FIFA World Cup 2026 · 48 Teams · 16 Cities

The Final Chapter

The first-ever 48-team World Cup. Three host nations. And for five legends of the game, one final chance to write their World Cup story.

USA · Canada · Mexico
Meet the legends
The knockout rounds are underwayFollow the road to the final →
The Tournament

World Cup 2026

The biggest World Cup in history. 48 nations, 12 groups, 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries.

📅
June 11 — July 19
Opening match at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
🌎
3 Host Nations
11 cities in the USA, 3 in Mexico, 2 in Canada. The first tri-nation World Cup ever.
⚽
48 Teams
Expanded from 32 for the first time. 12 groups of 4, with the top 2 and best 3rd-place teams advancing.
🏟️
16 Venues
From MetLife Stadium in New York to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and BC Place in Vancouver.

Key Dates

Jun 11Opening Match — Mexico City
Jun 11Group Stage begins
Jun 27Group Stage ends
Jun 28Round of 32 begins
Jul 5Round of 16
Jul 11Quarter-finals
Jul 15Semi-finals (Dallas & Atlanta)
Jul 19Final — MetLife Stadium, NJ

See all 48 teams & the full group draw →

How It Works

The New Format, Explained

The first 48-team World Cup changes more than any edition before it. Here's what's new — and what it means for the five legends chasing one last title.

How is the 2026 World Cup different from previous tournaments?

It's the first 48-team World Cup, up from 32. The teams are split into 12 groups of four and play 104 matches in total — far more than the 64 of past editions — across 16 cities in three host nations, the USA, Canada and Mexico. It also introduces a Round of 32, a knockout round that has never existed before.

How many matches does each team play?

Every team still plays three group-stage games, one against each of the other sides in its group — the same as it has always been. What changes is the run to the trophy: a team that reaches the final now plays eight matches in total rather than the seven needed in 2022, because of the extra knockout round.

How do teams qualify for the knockout stage?

The top two teams in each of the 12 groups go through automatically — that's 24 teams. They're joined by the eight best third-placed teams from across all the groups, making 32 in total. The eight are ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, so a strong third-place finish is no longer an automatic exit.

What is the new Round of 32?

It's a brand-new opening knockout round — the first time in World Cup history that 32 teams reach the bracket. The knockout path now runs Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, instead of starting at the Round of 16 as it did when only 16 teams advanced.

Can a team win its group and still be eliminated?

No. Every group winner and every runner-up is guaranteed a place in the Round of 32. The only teams left sweating the math are those finishing third: just the eight best of the twelve third-placed sides advance, so a third-place team in a tough group can still be sent home.

When does the group stage end and the knockouts begin?

The group stage runs from the opening match on June 11 through June 27. The knockout rounds begin on June 28 and build to the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.

Could one of the legends' nations finish third and still advance?

Yes — and the new format could be a lifeline for them. With eight of the twelve third-placed teams going through, a side like Modrić's Croatia, De Bruyne's Belgium or Ronaldo's Portugal can drop a group game and still reach the knockouts on points. It's the rule most likely to keep a legend's final chapter alive beyond the group stage.

Read the full 2026 format guide →

The Farewell Five

One Last Time

They've defined an era. Now they step onto the pitch for the final chapter of their World Cup stories.

Lionel Messi
🇦🇷
Age at WC 39

Lionel Messi

Argentina · Forward · Group J
13
WC Goals
26
WC Apps
5
World Cups
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
View their story →
Cristiano Ronaldo
🇵🇹
Age at WC 41

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal · Forward · Group K
8
WC Goals
22
WC Apps
5
World Cups
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
View their story →
Luka Modrić
🇭🇷
Age at WC 40

Luka Modrić

Croatia · Midfielder · Group L
3
WC Goals
19
WC Apps
4
World Cups
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
View their story →
Neymar Jr
🇧🇷
Age at WC 34

Neymar Jr

Brazil · Forward · Group C
8
WC Goals
13
WC Apps
3
World Cups
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
View their story →
Kevin De Bruyne
🇧🇪
Age at WC 35

Kevin De Bruyne

Belgium · Midfielder · Group G
2
WC Goals
15
WC Apps
3
World Cups
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
View their story →

Who's still standing? Track all five through the tournament →

16 Host Cities

The Stage

VancouverBC Place
SeattleLumen Field
San FranciscoLevi's Stadium
Los AngelesSoFi Stadium
GuadalajaraEstadio Akron
Mexico CityEstadio Azteca
MonterreyEstadio BBVA
HoustonNRG Stadium
DallasAT&T Stadium
Kansas CityArrowhead Stadium
AtlantaMercedes-Benz Stadium
MiamiHard Rock Stadium
TorontoBMO Field
BostonGillette Stadium
PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial Field
New York / New JerseyMetLife Stadium