The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious and popular sporting event in the world, attracting billions of viewers and fans every four years. But the next edition of the World Cup, scheduled for 2026, will be unlike any other in history. Here are some of the key facts and features of the 2026 FIFA World Cup that you should know.
Three Countries, One World Cup
For the first time ever, the World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is also the first time that the World Cup will be held in North America since 1994, when the US hosted the tournament. The three countries will share the hosting duties, with the US hosting 78 matches, and Canada and Mexico hosting 13 matches each. The opening match will take place in Mexico City, where the home team will kick off the tournament at the iconic Azteca Stadium. The final match will be held in New Jersey, at the MetLife Stadium, which can seat up to 82,500 spectators.
48 Teams, 104 Matches, 16 Cities
The 2026 World Cup will also be the largest in terms of the number of teams and matches. The tournament will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions, and 104 matches, up from 64. This means that there will be more teams, more games, and more chances for upsets and surprises. The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. The knockout stage will have an extra round, with the finalists playing eight matches instead of seven.
The matches will be played in 16 cities across the three countries, with each city hosting at least three matches. The cities are: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The cities were chosen based on their infrastructure, facilities, fan base, and cultural diversity. The venues will range from historic stadiums like the Azteca and the Rose Bowl, to modern arenas like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Levi’s Stadium.
The Longest World Cup Ever
The 2026 World Cup will also be the longest in terms of duration, lasting for 39 days, from June 11 to July 19. This is almost 10 days longer than the previous World Cup in Qatar, which lasted for 29 days. The reason for the longer duration is to accommodate the increased number of teams and matches, as well as to provide enough rest and recovery time for the players. The longer World Cup will also give more opportunities for fans to travel and enjoy the host countries and their cultures.
The Most Exciting World Cup Ever?
The 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable editions of the tournament ever. With more teams, more matches, more host countries, and more fans, the World Cup will showcase the best of football and the best of humanity. The World Cup will also be a celebration of diversity, unity, and friendship, as people from different backgrounds and cultures will come together to share their passion and love for the beautiful game.