FIFA World Cup 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Football’s Biggest Tournament

A Historic Tournament Takes Shape

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest in the tournament’s history, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams – 16 more than in Qatar 2022. In another historic first, the tournament will take place across three host nations.

The championship will kick off on June 11 and conclude on July 19, with 48 teams playing more than 100 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Host Cities and Venue Distribution

The tournament will be hosted across sixteen cities, with eleven US venues divided into three regions. The eastern region includes New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami and Atlanta, while Kansas City, Dallas and Houston make up the central region. The western region features Los Angeles, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay area. Three Mexican cities (Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey) and two Canadian cities (Toronto and Vancouver) complete the roster.

The United States will host 78 matches, including all games from the quarter-final stage onward, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches. The tournament will culminate with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

Qualification and Tournament Format

The 2026 World Cup marks a significant milestone as the first tournament in which all six confederations have at least one guaranteed berth, and the first time since 2010 that all continents will have teams qualified for the World Cup finals.

Following Spain’s victory in last year’s European Championship, they have emerged as one of the favorites, while current champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will be aiming to achieve the rare feat of winning back-to-back tournaments – a feat last accomplished by Brazil in 1962.

Fan Experience and Preparations

With an anticipated 6.5 million fans expected to travel to the 16 host cities, organizers are encouraging early planning for transportation and accommodation, as prices are expected to increase as the tournament approaches. FIFA has announced that the World Cup final will feature a half-time show, with Coldplay involved in the entertainment at MetLife Stadium.