2026 FIFA World Cup: A Groundbreaking Tournament Set to Transform Football’s Biggest Stage

A Historic Triple-Host World Cup

The 23rd FIFA World Cup, marketed as FIFA World Cup 26, will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will be jointly hosted by 16 cities across three North American countries, with the United States serving as the main host, while Canada and Mexico will be auxiliary hosts.

This tournament will mark two significant firsts in World Cup history: it will be the first to be hosted by three nations and the first to include an expanded format of 48 teams, up from the previous 32-team structure.

Tournament Structure and Host Cities

The majority of matches will be played across 11 U.S. cities: Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Boston, Dallas, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the New York City metropolitan area. Mexico will host matches in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, while Canada’s host cities will be Toronto and Vancouver.

The expanded tournament will feature 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days. For the group stage, teams will be divided into twelve groups of four teams.

Key Dates and Milestones

The opening match will be held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, with the final taking place at the New York New Jersey Stadium – home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.

The crucial tournament draw is scheduled for December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. However, some participants will remain unknown at the time of the draw, as four UEFA playoff winners and two inter-confederation playoff winners will be determined in March 2026.

Ticket Sales and Fan Experience

The first phase of ticket sales begins September 10, 2025, with a 10-day presale lottery. Visa cardholders can enter the drawing for a chance to purchase up to four tickets for up to 10 matches during their designated time slot. Additional ticket phases will follow, including a third phase after the final draw in December.

With an anticipated attendance of 6.5 million fans from around the world expected to visit the 16 host cities, early planning for flights and accommodations is strongly recommended, as prices are expected to increase as the tournament approaches.