The highly anticipated FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, marking the arrival of the largest and most ambitious tournament in football history across North America.
Co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, this monumental 39-day sporting fiesta breaks tradition by expanding to an unprecedented 48-team format. Football's global governing body has structured a grueling yet thrilling schedule consisting of 104 matches, representing a significant 40-game increase from the previous tournament in Qatar.
The action begins in dramatic fashion at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the host nation faces South Africa to ignite a tournament that will culminate with the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
To accommodate the massive influx of 16 additional teams, organisers have introduced a new round-of-32 knockout stage. This means the eventual world champions must successfully navigate eight high-stakes fixtures to lift the trophy, elevating the tactical drama for players and fans alike.