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File photo shows Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrating after scoring his side’s opening goal against Bolivia during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition yet, featuring 104 matches and 48 teams, played across 13 host cities in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, marking a historic start for the global event.
The first matches in Canada (Toronto) and the USA (Los Angeles) will take place on June 12, with Los Angeles also set to host the upcoming Olympics.
The quarter-finals are scheduled to begin on July 9 in Boston, while the semi-finals will be played on July 14 in Dallas and July 15 in Atlanta. Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will host the bronze final on July 18. The tournament will culminate with the grand final on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
With an estimated 5 billion viewers globally, FIFA anticipates record ticket sales. To manage demand, online registration for ticket interest has already started, and registered users will be the first to receive notifications when ticket sales begin. This massive event is set to redefine the scale of international soccer.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, no new stadiums are being built specifically for the event. Instead, existing venues in the 16 selected host cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada will undergo upgrades to meet FIFA standards.
Notable renovations include expansions in seating capacity and adjustments to field dimensions, as well as improvements in fan facilities and amenities. For example, Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, Arlington’s AT&T Stadium, and Toronto’s BMO Field are among the stadiums scheduled for significant updates.
BMO Field, in particular, needs to nearly triple its capacity to meet FIFA’s requirements.
The 2026 World Cup format will also see another significant change. Gone is the previous 16 groups of three teams format; instead, the tournament will now feature 12 groups of four teams. This adjustment increases the number of matches each team plays from seven to eight, from the group stage to the final.
Under the new format, the top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the round of 32. Additionally, the eight best third-place teams will also advance, expanding the knockout stage to 32 teams. This revised structure promises more intense group stage matches and a thrilling knockout phase.
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