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Record-breaking 2026 World Cup kicks off in June
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a historic expansion, featuring 48 teams over 39 days-the longest duration in the tournament's history. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the event will run from 11 June to 19 July, with the final set for New Jersey.
Expanded format and host cities
For the first time, the World Cup will include 48 nations, up from 32, organized into 12 groups of four. An additional knockout round-the Round of 32-has been added to accommodate the larger field. Matches will be held across 16 cities, with the U.S. hosting 11 venues, Mexico three, and Canada two.
- United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle.
- Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey.
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver.
Qualified teams and play-off battles
As of January 2026, 32 teams have secured their spots, including hosts Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Four nations-Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan-will make their World Cup debuts. Europe's final four berths will be decided in March play-offs, leaving Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland in contention.
Africa, Asia, and the Americas have already filled most of their allocated slots, with the remaining spots to be determined via inter-confederation play-offs.
Ticketing challenges and dynamic pricing
FIFA's ticketing system has drawn criticism for high costs and limited availability. The cheapest final tickets start at $2,030 (£1,510), while the most expensive reach $6,000 (£4,462). General admission for early matches ranges from $60 (£44) to $2,235 (£1,662), though low-cost seats are scarce.
A second ticket draw opens on 27 October, followed by a random selection phase post-group draw on 5 December. FIFA's dynamic pricing model may inflate costs for high-demand matches later in the sales cycle.
Security and logistical concerns
Political tensions and safety issues loom over the tournament. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to relocate matches from cities deemed "unsafe," citing mass shootings, ICE deportations, and National Guard deployments in host cities like Los Angeles. Meanwhile, trade tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico have strained relations among the co-hosts.
Extreme heat is another concern, with temperatures nearing 40°C (104°F) during this summer's Club World Cup in the U.S. FIFA may schedule key European matches after midnight UK time to mitigate risks, mirroring the late kick-offs used in the Club World Cup.
What's next
Play-offs in March will finalize the 48-team field, while FIFA's ticketing phases continue through 2026. Fans can expect further updates on security protocols and match schedules as the tournament approaches.
