The 2026 FIFA World Cup: A Historic Event Approaches
In exactly one year, the world of football will gather for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an edition that will mark a before and after in the history of the tournament. For the first time, the competition will take place in three countries: United States, Mexico, and Canada.
This event will be unique for several reasons, starting with the increase in the number of participants. A total of 48 national teams will compete for the title, which will also translate into a greater number of matches, reaching a total of 104 encounters.
The opening match will take place on June 11th at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The grand final, on the other hand, is scheduled for July 19th at MetLife Stadium, which during the tournament will be known as New York-New Jersey stadium.
The tournament will be played in 16 host cities, distributed as follows: 11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. The championship format will also present significant changes.
For the first time, there will be an initial phase with 12 groups of four teams each. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a new stage: the round of 32.
This new format implies that the champion team will have to play eight matches in total, one more than in previous editions.
Classified Selections and Title Aspirants
There are already several teams that have secured their participation in the 2026 World Cup. These include the hosts (USA, Mexico, and Canada), as well as Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador from South America. From Asia, powers like Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, and Uzbekistan have also guaranteed their place.
Africa will have nine direct spots and Europe 16. The participation of possible debutants such as Uzbekistan, Jordan, New Caledonia and Cape Verde is expected, teams that have achieved historical milestones in their classifications.
Venezuela will seek its first World Cup participation through the repechage.
Entries and Calendar
FIFA has already enabled registration for fans interested in purchasing tickets. The final schedule, with match times, will be announced after the official draw, scheduled for the end of this year.
Favorites and a Look Back
Argentina, current world champion after its victory in Qatar 2022, will seek to defend its title. Brazil, the country with the most titles in the history of the World Cups (5), is also emerging as one of the big favorites.
Germany, Italy, and France, national teams with a rich history in football, are also shaping up as important contenders.
