The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 with a record 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico—the first World Cup ever co‑hosted by three countries.
World Cup 2026 key facts
Quick summary before the detailed breakdown.
- Official name: 2026 FIFA World Cup (FIFA World Cup 26).
- Host countries: United States, Canada and Mexico—the first three‑nation World Cup in history.
- Dates: Opening match on 11 June 2026, final on 19 July 2026.
- Teams & format: Expanded to 48 national teams and 104 matches using 12 groups of four and a 32‑team knockout stage.
- Final venue: MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey region) is scheduled to host the World Cup final.
Dates and schedule overview
From group stage kick‑off to the final.
- Group stage: Starts 11 June 2026 and runs for roughly three weeks, with matches spread across all three host nations.
- Knockout rounds: The new 32‑team knockout phase (round of 32, round of 16, quarter‑finals, semi‑finals) follows the group stage and leads into the final week of July.
- Final: Scheduled for 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in the New York–New Jersey area in the United States.
Match‑by‑match fixtures and kick‑off times are being rolled out in phases, but FIFA and broadcasters have already confirmed the overall calendar and host city allocations so fans can start planning travel.
All 16 host cities in USA, Canada & Mexico
Where the 104 World Cup matches will be played.
- Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York / New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle are the 11 U.S. host cities.
- MetLife Stadium (NY/NJ) hosts the final, while several U.S. venues will stage opening‑round matches, knockout ties and semi‑finals.
- Canadian host cities: Toronto and Vancouver.
- Mexican host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, including matches at the historic Estadio Azteca.
The multi‑country hosting model is designed to use existing large stadiums and infrastructure, while also spreading the tournament’s economic impact across North America.
New 48‑team World Cup format
How the tournament changes compared with 2018 and 2022.
- Groups: 12 groups of four teams each, instead of eight groups of four like previous tournaments.
- Qualification from groups: Top two teams from each group plus the eight best third‑placed teams advance, creating a 32‑team knockout bracket.
- Total matches: 104 games in total—39 more than the 64‑match format used in 2014–2022.
Analysts expect the expanded format to give more countries from Africa, Asia and CONCACAF a chance to qualify, but it also lengthens the schedule, which is why the 2026 edition runs just over five weeks from opening match to final.
Why FIFA World Cup 2026 is a must‑watch event
What makes this edition different for fans and broadcasters.
Between the first‑ever three‑nation hosting, a record 48‑team line‑up and 16 major cities across North America, the 2026 World Cup is being positioned as the biggest FIFA tournament to date in terms of stadium capacity, travel routes and potential global TV audience.
Broadcasters and tourism boards are already promoting 2026 as a once‑in‑a‑generation football road trip, with fans able to combine marquee matches in cities like New York, Mexico City, Toronto, Los Angeles or Miami with summer travel across the region.
Who Will Win the 2026 World Cup? 🏆
Cast your vote and see what fans think! (Post-draw predictions)