Welcome to 2026 — The Biggest World Cup Ever Kicks Off in North America
48 teams, 16 cities, 104 matches — what the first tri-nation World Cup means for fans and football.
On June 11, 2026, the 23rd FIFA World Cup kicks off at Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca. It’s the first edition co-hosted by three nations — and the first with 48 teams after the expansion from 32.
By the numbers
- Teams: 48, across 12 groups of four
- Matches: 104 — up 40 from Qatar 2022
- Host cities: 16 (11 USA, 3 Mexico, 2 Canada)
- Duration: June 11 – July 19, 2026 (39 days)
Format changes
After the group stage, the top two from each group — plus the 8 best third-placed teams — advance to a Round of 32, before the tournament returns to its traditional knockout structure. The Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
What tri-nation hosting means
Split hosting across three countries means fans and teams alike will navigate three time zones. FIFA Watch will track, week by week:
- The draw and fixture progress for every team
- Travel, ticketing, and fan-zone details for all 16 host cities
- Form-guide signals from tune-up friendlies
Stay with us through tournament kickoff.