DID Press: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026, featuring a record 48 national teams and joint hosting by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the largest edition of the tournament in history.
According to FIFA, the competition will include 104 matches played across 16 host cities. The opening match is scheduled to take place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium.
For the first time, the tournament field has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. The participating nations will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group and the best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage, which will begin with a Round of 32.
The group stage will run through June 27, followed by the knockout rounds, including the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final.
The 2026 edition will also be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three countries, with the United States staging the majority of the matches.
FIFA officials have described the tournament as the biggest and most expansive World Cup ever, aimed at increasing global participation and enhancing international football competition.