The FIFA World Cup 2026 is poised to be a landmark event in football history, as the United States, Canada, and Mexico join forces to co-host the prestigious tournament for the very first time.
Hosting across three nations:
The 2026 edition will mark a historic moment as it becomes the first FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by three nations. Matches will be held across 16 vibrant cities spanning the North American continent:
- United States (11 Cities): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle.
- Canada (2 Cities): Toronto, Vancouver.
- Mexico (3 Cities): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey.
Number of teams and matches:
The 2026 World Cup will feature a significant expansion in its format, increasing the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. This expansion will lead to a total of 104 matches being played throughout the tournament. The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will then proceed to the knockout stages, commencing with the Round of 32.
Mark your calendars: Key dates and tournament schedule:
Football fans can start planning their schedules as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and culminate with the grand final on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Here’s a breakdown of the key phases:
- Group Stage: June 11 – June 27, 2026
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026
- Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11, 2026
- Semifinals: July 14 – July 15, 2026
- Bronze Final (3rd Place Match): July 18, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026
The iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (part of the New York/New Jersey hosting area), has been selected to host the highly anticipated final match. Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca will have the honor of staging the tournament’s opening match.
Ticket information: How to secure your spot
For fans in the United States, ticket sales are already underway, offering a range of options from budget-friendly seats to ultra-premium hospitality packages. Exclusive experiences at MetLife Stadium can reach prices as high as £55,000 (approximately Rs 62.39 lakh).
However, football enthusiasts in India will need to wait a bit longer. As of now, general ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have not yet commenced in India. It is anticipated that the general ticket sales phase will begin in late 2025.
To prepare for ticket purchases, FIFA advises fans to take the following steps:
- Create a FIFA Account: Visit FIFA’s official Ticketing Portal and create an account by providing the necessary details and setting a password. This will be the primary platform for all official ticket sales.
- Explore Official Ticket Options: FIFA will offer various ticket types to cater to different preferences:
- Team-Specific Tickets: Allow fans to follow a particular national team throughout the tournament, provided they qualify. These are typically available during the initial sales phase, excluding hospitality packages.
- Stadium-Specific Tickets: Provide access to all matches held at a chosen stadium, regardless of the participating teams.
- Individual Match Tickets: Enable fans to select and purchase tickets for specific matches. During the initial phase, the teams might be unknown, but matchups will be revealed after the official tournament draw.
- Hospitality Packages: Offer premium experiences, including access to exclusive lounges, private suites, and other high-end amenities.