Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 FIFA World Cup

It’s hard to believe that we are already closer on the calendar to the 2026 FIFA World Cup than we are to Argentina winning its third championship in a hastily constructed football stadium in Qatar. The next World Cup will be much different than the 2022 installment.

The selection of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup was controversial from the outset. It’s a small country with a brutally hot summer and, at the time, very few arenas equipped to host World Cup matches. Throw in bribery allegations and human rights violations from the construction of those arenas, and the entire tournament had an ominous cloud hanging over it. The host nations of the 2026 World Cup are far different than Qatar. Their selection to host the event didn’t have the same backlash since they already had the resources to host the World Cup. Although there are some concerns about the temperature, it won’t be as big of an obstacle as in Qatar. So, it’s safe to say that the 2026 tournament will have far fewer controversies than its predecessor, provided a certain country doesn’t bar international fans and players from its borders.

We may not know how that will turn out, but there is still a lot about the 2026 World Cup we already know, even though it is more than a year away from beginning. Hosting an event of this magnitude takes years of careful planning. If you’re hoping to attend a match or get really hyped for major global sporting events, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup.

Where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?

For the first time, three different countries will host the World Cup: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The United States will be the main host and site of most matches, including every match from the quarterfinals to the finals. In total, 16 venues in different cities will be used for matches, with 11 of those cities located in the US. The venues that will host matches are as follows:

United States

• MetLife Stadium - East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York area)
• AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area)
• GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City, Missouri
• NRG Stadium - Houston, Texas

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta, Georgia
• SoFi Stadium - Inglewood, California (Los Angeles area)
• Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Lumen Field - Seattle, Washington
• Levi’s Stadium - Santa Clara, California (San Francisco Bay Area)

• Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, Massachusetts (Boston area)
• Hard Rock Stadium - Miami Gardens, Florida (Miami area)

Canada

• BC Place - Vancouver, British Columbia
• BMO Field - Toronto, Ontario

Mexico

• Estadio Azteca - Coyoacán, Mexico City
• Estadio BBVA - Guadalupe, Nuevo León
• Estadio Akron - Zapopan, Jalisco

Where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final be held?

The FIFA World Cup Final will be at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

When will the 2026 World Cup be held?

The first match will take place on June 11, 2026, and the FIFA World Cup Final will be held on July 19, 2026. The group stage round will be from June 11 to 27.

Can you buy 2026 World Cup tickets yet?

FIFA has released limited information on 2026 World Cup tickets; however, we know they will be available sometime this fall. In an effort to increase sales for the 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA recently announced that purchasing a ticket package for the event will guarantee the recipient an opportunity to buy a ticket for a World Cup match.

Anyone interested in attending a World Cup match can sign up for updates on ticket sales at the official FIFA website.

How many countries will be in the 2026 World Cup?

In total, 48 different nations will be competing in the 2026 World Cup.

Which countries are banned from the 2026 World Cup?

Three countries are banned from competing in the 2026 World Cup: Russia, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Russia has been banned from FIFA and UEFA Europa League competitions since invading Ukraine in February 2022. FIFA suspended the Pakistan Football Federation after they were unable to pass legislation that aimed to ensure fair and democratic elections. The DRC is banned due to third-party interference in the affairs of the Congolese Football Association.

Eritrea is not banned from competing by FIFA, however, they announced withdrawal from consideration early on due to fears that their players would seek political asylum during the competition.

Which countries have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

As of May 2025, seven countries have secured their spot in the World Cup. Along with the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Iran, and Argentina have all qualified.

When will we know all the countries that will be competing in the World Cup?

Qualifiers will be taking place throughout 2025. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Confederation of African Football (CAF), Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), South American Football Confederation (known as CONMEBOL), Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC), and Union of European Football Association (UEFA) are holding qualifiers for countries in their respective regions.

By the end of the year, we will know 42 of the 48 teams that will be competing in the World Cup. The remaining six teams will be determined via the FIFA World Cup Play-off Tournament and UEFA Play-offs during March 2026. The teams competing in those play-offs will consist of nations from the 2025 qualifiers who didn’t secure a World Cup spot but played well enough for a play-off spot. Two teams from the FIFA Play-Off Tournament will advance to the World Cup, while the UEFA Play-Offs will send the final four teams.

Who is the smallest country that will be at the 2026 World Cup?

While we do not yet know all the countries that will be competing in the World Cup, there is a chance that New Caledonia could qualify. The small island is a French territory about 1,210 km (or 750 miles) east of Australia and has a population of a little over 270,000. They weren’t admitted to FIFA until 2004 and have yet to qualify for a World Cup. However, they may face issues off the pitch, as the country has recently endured a slew of political turmoil.

Which countries have won a World Cup?

Although 2026 will mark the 23rd World Cup in history, only eight countries have ever hoisted the cup. Brazil leads the way with five championships, followed by Italy (4), Germany (4, one as West Germany), Argentina (3), France (2), Uruguay (2), Spain (1), and England (1).

What Group is the United States in for the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will consist of 12 Groups, A to L. The three host countries will all be in different groups: Mexico in Group A, Canada in Group B, and the United States in Group D.

Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup?

Although he did not play in the qualifiers, Messi should be with Team Argentina for his sixth World Cup in 2026. He will become the first player to appear in six World Cups, although his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, will likely also be appearing in his sixth World Cup in 2026.

Who is hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup?

The 2030 World Cup will once again be hosted by three different countries: Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. It will be the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup played in 1930.

What is the match schedule for the 2026 World Cup?

Group Play

6/11/2026

Match #1 - Group A in Mexico City

Match #2 - Group A in Guadalajara

6/12/2026

Match #3 - Group B in Toronto

Match #4 - Group D in Los Angeles

6/13/2026

Match #5 - Group C in Boston

Match #6 - Group D in Vancouver

Match #7 - Group C in New Jersey/New York

Match #8 - Group B in San Francisco Bay Area

6/14/2026

Match #9 - Group E in Philadelphia

Match #10 - Group E in Houston

Match #11 - Group F in Dallas

Match #12 - Group F in Monterrey

6/15/2026

Match #13 - Group H in Miami

Match #14 - Group H in Atlanta

Match #15 - Group G in Los Angeles

Match #16 - Group G in Seattle

6/16/2026

Match #17 - Group I in New Jersey/New York

Match #18 - Group I in Boston

Match #19 - Group J in Kansas City

Match #20 - Group J in San Francisco Bay Area

6/17/2026

Match #21 - Group L in Toronto

Match #22 - Group L in Dallas

Match #23 - Group K in Houston

Match #24 - Group K in Mexico City

6/18/2026

Match #25 - Group A in Atlanta

Match #26 - Group B in Los Angeles

Match #27 - Group B in Vancouver

Match #28 - Group A in Guadalajara

6/19/2026

Match #29 - Group C in Philadelphia

Match #30 - Group C in Boston

Match #31 - Group D in San Francisco Bay Area

Match #32 - Group D in Seattle

6/20/2026

Match #33 - Group E in Toronto

Match #34 - Group E in Kansas City

Match #35 - Group F in Houston

Match #36 - Group F in Monterrey

6/21/2026

Match #37 - Group H in Miami

Match #38 - Group H in Atlanta

Match #39 - Group G in Los Angeles

Match #40 - Group G in Vancouver

6/22/2026

Match #41 - Group I in New Jersey/New York

Match #42 - Group I in Philadelphia

Match #43 - Group J in Dallas

Match #44 - Group J in San Francisco Bay Area

6/23/2026

Match #45 - Group L in Boston

Match #46 - Group L in Toronto

Match #47 - Group K in Houston

Match #48 - Group K in Guadalajara

6/24/2026

Match #49 - Group C in Miami

Match #50 - Group C in Atlanta

Match #51 - Group B in Vancouver

Match #52 - Group B in Seattle

Match #53 - Group A in Mexico City

Match #54 - Group A in Monterrey

6/25/2026

Match #55 - Group E in Philadelphia

Match #56 - Group E in New Jersey/New York

Match #57 - Group F in Dallas

Match #58 - Group F in Kansas City

Match #59 - Group D in Los Angeles

Match #60 - Group D in San Francisco Bay Area

6/26/2026

Match #61 - Group I in Boston

Match #62 - Group I in Toronto

Match #63 - Group G in Seattle

Match #64 - Group G in Vancouver

Match #65 - Group H in Houston

Match #66 - Group H in Guadalajara

6/27/2026

Match #67 - Group L in New Jersey/New York

Match #68 - Group L in Philadelphia

Match #69 - Group J in Kansas City

Match #70 - Group J in Dallas

Match #71 - Group K in Miami

Match #72 - Group K in Atlanta

Round of 32

6/28/2026

Match #73 - Group A runners-up vs. Group B runners-up in Los Angeles

6/29/2026

Match #74 - Group E winners vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place in Boston

Match #75 - Group F winners vs. Group C runners-up in Monterrey

Match #76 - Group C winners vs. Group F runners-up in Houston

6/30/2026

Match #77 - Group I winners vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place in New Jersey/New York

Match #78 - Group E runners-up vs. Group I runners-up in Dallas

Match #79 - Group A winners vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place in Mexico City

7/1/2026

Match #80 - Group L winners vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place in Atlanta

Match #81 - Group D winners vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place in San Francisco Bay Area

Match #82 - Group G winners vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place in Seattle

7/2/2026

Match #83 - Group K runners-up vs. Group L runners-up in Toronto

Match #84 - Group H winners vs. Group J runners-up in Los Angeles

Match #85 - Group B winners vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place in Vancouver

7/3/2026

Match #86 - Group J winners vs. Group H runners-up in Miami

Match #87 - Group K winners vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place in Kansas City

Match #88 - Group D runners-up vs. Group C runners-up in Dallas

Round of 16

7/4/2026

Match #89 - Winner Match #74 vs. Winner Match #77 in Philadelphia

Match #90 - Winner Match #73 vs. Winner Match #75 in Houston

7/5/2026

Match #91 - Winner Match #76 vs. Winner Match #78 in New Jersey/New York

Match #92 - Winner Match #79 vs. Winner Match #80 in Mexico City

7/6/2026

Match #93 - Winner Match #83 vs. Winner Match #84 in Dallas

Match #94 - Winner Match #81 vs. Winner Match #82 in Seattle

7/7/2026

Match #95 - Winner Match #86 vs. Winner Match #88 in Atlanta

Match #96 - Winner Match #85 vs. Winner Match #87 in Vancouver

Quarter-finals

7/9/2026

Match #97 - Winner Match #89 vs. Winner Match #90 in Boston

7/10/2026

Match #98 - Winner Match #93 vs. Winner Match #94 in Los Angeles

7/11/2026

Match #99 - Winner Match #91 vs. Winner Match #92 in Miami

Match #100 - Winner Match #95 vs. Winner Match #96 in Kansas City

Semi-finals

7/14/2026

Match #101 - Winner Match #97 vs. Winner Match #98 in Dallas

7/15/2026

Match #102 - Winner Match #99 vs. Winner Match #100 in Atlanta

Bronze final

7/18/2026

Match #103 - Loser Match #101 vs. Loser Match #102 in Miami