2026 FIFA World Cup — USA, Mexico & Canada
June 11 – July 19, 2026 · 48 teams · 104 matches · 16 stadiums · 3 host nations
🇦🇷 Argentina enter as defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup.
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held jointly in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, the first hosted by three nations, and will feature 104 matches across 16 stadiums in 16 cities.
Mexico becomes the first country to host three times (1970, 1986, 2026). Canada hosts the men's tournament for the first time. The opening match is at Estadio Azteca (Mexico vs South Africa). The final is at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19.
Format: 12 groups of 4 teams. Top 2 + 8 best third-place teams advance to Round of 32. Draw held December 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
All 12 Groups
48 teams divided into 12 groups of 4. Top 2 from each group plus 8 best third-place teams advance to Round of 32.
Group A
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- 🇿🇦 South Africa
- 🇰🇷 South Korea
- 🇨🇿 Czechia
Group B
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 🇶🇦 Qatar
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
Group C
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇲🇦 Morocco
- 🇭🇹 Haiti
- 🏴 Scotland
Group D
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇵🇾 Paraguay
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇹🇷 Turkey
Group E
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇨🇼 Curaçao
- 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
- 🇪🇨 Ecuador
Group F
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇹🇳 Tunisia
Group G
- 🇧🇪 Belgium
- 🇪🇬 Egypt
- 🇮🇷 Iran
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Group H
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇨🇻 Cape Verde
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
- 🇺🇾 Uruguay
Group I
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇸🇳 Senegal
- 🇮🇶 Iraq
- 🇳🇴 Norway
Group J
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
- 🇩🇿 Algeria
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇯🇴 Jordan
Group K
- 🇵🇹 Portugal
- 🇨🇩 DR Congo
- 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
- 🇨🇴 Colombia
Group L
- 🏴 England
- 🇭🇷 Croatia
- 🇬🇭 Ghana
- 🇵🇦 Panama
World Cup Debutants
- 🇨🇻 Cape Verde — first World Cup appearance
- 🇨🇼 Curaçao — first World Cup appearance
- 🇯🇴 Jordan — first World Cup appearance
- 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — first World Cup appearance
Curaçao is the smallest country by area and least populous to ever qualify for the World Cup.
16 Host Stadiums
| Stadium | City | Country | Capacity | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Stadium (most matches) | Arlington, Texas | USA | 94,000 | 9 |
| Estadio Azteca (opening) | Mexico City | Mexico | 83,000 | 8 |
| MetLife Stadium (final) | East Rutherford, New Jersey | USA | 82,500 | 8 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | USA | 75,000 | 8 |
| GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | USA | 73,000 | 6 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | USA | 72,000 | 7 |
| Levi's Stadium | Santa Clara, California | USA | 71,000 | 6 |
| SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, California | USA | 70,000 | 8 |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | USA | 69,000 | 6 |
| Lumen Field | Seattle | USA | 69,000 | 6 |
| Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, Massachusetts | USA | 65,000 | 7 |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida | USA | 65,000 | 7 |
| BC Place | Vancouver | Canada | 54,000 | 7 |
| Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | Mexico | 53,500 | 5 |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | Mexico | 48,000 | 4 |
| BMO Field | Toronto | Canada | 45,000 | 6 |
Tournament Highlights
- First World Cup with 48 teams (expanded from 32)
- First World Cup hosted by three nations
- First tri-nation host in World Cup history
- 104 matches total (increased from 64)
- 12 groups of 4 teams each
- New Round of 32 knockout stage
- Top 2 plus 8 best third-place teams advance
- Mexico becomes first country to host 3 World Cups
- Canada's first time hosting men's World Cup
- USA hosting for second time (first in 1994)
- Draw held December 5, 2025 in Washington D.C.
- Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca
Historic Firsts
- First 48-team World Cup
- Most matches in World Cup history (104)
- First tri-nation host
- Mexico: First country to host 3 times
- Longest tournament: 39 days
- Most stadiums: 16 venues
- AT&T Stadium hosts most matches (9)
- First World Cup with Round of 32
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the 2026 World Cup unique?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams (expanded from 32), making it the largest World Cup in history. It will also be the first World Cup hosted by three nations (USA, Mexico, and Canada), with 104 matches played across 16 stadiums in 16 cities. The tournament introduces a new format with 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top 2 teams from each group plus the 8 best third-place teams advancing to a new Round of 32. Mexico will become the first country to host the World Cup three times (1970, 1986, 2026), while Canada will host the men's tournament for the first time.
How does the new 48-team format work?
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each (Groups A through L). Each team plays 3 group stage matches. The top 2 teams from each group (24 teams) automatically advance to the knockout stage, along with the 8 best third-place teams, creating a Round of 32. From there, the tournament follows a traditional knockout format: Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third Place match, and Final.
Which teams are making their World Cup debut in 2026?
Four teams will make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026: Cape Verde (Group H), Curaçao (Group E), Jordan (Group J), and Uzbekistan (Group K). Curaçao is the smallest country by area and least populous to ever qualify for the World Cup.
Where will the opening match and final be played?
The opening match will be played on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, featuring Mexico against South Africa. The final will be held on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas will host the most matches with 9 games.
How are the host nations distributed in the groups?
Mexico was placed in Group A and will play the opening match at Estadio Azteca on June 11. Canada was placed in Group B and will play on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. The United States was placed in Group D and will also play on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.