It has been confirmed that FIFA 2026 will have 104 games, a considerable amount from its original 80 games. This is due to 12 groups of 4 teams, significantly increasing the number of games played in the next FIFA tournament. This is following the FIFA Council meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
Furthermore, the top two teams from each group will be able to advance, and the eighth-best third place will advance to the 32nd round. With all that said, here are some more important updates you might want to know about FIFA 2026.
What is the FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup is the premier international football competition where the best football clubs will play against each other every four years. The winner will be granted the FIFA trophy and held as the best football club in the world.
It’s regularly described as the most watched single sporting event in the world, and just last year, FIFA announced that the dramatic 2022 finals, which saw France beat Argentina, reached a global viewership of 1.5 billion people.
Where will FIFA 2026 Take place?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will occur in three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This will be the very first time in history that three different countries will host FIFA, and it will also be the first time that Canada will be hosting the World Cup. The games will be held in 16 venues, with Canada having two, Mexico having three, and the United States having 11.
2026 FIFA Host Cities would be:
USA
- Seattle- Lumen Field
- Dallas- Gillette Stadium
- Atlanta- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Boston- Gillette Stadium
- Kansas City- Arrowhead Stadium
- Los Angeles- SoFi Stadium
- New York/Jersey- MetLife Stadium
- Miami- Hard Rock Stadium
- Houston- NRG Stadium
- Philadelphia- Lincoln Financial Field
- San Francisco- Levi’s Stadium
Mexico
- Monterrey- Estadio BBVA
- Mexico City- Estadio Azteca
- Guadalajara- Estadio Akron
Canada
- Vancouver- BC PLACE
- Toronto- BMO Field
When Was The Hosts Decided
The 2026 FIFA World Cup bidding process started more than a decade ago, with the three North American countries outlining their intention to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, in 2017, it was announced that the three North American countries agreed on a joint bid, which they believe would serve them better.
First Time?
For the US and Mexico, it’s not their first time hosting the FIFA World Cup. However, for Canada, it is for the men’s. As far as the men’s go, Mexico was the first North American country to host the FIFA World Cup. They have staged the tournament twice already, first in 1970 and second in 1986, which was won by Brazil and Argentina respectively.
Does That Mean They Will Instantly Qualify?
The short answer is yes. All three North American countries will automatically be qualified for the FIFA World Cup. It was confirmed last year that all three of their teams will instantly be qualified for the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that, in total, six nations from the Confederation of North, Central, and Caribbean Association Football will qualify.
Which Other Countries Will Be There?
While it is fair to assume that the usual countries you can see on sites that offer the best sports betting odds will be participating in the FIFA World Cup, we’re still not sure which of the countries outside the hosts will qualify. The qualification process started in September, with South American countries (CONMEBOL) playing their first qualifiers. Asian nations would then step forward after them.
African nations (CAF) qualifications will begin in the next international break in November. North, Central, and Caribbean countries (CONCACAF) and Oceanic nations (OFC) will begin their qualification matches in March and September 2024. Finally, European nations (UEFA) will start qualification matches in 2025 and finish within a year.
What Other Things Are We Sure About?
At the last FIFA Congress, they announced that the World Cup final will be held on July 19. Furthermore, when FIFA put the 2026 TV rights out to the markets in Australia, it was stated that the tournament would last 5 and a half weeks, meaning that the opening match would be held on June 7, more or less.
As for the city that will be hosting the final, for now, it’s not entirely sure yet. It’s a two-city race between Dallas and New York/Jersey. However, people speculate it will be Dallas’ AT&T Stadium since it’s the biggest stadium. While Gianni Infantino has been seen watching a Cowboys game, it has been said that there’s no announcement yet on whether the AT&T stadium will be hosting the final game.
Final Words
According to experts, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been stated as the biggest FIFA yet. This is probably due to the number of teams and games that will be held in the next tournament. One thing is for sure, though, that it will also be one of the most fun FIFA World Cup. Let’s hope it will be true, but we should keep our eyes out for more news for the next FIFA World Cup.
