How the 2026 World Cup works
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams (up from 32), spread across three countries (US, Mexico and Canada) with 104 matches across 16 venues. The final is on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Group stage format
- 12 groups of 4 teams (instead of 8 groups of 4).
- Each team plays 3 group games.
- The top 2 from each group advance, plus the 8 best third-placed teams = 32 teams to the round of 32.
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| Round | Teams | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 32 | 16 |
| Round of 16 | 16 | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 8 | 4 |
| Semi-finals | 4 | 2 |
| Third place | 2 | 1 |
| Final | 2 | 1 |
From the round of 32 onwards everything is single elimination. If tied after 90 minutes, two extra-time periods of 15 minutes are played, then a penalty shootout.
Host cities
| Country | Cities |
|---|---|
| United States | 11 (New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle, Kansas City, Houston, San Francisco) |
| Mexico | 3 (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) |
| Canada | 2 (Toronto, Vancouver) |
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City opens the tournament on June 11, 2026. It becomes the first stadium to host matches at three different World Cups (1970, 1986 and 2026).
Key dates
- Opening match: June 11, 2026
- End of group stage: June 27
- Round of 16: June 28 – July 3
- Quarter-finals: July 9 and 11
- Semi-finals: July 14 and 15
- Final: July 19
FAQ
How many matches does the champion play? Eight: 3 in the group stage + 5 in the knockouts (round of 32, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final).
Why did FIFA expand from 32 to 48 teams? To give more representation to the Asian, African and Oceanic confederations.
Which teams qualify automatically? The three hosts (US, Mexico and Canada).
Will there be VAR? Yes, VAR is still active for every match at the 2026 World Cup.
Want to master football and the 2026 World Cup? Test your knowledge with Football One Quiz, the official app for iOS and Android.
