Updates on the 2026 World Cup: One year remaining before kickoff
Get ready, soccer fans! The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and it's going to be a massive event. Set to take place a year from now, the tournament will be a joint venture between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, making history as the biggest World Cup yet with a whopping 48 teams participating.
So, when can you expect all the action? The tournament will run through June and July, with the opening match taking place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. The curtain will fall on the tournament with the final game at the New York New Jersey Stadium ( MetLife Stadium during the FIFA event ) on July 19.
Want to secure your spot in the stands? You can register your interest in tickets through FIFA. But who will be gracing the field? So far, more than a dozen countries have already booked their place in the tournament, including co-hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as defending champion Argentina. Other confirmed teams include Japan, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Ecuador.
The tournament will be a veritable global affair, with 16 teams qualifying from Europe (the most of any region), 9 from Africa, 8 from Asia, 6 from South America, 6 from North and Central America and the Caribbean, and just 1 from Oceania. The qualification process for each region is tailored to the respective confederations, with varying numbers of automatic spots and playoff routes.
As for the cities hosting the games, the United States will be home to 10 matches, with the games taking place in Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami Gardens, Florida; Philadelphia; Seattle; and San Jose, California. Canada will host games in Toronto and Vancouver, British Columbia, while Mexico will see matches in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City.
The format of the tournament will remain the same as in previous years, with 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. The knockout stage will commence from the round of 32 and culminate in the final on July 19.
The 2022 World Cup saw Argentina emerge victorious, defeating France in a nail-biting penalty shootout. Let's see who will come out on top in 2026!
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- The 2026 World Cup, set to take place in Canada, will feature Toronto as one of the host cities for soccer matches.
- Besides the co-host countries, including Canada, the tournament will see teams from various European leagues such as the Champions League and the European leagues participating.
- In addition to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, confirmed teams for the World Cup include football powerhouses like Brazil and Argentina from South American leagues.
