
NRG Stadium
Houston
72,220
Gillette Stadium
Boston
65,878
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta
71,000
Mexico (3 venues)
Stadium
City
Capacity
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City
87,523 (Opening match)
Estadio Akron
Guadalajara
49,850
Estadio BBVA
Monterrey
53,500
Canada (2 venues)
Stadium
City
Capacity
BC Place
Vancouver
54,500
BMO Field
Toronto
45,736
Key Players to Watch
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The defending champion turns 39 during the tournament. This is widely expected to be Messi’s final World Cup — and he’ll be desperate to go out on the ultimate high.
Kylian Mbappe (France)
France’s talismanic captain enters this tournament at 27 and at the peak of his powers, gunning for a second World Cup winner’s medal.
Lamine Yamal (Spain)
The Barcelona superstar turns 19 during the tournament. Already one of the most exciting players on the planet, Spain’s title hopes rest heavily on his shoulders.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Norway’s first World Cup since 1998 is powered by the Manchester City striker, who scored 16 goals in qualifying alone. A serious contender for the Golden Boot.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
At 41, Ronaldo becomes the first player ever to appear at six World Cups. Still chasing the one trophy that has eluded him throughout his legendary career.
Jude Bellingham (England)
England’s best chance of ending 60 years of hurt. Under Thomas Tuchel, England qualified with a perfect record — Bellingham must now deliver on the biggest stage.
