This edition will bring a major change with the expansion to 48 teams, organized into 12 groups of four. With more matches and a new qualification system, the format promises more excitement and opportunities. In total, 104 games will be played, and the champion will have to play eight matches instead of seven.
The wait is getting shorter for the world of soccer to come to a standstill with a new World Cup, which, for the first time in history, will be played in three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
While the tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Estadio Ciudad de México (Azteca), with El Tri facing an opponent yet to be determined, the World Cup action will begin in December this year with the draw that will determine the groups, featuring some unique aspects.
The United States won the bid over Canada and Mexico and will host the draw in December, though the exact location has yet to be determined. However, the event will not take place in any of the cities that will host tournament matches.
The selected host cities in the U.S. are: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey/New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
How the 2026 World Cup will unfold
The 2026 World Cup will mark a turning point. It will be the first edition to feature 48 teams, significantly increasing the number of participants compared to the 32 that competed in recent tournaments.
With this new format, teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, instead of the traditional eight groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. This means the knockout stage will begin earlier, leading to more decisive matches throughout the tournament.
This structural change will increase the total number of matches from 64 to 104, extending the tournament’s duration and providing more opportunities for teams that previously struggled to qualify. Unlike the last World Cup, where Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar, the champion in 2026 will have to play eight matches instead of seven.
