The biggest sporting event on the planet is three weeks away. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — and this edition is unlike anything that has come before it. Three host countries. Forty-eight teams. One hundred and four matches across 39 days. Here is everything you need before the first whistle.
The Basics
The tournament runs from **June 11 to July 19, 2026**. For the first time in World Cup history, 48 teams are competing — up from 32 in previous editions. They are divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-place finishers advancing to a Round of 32, creating a knockout bracket that runs through to the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Three Host Nations
United States (11 cities): New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Kansas City, Houston, Philadelphia, and Miami. The final is at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Mexico (3 cities): Mexico City (Estadio Azteca — opening match venue), Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host matches at three separate men's World Cups.
Canada (2 cities): Toronto and Vancouver.
Key Dates
June 11 — Mexico vs. South Africa opens the tournament at Estadio Azteca, 3 p.m. ET (Fox)
June 12 — USA vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles; Canada vs. Bosnia in Toronto
June 13 — France vs. Senegal in Group I
June 22–26 — Final group stage matchdays
June 28 onward — Round of 32 begins
July 4 — Round of 16
July 9 — Quarterfinals
July 14–15 — Semifinals
July 19 — Final, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
The Favorites
France enter as bookmakers' favourite. With Kylian Mbappé anchoring the attack and squad depth that few nations can match, Les Bleus are the team most expected to reach the final. Runners-up in Qatar 2022, they will be highly motivated on North American soil.
Spain are defending champions after Qatar 2022 and arrive with a young, technically brilliant squad. Group H — which includes Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde — gives them a comfortable path to the knockouts.
Argentina and Lionel Messi— defending their 2022 title. Messi, now 38, is almost certainly playing his final World Cup. The emotional narrative surrounding his farewell tournament, combined with Argentina's squad quality, makes them a dangerous contender in every match.
England — with perhaps their most talented squad in a generation, they remain perpetually expected to go deep and perpetually finding ways to complicate the narrative.
Brazil and Germany carry the squad depth and tournament pedigree to reach any stage.
The Halftime Show
In a historic first, the 2026 World Cup Final will feature a halftime show. **Madonna, Shakira, and BTS** are confirmed performers — the three biggest names in their respective musical worlds, performing at the sport's biggest stage. The announcement generated coverage comparable to a Super Bowl halftime reveal.
How to Watch (United States)
Fox Sports and FS1 are the primary English-language broadcast homes. Most matches are on Fox (free over-the-air and on cable). Streaming is available via the Fox Sports app and Fubo TV. Spanish-language coverage airs on Telemundo and Universo.
The tournament starts June 11. If you have not been following soccer, this is the moment — 48 countries, 104 matches, a MetLife Stadium final, and a halftime show that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people.
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