The FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be the first one ever held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This 23rd edition of this pinnacle event will have bigger crowds, more games, and a lot of memorable moments. People all over the world are already excited to see which country will come out on top. Are you ready to watch the biggest football tournament ever and be a part of the spectacle?

About the World Cup

The first FIFA World Cup was in 1930, hosted by Uruguay. They won the first championship by beating Argentina 4–2 in the final. Since then, the World Cup has become the world’s largest sports event, held every four years (except during World War II).

The tournament has created many famous moments. Think of Pelé’s historic play in 1958, or Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” in 1986. Each event crowns a new champion and adds to the history of football.

Brazil has won the most World Cups with five wins (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002). Germany and Italy are close behind with four titles each. Argentina won the most recent World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

When and Where Will the FIFA World Cup 2026 Take Place?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The games will be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is the first time the tournament will be so big, and it brings back the usual summer schedule after the last one was held in November and December.

The first match will likely be in Mexico City at the famous Estadio Azteca. The final will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York City.

World Cup 2026 Tournament Format Explained

The World Cup 2026 will have a new format for the first time in many years. There will be 48 national teams instead of 32, which makes it the biggest World Cup ever. This change means a new way of playing the group and knockout stages.

• Number of Teams: 48 national teams will qualify.
• Group Stage: Teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4.
• Advancement: The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams will move on, creating a 32-team knockout stage.
• Knockout Rounds: From the Round of 32 onward, it follows the traditional single-elimination format (Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final).
• Match Count: A total of 104 matches will be played, compared to 64 in 2022.