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The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the first tournament to feature 48 teams competing across three nations.
The tournament begins on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium and concludes on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, marking a significant expansion from the traditional 32-team format.
The tournament's expansion has opened doors for nations previously unable to qualify.
Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have qualified for the World Cup for the first time, joining established football nations from six continents.
The tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 venues in four time zones.
The United States will host 78 matches, while Mexico and Canada will each host additional fixtures.
The expanded format reflects the sport's global growth and FIFA's strategic push to increase tournament revenue. FIFA earned $7 billion from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and projects the 2026 tournament will generate $11 billion, a 57 percent increase.
The 16 stadiums vary in capacity, with Dallas Stadium as the largest at 94,000 seats and Toronto Stadium as the smallest at 45,000.
United States:
Mexico:
Canada:
The group stage comprises 72 matches over 16 days, with fixtures spread across multiple time zones to accommodate audiences worldwide.
Group A Opener June 11, Thursday: Mexico versus South Africa, Mexico City Stadium, 10 p.m. (7 p.m. GMT)
Expansion Nations' Debuts June 14, Saturday: Australia versus Türkiye, BC Place Vancouver Stadium, 3 a.m. (midnight GMT)
Türkiye's Fixtures in Group D June 14, Saturday: Australia versus Türkiye, BC Place Vancouver Stadium, 3 a.m. (midnight GMT)
June 20, Saturday: Türkiye versus Paraguay, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, 2 a.m. (11 p.m. GMT on June 19)
June 26, Friday: Türkiye versus United States, Los Angeles Stadium, 1 a.m. (10 p.m. GMT on June 25)
The tournament advances through knockout rounds, starting with the Round of 32 on June 28. Semi-finals are scheduled for July 14-15, with the third-place match and final on July 19.
Final Match July 19, Sunday: Championship final, New York New Jersey Stadium, 10 p.m. Istanbul time (7 p.m. GMT)
The 104-match format expands broadcasting opportunities across multiple markets and time zones, ensuring prime-time coverage for audiences in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
FIFA projects $11 billion in revenue, reflecting strong commercial appeal and a commitment to expanding the World Cup’s global reach through increased participation and broader distribution.
The 2026 tournament represents a pivotal moment in football, balancing expanded competition with logistical challenges across three countries and multiple time zones.
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