FIFA World Cup 2026: The First 48-Team, Three-Nation Global Showcase
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest men’s tournament in history, both on and off the pitch. Officially branded “FIFA World Cup 26,” it returns the competition to North America for the first time since 1994 and will be the first World Cup ever shared by three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The event runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, spanning 39 days.
Sixteen cities will stage matches: Vancouver and Toronto in Canada; Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey in Mexico; and 11 U.S. sites—Seattle, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York/New Jersey, where MetLife Stadium will host the final.
What truly sets 2026 apart is its expanded format. After decades with 32 teams, this edition grows to 48, drawn into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-place finishers advancing to a new round of 32, then a classic knockout path through to the final. In total there will be 104 games, making it the most extensive World Cup schedule to date.
The United 2026 bid, put forward jointly by the three host countries, beat Morocco at FIFA’s 2018 congress, promising modern stadiums, robust transport infrastructure, and strong commercial revenues. Mexico, which hosted in 1970 and 1986, becomes the first country to stage the men’s World Cup three times. The U.S. follows up its 1994 tournament, while Canada hosts the men’s event for the first time after staging the Women’s World Cup successfully in 2015.
Scheduling is designed to balance spectacle and player welfare. The group stage is set for 11–27 June, followed by a round of 32 from 28 June to 3 July, then the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match on 18 July, and the final on 19 July. FIFA and local organizers are also planning fan festivals and an NFL-style halftime show for the final, underlining the event’s ambition as a global entertainment platform as well as a football competition.
Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States qualify automatically. The expanded field opens doors for more nations from every confederation, and several countries, including Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, are set to make their World Cup debuts. Argentina arrives as defending champions after winning in Qatar 2022, adding extra intrigue to the title race.
At the same time, the scale of the tournament raises questions. Analysts and fans have debated whether the larger format could dilute quality or create logistical and environmental challenges, given the long travel distances between some venues. Supporters’ groups have also highlighted ticket pricing and accessibility concerns, even as early sales already run into the millions.
Despite these debates, the 2026 World Cup is poised to be a landmark moment: a month-long festival of football stretching from Vancouver to Mexico City, showcasing a broader slice of the global game than ever before and reshaping what a World Cup looks like for a new generation of fans.