The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in under two months, and here’s everything you need to know about the beloved global tournament.
The games begin on June 11th, when co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa in the opening match of the group stage. This will be the debut of the new 48-team format. There will be 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing the others once in a round-robin format across three matchdays.
A total of 32 teams will advance to the knockout stage. The top two teams from each group (24 total) will automatically qualify, along with the eight best third-place finishers based on points. From there, the tournament moves into five knockout rounds, leading up to the final, which takes place on July 19th at MetLife Stadium.
This World Cup will be the first ever hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Matches will take place across 16 cities: two in Canada, three in Mexico, and eleven in the United States. Excitingly, Philadelphia is one of the US cities lined up to host six matches, including a knockout game.
Several teams enter the tournament as favorites. France, the defending runner-ups, have one of the most formidable attacks led by stars, like the Ballon D’or winner Ousmane Dembélé and superstar Kylian Mbappé. Spain, the reigning European champions, feature top talents such as Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri and are predicted by many to go all the way.
Portugal will also be one to watch, especially as this year could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final chance to win a World Cup. The team is supported by a world class midfield including Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and João Neves.
Of course, the reigning champions Argentina will look to defend their title and potentially go back-to-back. Other strong contenders include Germany, Brazil, Morocco, and the Netherlands.
Excitement continues to build across North America (and the rest of the world) as this historic World Cup approaches, with hopes of growing the popularity of the beautiful game throughout the United States and beyond.
