FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, 2026 with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament runs 39 days, concluding with the final on July 19, 2026.

For the first time ever, the World Cup features 48 teams — expanded from 32. They are split into 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 from each group plus the 8 best third-place finishers advancing to the Round of 32.

The World Cup 2026 is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — the first World Cup hosted by three nations simultaneously, across 16 host cities.

The final takes place on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — one of the largest stadiums in North America with a capacity of over 82,000.

Free streaming options vary by country. Public broadcasters offer free live coverage in many territories — including BBC and ITV in the UK, SBS in Australia, and others. See our free streaming guide for your country.

Spain lead the market as slight favourites, followed by France, England, Brazil and Argentina. Portugal and Germany are considered strong dark horses. See our predictions and betting odds for the latest.

There are 104 matches total — 72 group stage matches (12 groups × 6 each), then the knockout rounds from the Round of 32 through to the final, plus the third-place play-off.

Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA's ticketing portal. Third-party resale is also available. See our complete tickets guide for how to buy, resale options and what to expect on prices.

The 48 teams are drawn into 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 matches. The top 2 from each group (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-place teams advance — giving 32 teams in the knockout round.

The opening ceremony takes place on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, starting at 1:30 PM ET (18:30 UTC) — 90 minutes before kick-off. Headlined by Shakira, Burna Boy, J Balvin, Tyla and more. Full details on our opening ceremony page.

The official song is "Dai Dai" by Shakira & Burna Boy, performed live at the opening ceremony on June 11 at Estadio Azteca. Check our World Cup songs page for the full soundtrack and past anthems.