2026 FIFA World Cup to break records as North America hosts 48 teams
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place across North America, with matches spread between the United States, Mexico and Canada. This edition will be the largest in sports history, featuring 48 teams and 104 games over 39 days. Organisers expect record-breaking crowds as the tournament unfolds in 16 host cities. The United States will serve as the main host, providing 11 venues—most originally built for the NFL. These stadiums have undergone upgrades to meet FIFA requirements, including resizing pitches and replacing artificial turf with natural grass. The country will also stage all knockout matches from the quarterfinals to the final.
Mexico and Canada will share high-profile fixtures, including group-stage games and key opening matches. Toronto, one of Canada's two host cities, will kick off the tournament on June 12, 2026, with six matches scheduled there. The expanded format means 48 national teams will compete, nearly doubling the number of games compared to previous editions. With 104 matches in total, the event will set new benchmarks for scale and global viewership.
The 2026 World Cup marks the first time three nations co-host the tournament. The U.S. will handle the majority of fixtures, while Canada and Mexico bring iconic venues and early-stage excitement. Fans can expect a month of non-stop football, played in stadiums built for both spectacle and top-tier competition.
