FIFA World Cup 2026 Overview
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup and will be the first tournament to feature 48 national teams. It will also be the first World Cup hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The competition will take place across 16 host cities in North America and will run for more than five weeks, making it the largest World Cup ever in terms of scale, participation, and geographic coverage.
How the FIFA World Cup 2026 Works
The FIFA World Cup is held every four years and brings together national teams from FIFA’s six confederations. For the 2026 edition, FIFA has expanded the tournament format to include more teams and matches.
Key features of the FIFA World Cup 2026 include:
- Expansion from 32 to 48 teams
- A revised group-stage structure
- A larger knockout phase
- More matches than any previous World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will feature 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in the group stage. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new round of 32, expanding the knockout phase and increasing the total number of matches.
The expanded format allows more countries to qualify and increases global representation while maintaining a competitive tournament structure.
Host Countries and Cities
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted by three countries and played in 16 cities.
United States
The United States is the primary host nation and will stage matches in 11 cities.
Host cities in the United States:
- Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Dallas (AT&T Stadium, Arlington)
- Houston (NRG Stadium)
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri)
- Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood)
- Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens)
- New York / New Jersey (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford)
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
- Seattle (Lumen Field)
- Santa Clara (Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area)
- Foxborough (Gillette Stadium, Greater Boston area)
The United States will host the majority of matches, including later-stage fixtures.
Canada
Canada will host World Cup matches in two cities, marking the country’s first time hosting men’s FIFA World Cup matches.
Host cities in Canada:
- Toronto (BMO Field)
- Vancouver (BC Place)
Mexico
Mexico will host matches in three cities, becoming the first country to host FIFA World Cup matches across three different tournament editions.
Host cities in Mexico:
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
Mexico previously hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1986.
Tournament Timeline
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held from 11 June to 19 July 2026, following FIFA’s official tournament calendar. The extended duration reflects the expanded 48-team format.
The tournament will begin on 11 June 2026 with the opening match. The group stage will take place throughout June, with all 48 teams playing their initial matches across the 16 host cities.
The knockout stage is scheduled to begin in late June 2026 and continue into July. This phase will include the round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the third-place match, with matches hosted in selected cities.
The competition will conclude on 19 July 2026 with the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey. FIFA will confirm the full match schedule closer to the tournament.
Three Countries, One Tournament, One Connection
The FIFA World Cup 2026 represents a major expansion of the world’s biggest football tournament. With 48 teams, three host countries, and matches played across 16 cities, it will be the largest World Cup ever staged.
For international fans attending matches in multiple host countries during the tournament, staying connected is essential. Using a North America eSIM, such as Eskimo, allows travelers to access mobile data across the US, Canada, and Mexico without changing physical SIM cards, helping them stay online throughout the event. New users can also try Eskimo’s free 500MB global eSIM, which works in over 100 countries (including North America), before committing to a full plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams will compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The tournament will feature 48 national teams, expanded from 32 teams in previous editions.
How many cities will host the World Cup 2026?
Matches will be played in 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
When will the FIFA World Cup 2026 take place?
The tournament will run from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
