The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest and most ambitious edition in the tournament’s history. For the first time, it will be co-hosted by three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the USA—and will feature a record-breaking 48 teams.
🗓️ Key Dates & Venues
The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, and concludes with the Final on July 19, 2026.
| Event | Date | Stadium | City |
| Opening Match | June 11 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| US Opening Match | June 12 | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles, USA |
| Canada Opening Match | June 12 | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| The Final | July 19 | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, USA (NY/NJ) |
🌎 A Tournament of “Firsts”
- Expansion: The field has grown from 32 to 48 teams, meaning more matches (104 total!) and more chances for nations to make their debut.
- Three Hosts: This is the first time three countries have shared hosting duties.
- Mexican History: Mexico will become the first nation to host (or co-host) the World Cup three times (1970, 1986, 2026).
- New Format: Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group and the eight best third-place teams will advance to a new Round of 32.
🏟️ The 16 Host Cities
Matches will be played across three regions to minimize travel for teams during the group stages:
- Western Region: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles.
- Central Region: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City.
- Eastern Region: Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey.
🐆 Meet the Mascots
FIFA recently introduced a trio of mascots representing the spirit of each host nation:
- 🇨🇦 Maple the Moose (Canada)
- 🇲🇽 Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico)
- 🇺🇸 Clutch the Bald Eagle (United States)
Did you know? Argentina enters as the defending champion, looking to become only the third team in history to retain the trophy.