NEW YORK: The countdown has begun for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with football’s biggest tournament set to make history as the first edition hosted by three countries and the first to feature 48 teams.
The tournament will be jointly staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, bringing together teams from across all six football confederations. It will also be the largest World Cup ever, with 104 matches scheduled across 16 host cities.
The expanded format will see 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout rounds, adding a new Round of 32 to the competition.
The opening match will be played in Mexico City, while the final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, near New York. Host cities will include major football and sporting centres across North America, including Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta and Seattle.
FIFA says the expanded tournament is aimed at giving more nations the opportunity to compete on the world stage and increasing the global reach of the game.
The 2026 edition will also mark Mexico’s third time hosting World Cup matches, while the United States will stage the tournament for the first time since 1994. Canada will host men’s World Cup matches for the first time.
With qualification races nearing completion, fans around the world are now turning their attention to what promises to be the biggest football event in history.
