Football’s biggest show is being staged across a continent. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on 11 June and runs to 19 July 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — the first time three countries have shared the tournament. It is also the biggest World Cup ever: 48 teams, 104 matches across 16 cities, and a format that rewrites everything fans thought they knew about the competition.

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams was approved by FIFA in 2017 and doubles the knockout drama. The 48 qualifiers are divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group advance, joined by the eight best third-placed teams, into a brand-new round of 32. From there it is straight knockout football: round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final. The champions will have played eight matches instead of the traditional seven, and the tournament spans 39 days of football.

The hosts and the schedule

The three co-hosts qualified automatically, as is tradition for host nations. The opening match was played at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June — the third time the legendary stadium has hosted a World Cup opener. Of the 104 matches, 78 are being played across 11 cities in the United States, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico. The group stage ran from 11 to 27 June, followed by the round of 32, the round of 16, quarter-finals in the United States, semi-finals in Dallas and Atlanta, and the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July — complete with a half-time show, a first for a World Cup final.

Key dates and facts

• 11 June 2026: opening match at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
• 11–27 June: group stage across 16 host cities.
• 28 June–3 July: round of 32 (a brand-new stage).
• 4–7 July: quarter-finals, all in the United States.
• 14–15 July: semi-finals in Dallas and Atlanta.
• 19 July: the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
• 48 teams, 104 matches: up from 32 teams and 64 matches in 2022.

Whether the expanded format dilutes quality or democratises the sport’s crown jewel, one thing is certain: never before have so many nations, cities and fans been part of a single World Cup.

Source: DAZN