THE NEW OWNERS OF THE BALL: USA • MEX • CAN

Next June will mark one of the most important sporting events on the planet: the FIFA World Cup 2026™, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada — the first time the tournament will be staged across three countries and the first to feature an expanded field of 48 national teams.

The tournament will be played from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the final scheduled for MetLife Stadium in the New York / New Jersey metropolitan area.

With the draw completed, all 48 qualified nations now know their group-stage opponents in a format consisting of 12 groups of four teams. Each nation will play three matches, with the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-place teams advancing to the newly introduced Round of 32, making this the largest World Cup in history with 104 total matches.

A CONTINENT READY TO HOST

The three host nations are well advanced in their preparations for the World Cup. Stadium renovations are underway or completed, transportation and access infrastructure are being modernized, and fan-service operations are being coordinated at a continental level. Fully integrated into the global game, the United States, Mexico, and Canada now carry — in their colors — the pride of standing shoulder to shoulder with the best soccer nations in the world.

As FIFA President Gianni Infantino said when unveiling the final host-city selections:

“This will be the most inclusive and spectacular FIFA World Cup ever — a true celebration of football across an entire continent.”
— Gianni Infantino, June 16, 2022, FIFA.com, following the official announcement of the 16 host cities.

STADIUMS, HOST CITIES, AND GLOBAL STARS

Matches will take place in 16 host cities — 11 in the United States, three in Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey), and two in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver).

Historic venues such as Estadio Azteca — the only stadium to host three World Cups — will blend tradition with modern innovation, while U.S. showcases like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and AT&T Stadium in Dallas promise state-of-the-art matchday experiences.

The world’s elite players — Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Christian Pulisic, and many more — are expected to grace these fields, carrying the hopes of their nations in a competition that defines careers and generations.

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, SUPERCHARGED

A tournament of this magnitude would be nothing without the fans — the colors, chants, flags, tears, and joy that fill the stands. From North America to South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, the World Cup remains the rare global stage where cultures collide in celebration.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ is not just another tournament.

It is a statement: the game now belongs to the world — and North America is ready to host it.