FIFA World Cup 2026
The World’s Greatest Tournament, Now Bigger Than Ever
The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event on the planet, bringing together national teams from every corner of the globe to compete for football’s ultimate prize. Held every four years, it is the pinnacle of the international game — a tournament where legends are made, underdogs rise, and entire nations hold their breath.
The 2026 edition is a landmark moment in football history: it is the first-ever men’s World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from the 32-team format that had been in place since 1998. More teams mean more stories, more surprises, and more betting value than any previous edition.
The Host Countries
The tournament takes place across three host countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — with 16 host cities spread across the continent. The opening match is held on 11 June in Mexico City, where the legendary Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host the opening match of three different men’s FIFA World Cups. The final takes place on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Format
The tournament uses 12 groups of four teams. The top two sides in each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a new Round of 32. From there, the knockout bracket progresses through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finally the grand final. Teams may need to play as many as eight matches to win the tournament — one more than in previous editions.
Key Rules
- Group stage: Each team plays three matches. Points are awarded as 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a defeat.
- Tiebreakers: If teams finish level on points, the order is decided by goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head record, then fair play record, and finally a drawing of lots.
- Advancement: The top two from each group qualify automatically. The eight best third-place finishes across all 12 groups also go through.
- Knockout stage: From the Round of 32 onward, it is single-elimination — win or go home. If a knockout match ends level after 90 minutes, it goes to 30 minutes of extra time, and then a penalty shootout if necessary.
- Squads: Each team can name up to 26 players, including three goalkeepers.
By the Numbers
104 matches are played over 39 days, making this the longest and largest World Cup ever staged. Four nations make their World Cup debut: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.