It’s finally here. The moment we’ve been waiting for. The FIFA 2026 World Cup.
With the World Cup kickoff just moments away, here’s everything you need to know about this summer’s exciting tournament.
This event is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where 16 cities will hold a combined 104 matches, making the 2026 tournament larger than any previous World Cup. Mexico will make history as this will be the third World Cup they have hosted, with the United States hosting their second, and Canada historically hosting their first. The opening game will kick off the tournament in Mexico City on June 11th, and the final will be hosted in New York, New Jersey, on July 19th.
This year, FIFA has introduced a new format which will involve 48 teams – the largest number in the history of the competition. They are being organised into 12 groups of 4 labelled A through L for the group stage. Every team will play 3 group stage games, facing each opponent in their group once. Below you will find the list of all the teams that have qualified for the tournament and their assigned group.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
| Mexico | Canada | Brazil | United States |
| South Africa | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Morocco | Paraguay |
| South Korea | Qatar | Haiti | Australia |
| Czech Republic | Switzerland | Scotland | Turkey |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
| Germany | Netherlands | Belgium | Spain |
| Curaçao | Japan | Egypt | Cabo Verde |
| Ivory Coast | Sweden | Iran | Saudi Arabia |
| Ecuador | Tunisia | New Zealand | Uruguay |
| Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
| France | Argentina | Portugal | England |
| Senegal | Algeria | DR Congo | Croatia |
| Iraq | Austria | Uzbekistan | Ghana |
| Tunisia | Jordan | Colombia | Panama |
The top two teams, along with the 8 best third place teams with the highest number of points, will then progress to the Round of 32. From there, a win will advance them to the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and eventually the final.
With the action kicking off immediately, the opening days feature historic debuts and massive matchups across all three host nations. Set your alarms for these openers:
- Mexico vs. South Africa (Thursday, June 11) – The historic first game of the tournament held at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Friday, June 12) – Canada’s massive moment as they open their campaign on home soil in Toronto.
- USA vs. Paraguay (Friday, June 12) – The USMNT takes centre stage under the lights in Los Angeles.
- Brazil vs. Morocco (Saturday, June 13) – A blockbuster early clash at the MetLife Stadium between South American giants and Africa’s dangerous disrupters.
The winner of the tournament will lift the iconic World Cup trophy on July 19th and be crowned the best team in the world. With the highest odds, Spain is the slight favourite to win, but they are closely followed by France, England, Brazil, Portugal, and Argentina, the 2022 World Cup winner, but of course everything can change between now and the final.
With lots to play for, this summer’s World Cup promises lots of football, wins, and surprises. Let the games begin.
Leave a Reply