FIFA World Cup
2026
The biggest sporting event in human history is here. Three nations. 16 venues. 48 teams. 104 matches. One trophy.
Overview
Why This World Cup Changes Everything
Every four years the world stops. Rivalries get set aside. Strangers become best friends in stadium stands. And 2026 is about to break every record that has ever existed in football.
This is the very first FIFA World Cup with 48 teams competing, up from 32 in 2022. That means 16 more nations get to show the world what they are made of. Countries like Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaรงao and Cape Verde will step onto the world stage for the very first time. Legends like Lionel Messi defending his title with Argentina, France's Kylian Mbappรฉ hunting glory, and England with Harry Kane still chasing that dream — it's all happening right now.
The USA last hosted in 1994 and set the all-time attendance record with 3.6 million fans. In 2026 that record is expected to be shattered. Three countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada — are joining forces in an unprecedented co-hosting arrangement, spreading the beautiful game across an entire continent.
Official emblem design — FIFA World Cup 2026™
The Co-Hosts
Three Nations One Dream
For the very first time in World Cup history three nations are sharing the hosting duties, each bringing its own football culture, passion and iconic stadiums to the table.
The USA carries the biggest share of the tournament with 11 host cities. All quarterfinals, semifinals and the grand final are played on American soil. The US team opens group play against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. America's soccer scene has exploded thanks to the MLS and a new generation of world-class players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
Mexico becomes the first nation ever to host three different World Cups. The iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City also becomes the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches. El Tri kicks things off June 11 against South Africa in front of a roaring home crowd. Mexico has three venues: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Canada hosts a men's World Cup for the very first time with venues in Toronto and Vancouver. Les Rouges open against Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field on June 12. With Alphonso Davies leading the charge, Canada is hungry to prove itself on home soil in front of passionate fans coast to coast.
The Arenas
16 Iconic Stadiums
From the legendary Azteca to the ultra-modern MetLife, these world-class arenas will host the drama. Click a region to explore the venues.
Event Calendar
The Road to Glory
From the opening whistle to the final trophy lift, here is how the 39-day tournament unfolds.
Official Anthem
The Sound of 2026
Every World Cup needs an anthem that makes the world move together. This year it's Shakira doing it again.
Shakira — who gave us the legendary "Waka Waka" in 2010 — is back with a massive new anthem featuring Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy. The official music video filmed at Brazil's iconic Maracanรก features cameos from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappรฉ, Erling Haaland, Vinรญcius Jr, Christian Pulisic, Harry Kane and more of the world's biggest stars.
Shakira will also headline the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show on July 19 alongside pop icons Madonna and K-pop megastars BTS. Coldplay's Chris Martin is curating the entire Super Bowl-style spectacular.
All 48 Nations
The Teams of the World
48 nations. Over 1000 players. 4 first-time World Cup debutants. Browse by confederation to meet every team making the trip to North America.
Note: Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup — one of the biggest shocks in football history.
With a population of just 185,000 people, Curaรงao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
For the very first time in World Cup history the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has a guaranteed direct qualifying slot. New Zealand earns their place without needing to go through intercontinental playoffs.
Fan Excitement
The World is Ready
From every corner of the planet fans are counting down the days. Here is a sense of just how fired up the world is right now.
The 1994 World Cup in the USA still holds the all-time attendance record at 3.6 million fans — a number expected to be absolutely shattered in 2026 with 104 matches across three massive countries. The prize pool alone has jumped over 50% from 2022, pushing past $870 million total — meaning winning the trophy is worth hundreds of millions to a national football federation.
Getting In
Ticket Prices
FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning prices rise with demand just like airline seats. Here is what you can expect to pay for each stage of the tournament.
| Round | Category 1 (Best) | Category 2 | Category 3 | Category 4 (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | $345–$620 | $260–$465 | $120–$215 | $60–$105 |
| Round of 32 | $370–$665 | $280–$500 | $135–$240 | $105–$185 |
| Round of 16 | $590–$890 | $450–$675 | $220–$330 | $170–$220 |
| Quarterfinals | $1,125–$1,690 | $765–$1,150 | $485–$725 | $275–$410 |
| Semifinals | $2,565–$2,780 | $1,775–$1,920 | $660–$720 | $420–$455 |
| 3rd Place Match | $1,000 | $715 | $360 | $165 |
| ๐ THE FINAL | $6,730+ | $4,230 | $2,790 | $2,030 |
FIFA has also introduced a new "Front Category" premium tier at up to $10,990 per seat for sideline lower-deck seats. A study by AceOdds suggests that following a national team from the group stage all the way to the final could cost two fans around $61,000 total including flights, hotels and food. But you can still get into group-stage matches for as little as $60 in the upper corner sections — making this the most accessible World Cup ever for budget fans too.
Did You Know?
Wild Facts About WC 2026
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City becomes the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches — 1970, 1986 and now 2026. No other venue even comes close.
Curaรงao with a population of just 185,000 people becomes the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. That is smaller than most American cities.
Four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive tournament — one of the most stunning absences in football history. The Azzurri are watching from their couch again.
FIFA's prize pool for 2026 has jumped more than 50% compared to 2022. The winning team walks away with a life-changing sum. Even teams eliminated in the group stage take home millions.
A record 8 Arab nations are competing in 2026 thanks to the expanded 48-team format, making this the most diverse World Cup in the tournament's 96-year history.
The distance between BC Place in Vancouver and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is roughly 4,500 kilometers — making this the most geographically spread-out World Cup ever organized.
FIFA is doing a Super Bowl-style halftime show for the World Cup Final for the very first time. Madonna, Shakira and BTS with Coldplay's Chris Martin curating the whole thing. Nothing like it has ever happened at a World Cup.
Because of the new Round of 32, any team wanting to lift the trophy now has to win 8 consecutive matches — the most ever in a single World Cup. There is no room for even one bad night.
Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina are back. At 38 years old, this could be Messi's last World Cup and a final chance to make it back to back. The world is watching.
The Grand Finale
July 19 · MetLife Stadium
Everything builds to one night. One stadium. One trophy. Here is everything planned for the biggest match in the world.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — officially renamed "New York New Jersey Stadium" for the tournament — will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. The 82,500-capacity stadium opened in 2010, cost $1.6 billion to build, and previously hosted the Copa America Centenario Final in 2016. For the first time ever real grass will be installed at the stadium specifically for the tournament.
FIFA is transforming the World Cup Final into an experience closer to the Super Bowl than any previous football match. The halftime show with Shakira, Madonna and BTS is set to be watched by over a billion people live. The Global Citizen Education Fund — which aims to raise $100 million for children's education and soccer access worldwide — will be the show's official charitable cause.
Final Word
This Is More Than Football
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just a tournament. It is 48 nations believing they can be the best in the world. It is kids watching at 3am with their parents because the match is on. It is strangers hugging in the stands after an injury-time winner. It is the most powerful reminder that no matter where you are from you can still dream the same dream.
⚽ The Beautiful Game Awaits