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By Seyi Babalola
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest tournament in football history.
For the first time, the competition will feature 48 teams, be hosted by three countries, and include more matches than any previous edition.
Football fans around the world are already counting down to what promises to be a landmark tournament showcasing new stadiums, expanded participation, and historic moments.
Daily Sun brings to you a complete guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
The 2026 tournament will be the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup and will introduce several major changes to the global football showpiece.
Three nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the tournament, making it the first World Cup to be staged across three countries.
It will also be the first edition to feature 48 national teams instead of the traditional 32.
The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The opening match will take place at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. At the same time, the final will be held at MetLife Stadium, officially branded for the tournament as New York New Jersey Stadium.
Why the tournament was expanded
FIFA approved the expansion from 32 to 48 teams to allow more countries from different continents to participate in football’s biggest competition.
The expansion means:
- More nations will experience the World Cup
- Smaller football countries now have better qualification chances
- More matches and commercial opportunities for FIFA
- Greater global representation
The 2026 tournament will feature 104 matches, compared to 64 matches in Qatar 2022.
The tournament will feature:
- 48 teams
- 12 groups of four teams each
- The top two teams from every group qualify automatically
- The eight best third-placed teams also advance
- The above creates a round of 32 before the traditional Round of 16
How the knockout stage works
After the group stage:
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Final
The team that reaches the final will now play eight matches instead of seven.
Host countries and host cities
The tournament will be played across 16 host cities.
Host cities in the United States:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York City/New Jersey area
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
Host Cities in Canada:
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- Toronto
- Vancouver
Host cities in Mexico:
- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
Stadiums to host matches
Some of the world’s biggest stadiums will host games during the tournament.
Notable venues include:
- Estadio Azteca
- SoFi Stadium
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Hard Rock Stadium
- AT&T Stadium
- BC Place
- BMO Field
Estadio Azteca makes history
Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium in history to host World Cup matches in three different tournaments, having previously staged games in 1970 and 1986.
The legendary stadium hosted iconic moments involving Pelé and Diego Maradona.
Defending Champions
Argentina will enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating France in the dramatic 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
The competition could also mark the final World Cup appearance for several legendary footballers, including Lionel Messi and possibly Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ticket information
FIFA has already opened registration portals for fans interested in tickets. Supporters can register interest through fifa.com.
Demand is expected to break records, with millions of applications likely for the final and knockout matches.
Prize money
Reports indicate the overall prize money could exceed $655 million, with the winners expected to receive around $50 million.
Every participating country is also expected to receive preparation funds and participation fees.
What makes the 2026 World Cup unique
- The first World Cup hosted by three countries
- The first 48-team World Cup
- The biggest tournament in FIFA history
- The longest World Cup ever in terms of total matches
- The most commercially ambitious football tournament ever staged
- The competition is expected to attract billions of viewers globally and millions of travelling fans across North America.
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be a transformational moment in football history.
With more teams, more matches, new host nations, and unprecedented global attention, the tournament is expected to redefine the scale of international football.
From iconic stadiums in Mexico to packed arenas in the United States and Canada, the event promises six weeks of elite football drama and worldwide celebration of the sport.
