When and Where Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start?

The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, Mexico. The opening match will feature Mexico vs. South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

The 2026 tournament marks the first time the World Cup is hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the expansion to 48 teams, the event will run for 39 days, making it the longest World Cup in history.

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Host Cities and Stadiums

United States

The United States will host 11 cities, including:

• Atlanta
• Boston
• Dallas
• Houston
• Kansas City
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• New Jersey/New York (joint host)
• Philadelphia
• Seattle
• San Francisco Bay Area

Canada

Canada will host 13 matches split between:

• Toronto (upgrade from 44,315 to 45,000 seats)
• Vancouver

Mexico

Mexico will also host 13 matches across:

• Mexico City
• Guadalajara
• Monterrey

Two stadiums are receiving upgrades ahead of the tournament: Boston Stadium ($225 million refurbishment) and Toronto Stadium (modest expansion).

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Defending Champions and Tournament Favorites

Argentina, winners of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, enter as the defending champions, having beaten France in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Top favorites for 2026 include:

• Spain (Euro 2024 champions, FIFA-ranked #1)
• Argentina (reigning World Cup champions)
• France (2022 runners-up, Kylian Mbappe-led)

Other strong contenders: Brazil, Portugal, England, Netherlands, Germany, Colombia, Croatia, Morocco, Mexico. Potential dark horses include Norway, Uruguay, and Egypt.

Messi and Ronaldo

Both Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) will play in 2026, likely marking their final World Cup appearances at ages 38 and 40, respectively.

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Tournament Format

With 48 teams, the World Cup will feature:

• 12 groups of 4 teams
• Round of 32 (an extra knockout round)
• Subsequent rounds: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final

The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

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Group Stage Overview

The group stage draw, held on December 5, 2025, is mostly complete, with six final slots determined via intercontinental playoffs. Some notable groups include:

• Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa + one team
• Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar + one team
• Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
• Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

Remaining playoff matches in March 2026 will determine the final six teams.

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Intercontinental Playoffs

Six teams will compete in Mexico in March 2026 for two spots, with seeded teams Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo awaiting winners from the semifinals.

Europe (UEFA) playoff paths feature 16 teams competing for four final spots, with home-and-away semifinals and finals.

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Tickets and Fan Access

Over 2 million tickets have already been sold. The main ticket ballot opens at 16:00 GMT on Thursday, running until January 13, 2026, followed by a lottery to allocate successful applications.

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Weather and Stadium Considerations

Summer heat and thunderstorms are a concern, as seen in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the US. Retractable roofs in Arlington, Atlanta, and Houston are expected to be closed due to heat, while Inglewood and Vancouver feature fixed roofs.