All You Need to Know About FIFA World Cup 2026: Dates, Teams, Venues & More

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest football tournament in history. For the first time, 48 nations will compete across three host countries in a groundbreaking expansion that promises more drama, more upsets, and more unforgettable moments than ever before.

From Messi and Ronaldo’s likely final World Cup to breakthrough talents like Lamine Yamal, from revolutionary new rules to the first-ever Super Bowl-style halftime show at a World Cup final, this guide covers absolutely everything you need to know about football’s greatest event.

When and Where Is the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This marks the first World Cup hosted by three nations simultaneously and the first North American World Cup since USA 1994.

The opening match features Mexico vs South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026.

All 16 Host Venues

Mexico becomes the first country to host or co-host the World Cup three times (1970, 1986, 2026), while Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium to host matches in three different World Cups.

New 48-Team Format Explained

The 2026 World Cup introduces a dramatically expanded format, increasing from 32 to 48 teams. This represents the most significant structural change in World Cup history since the tournament expanded to 32 teams in 1998.

How the New Format Works

The top two teams from each group advance automatically, plus the eight best third-placed teams across all groups. This creates a new Round of 32 knockout stage before the traditional Round of 16.

All 12 Groups: Complete Draw

The group stage draw took place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Here are all 12 groups with the 42 qualified teams plus the six remaining playoff spots.

Understanding how bookmakers assess group difficulty can help you identify value in group stage betting markets.

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group I

Group J

Group K

Group L

First-Time Qualifiers and Historic Returns

The expanded format has created history, with several nations making their World Cup debut:

First-time qualifiers:

• Curaçao – The smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup with just 156,000 population
• Cape Verde – African island nation making their debut
• Jordan – First World Cup appearance for the Middle Eastern nation
• Uzbekistan – Central Asian nation finally breaks through

Long-awaited returns:

• Haiti – First World Cup since 1974 (52-year gap)
• Austria, Norway, Scotland – First since 1998 (28-year gap)

Messi and Ronaldo: The Final Chapter

The 2026 World Cup will likely be the final tournament for two of football’s greatest ever players. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to become the first players in history to appear in six World Cups.

Messi’s World Cup Journey

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will turn 39 during the tournament. After finally lifting the trophy in Qatar 2022, Messi has hinted this could be his farewell: “I hope I can be there. At worst, I’ll be there watching it live, but it will be special.”

Ronaldo’s Last Dance

At 40 years old, Ronaldo remains Portugal’s talisman. Despite five World Cup appearances, the trophy has eluded him, with a semi-final in 2006 being his best finish. With 143 international goals, he’ll be desperate to add World Cup glory to his Euro 2016 triumph.

Could They Meet?

The draw has set up a tantalising possibility. If both Argentina (Group J) and Portugal (Group K) win their groups, they could meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City. Remarkably, despite decades of rivalry, Messi and Ronaldo have never faced each other in a competitive international match – only in friendlies in 2011 and 2014.

Key Players to Watch

Beyond the legendary duo, the 2026 World Cup will showcase the next generation of superstars. For detailed predictions on how these players will perform, check our daily best bets throughout the tournament.

New Rules and Innovations for 2026

FIFA has introduced several new rules and technology enhancements for the 2026 World Cup:

Confirmed New Rules

1. Mandatory Hydration Breaks

Every match will feature a 3-minute cooling break at the 22nd minute of each half. Unlike previous tournaments where breaks were weather-dependent, these are now mandatory for all games regardless of conditions.

2. Enhanced Semi-Automated Offside Technology

Building on Qatar 2022’s technology, the system now delivers sub-1-second offside decisions with 3D body volume modelling and direct alerts to assistant referees.

3. Referee Body Cameras

For the first time, referees will wear body cameras with footage fed to TV broadcasts and stadium screens, offering unprecedented transparency into decision-making.

4. New Draw Seeding Rule

The top four ranked teams (Spain, Argentina, France, England) cannot meet until the semi-finals, ensuring the biggest clashes happen in the latter stages.

Rules Under Consideration

• VAR intervention for second yellow card decisions
• VAR review for corner kick decisions
• 8-second “shot clock” for goalkeepers on goal kicks
• “Wenger Law” offside change (attacker must be completely ahead of defender)

Official Mascots: Maple, Zayu, and Clutch

For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament features three official mascots – one representing each host nation. Revealed on September 25, 2025, the trio will be playable characters in the upcoming FIFA Heroes video game.

Entertainment: Opening Ceremonies and Halftime Show

Three Opening Ceremonies

Another World Cup first: the tournament will feature three separate opening ceremonies across all three host nations:

• Mexico City – June 11, 2026 (before Mexico vs South Africa)
• Toronto – June 12, 2026
• Los Angeles – June 12, 2026

Super Bowl-Style Halftime Show

The 2026 final will feature the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup, similar to the Super Bowl. Coldplay has been announced as the curator, selecting the artist lineup for the historic performance at MetLife Stadium.

Official Music

The official FIFA theme was released in May 2023, with each of the 16 host cities creating unique “Sonic ID” remixes. Telemundo has also released “Somos Más” featuring Carlos Vives, Emilia, Wisin, and Xavi as their official Spanish-language anthem.

How to Watch: TV Channels and Streaming

The 2026 World Cup will be the most widely broadcast tournament in history, with coverage across every continent.

UK viewers benefit from a landmark deal ensuring free-to-air coverage through 2030. Both BBC and ITV will simulcast the final.

Ticket Information and Prices

Tickets are available through the official FIFA ticket portal. Prices have increased significantly compared to Qatar 2022:

Key differences from previous World Cups include dynamic pricing (fluctuating with demand), a 15% commission on FIFA’s resale platform, and a new $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” added after fan backlash.

Prize Money

FIFA has increased the total prize pool by 50% compared to Qatar 2022:

Technology: The Trionda Match Ball

Adidas has unveiled the official match ball named “Trionda” – meaning “three waves” in Spanish, representing the three host nations. The ball features:

• Red, blue, and green colour scheme representing USA, Mexico, and Canada
• Enhanced 500Hz sensor technology for precise tracking
• Innovative 4-panel construction for improved flight stability
• Connected ball technology feeding data to VAR systems

World Cup 2026 Betting Odds

Based on current betting odds, here are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup. For a deeper analysis of each contender, read our complete World Cup 2026 winner predictions.

Spain enters as favourites following their Euro 2024 triumph, while defending champions Argentina are further back due to concerns over Messi’s fitness and the squad’s age profile.

Looking to place your World Cup wagers? Check our guide to the best UK betting sites for competitive odds on outright winner markets.

Historical Firsts at World Cup 2026

This tournament will set numerous records:

• First 48-team World Cup
• First tournament hosted by three nations
• First North American World Cup since 1994
• First World Cup final halftime show
• First uniform mandatory hydration breaks
• First tournament with three official mascots
• First guaranteed berth for OFC (Oceania)
• Mexico becomes first country to host three times
• Estadio Azteca becomes first stadium to host in three World Cups
• Messi and Ronaldo become first players to appear in six World Cups

Key Dates

For daily match predictions throughout the tournament, bookmark our football predictions hub and join our free Telegram channel for instant tips.