CupIndex
Guide

World Cup 2026 Preview

Everything you need to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Quick Answer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams in 104 matches. The new format has 12 groups of 4 teams, with the top 2 plus the 8 best third-place teams advancing to a 32-team knockout stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Format
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history.

Key Facts


• Hosts: USA, Canada, Mexico
• Teams: 48 (expanded from 32)
• Matches: 104 (up from 64)
• Format: New group stage format

New Format

The expanded tournament features:
• 12 groups of 4 teams (instead of 8)
• Top 2 from each group advance (24 teams)
• 8 best third-place teams also advance
• 32 teams in knockout stage

Host Cities

United States (11 cities):
• New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Kansas City

Mexico (3 cities):
• Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey

Canada (2 cities):
• Toronto, Vancouver

Qualification

Expanded spots by confederation:
• UEFA (Europe): 16 spots
• CONMEBOL (South America): 6 spots
• CONCACAF (North/Central America): 6 spots + 3 hosts
• CAF (Africa): 9 spots
• AFC (Asia): 8 spots
• OFC (Oceania): 1 spot
• Playoffs: 2 spots

Key Dates


• Qualification: 2023-2025
• Final Draw: Late 2025
• Tournament: June-July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions