The premier international football competition, the FIFA World Cup, will make its return in 2026 with some significant changes. It will be hosted jointly by three countries, marking the first time in history that the tournament will be held across multiple nations. Additionally, the 2026 edition will feature an expanded format, with 48 teams competing for the coveted title.
FIFA World Cup 2026 host Countries
The United States: as one of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, has automatically qualified for the tournament, marking their second consecutive appearance. The team will aim to surpass their performance in the Round of 16 from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The upcoming tournament will be the 12th World Cup participation for the United States, and it will be their second time hosting the event after the successful hosting of the tournament in 1994. The United States’ best World Cup performance to date was in 1930 when they reached the semi-finals, marking a significant achievement for the nation.
Mexico: another co-host for the 2026 World Cup, will have the distinction of hosting the tournament for the third time. Their previous hosting opportunities were in 1970 and 1986. With these three hosting opportunities, Mexico holds the record for hosting the World Cup the most number of times by any country.
The upcoming World Cup will be Mexico’s 18th participation in the tournament. Their best performances in the World Cup have come on home soil, as they reached the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1986, showcasing their strength as a host nation.
Canada: completes the trio of host nations for the 2026 World Cup. This will be a historic moment for the Canadian team as it will be their first time participating in back-to-back World Cups. Previously, Canada had only qualified for the tournament in 1986 and 2022, but they were unable to advance past the group stage on both occasions.
The co-hosting arrangement for the 2026 World Cup among the United States, Mexico, and Canada promises an exciting tournament, with each nation bringing its own footballing heritage and passionate fan base to the event. Football enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the opportunity to witness these teams compete on home soil and create new memorable moments in World Cup history.
FIFA World Cup 2026 dates
This decision maintains the customary scheduling of the World Cup, allowing fans and football enthusiasts to look forward to a summer spectacle of the highest caliber. The tournament will unfold over several weeks, featuring thrilling matches and showcasing the skills of teams from around the globe. The final match, set for July 19, will determine the winner of the prestigious FIFA World Cup title.
FIFA World Cup 2026 participating teams
The 2026 World Cup will mark the first time in its history that 48 teams will participate, an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous seven editions since 1998. The allocation of slots for each continental confederation has already been determined as follows:
- AFC (Asia): Eight direct spots, along with one inter-confederation playoff place.
- CAF (Africa): Nine direct spots, along with one inter-confederation playoff place.
- Concacaf (North and Central America, plus the Caribbean): Six direct spots, along with two inter-confederation playoff places.
- CONMEBOL (South America): Six direct spots, along with one inter-confederation playoff place.
- OFC (Oceania): One direct spot, along with one inter-confederation playoff place.
- UEFA (Europe): 16 direct spots.
These allocations ensure representation from all major continental confederations, allowing teams from diverse regions to compete on the global stage. The expansion of the World Cup format will provide additional opportunities for nations across the world to qualify for and participate in the tournament, making it a more inclusive and globally representative event.
Host cities and venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
West region: Guadalajara, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Vancouver
Central region: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Mexico City, Monterrey
East region: Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto