The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history: for the first time, 48 national teams will take part in the world’s biggest sporting event. The tournament will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, spread across 16 stadiums in three countries. The group stage forms the foundation of the tournament: 12 groups of four teams each, 104 matches in total, and an exciting new format that also sees eight of the best third-placed teams progress to the round of 16.

48 teams will be divided into 12 groups. Each group consists of four teams, each of which will play three matches. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams from all twelve groups, will progress to the round of 32 – a first in World Cup history. This means that even third place has real value. 32 teams will then compete for the title in the knockout stages.

The tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026 with a historic opening match: Mexico will host South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This marks the first time in the history of the World Cup that three nations have co-hosted the tournament.

The final will take place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Greater New York Area) – the largest football stadium in the tournament.