The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a watershed moment in the history of football’s greatest tournament. Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, this will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, the first held across three countries, and potentially the most commercially significant sporting event ever staged. Here is our comprehensive preview of what promises to be an extraordinary summer of football.
The Expanded Format
The most significant change to the 2026 World Cup is the expansion from 32 to 48 teams. This increase has profound implications for the tournament’s structure, duration, and competitive dynamics.
Group Stage
The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group-stage matches, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32. This means 32 of the 48 participating nations will progress beyond the group stage, ensuring that the majority of teams have at least the possibility of experiencing knockout-round football.
The expansion has been controversial. Critics argue that it dilutes the quality of the tournament, introducing teams whose standard may not merit a place on the world’s biggest stage. Supporters counter that it increases football’s global reach, giving nations from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the CONCACAF region greater representation in a tournament that has historically been dominated by European and South American countries.
Knockout Rounds
From the Round of 32, the tournament follows a straightforward single-elimination format through to the final. The additional knockout round adds matches and drama, but also extends the tournament’s duration. The 2026 World Cup will run for approximately five weeks, making it the longest in history.
Implications for Players
The expanded format, combined with the need for more matches, raises concerns about player fatigue. Many of the tournament’s best players will arrive in North America having completed gruelling domestic seasons, including deep runs in the Champions League and other continental competitions. Managing the physical demands of a five-week tournament in the heat of a North American summer will be a significant challenge for coaching staffs.
Host Cities and Venues
The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 venues in three countries, reflecting the vast geographic scope of the tournament.
United States (11 venues)
The United States hosts the majority of matches, including both semi-finals and the final. The venues span the country from coast to coast:
- MetLife Stadium, New Jersey — The venue for the 2026 World Cup Final, MetLife Stadium is the largest stadium in the NFL and will provide a fitting stage for the culmination of the tournament.
- SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles — A state-of-the-art venue that hosted the Super Bowl in 2022, SoFi Stadium will stage matches through to the quarter-finals.
- AT&T Stadium, Dallas — One of the largest enclosed stadiums in the world, AT&T Stadium will host group-stage matches and a semi-final.
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami — The tropical setting of Hard Rock Stadium will provide a distinctive backdrop for matches in the group stage and beyond.
- NRG Stadium, Houston — Another major NFL venue repurposed for World Cup football.
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia — A storied sporting venue in one of America’s most historic cities.
- Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area — Located in Santa Clara, this modern stadium will bring World Cup football to the tech capital of the world.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta — The retractable-roof stadium will provide comfortable conditions regardless of the weather.
- Gillette Stadium, Boston — New England’s premier sporting venue.
- Lumen Field, Seattle — Known for its intense atmosphere during MLS matches, Lumen Field will be one of the most vocal venues in the tournament.
- Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City — Famous for its noise levels during NFL games, Arrowhead will provide a raucous environment for World Cup matches.
Mexico (3 venues)
Mexico brings its deep footballing culture and passionate supporters to the tournament:
- Estadio Azteca, Mexico City — The only stadium to have hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986), the Azteca is one of football’s most iconic venues. Its inclusion in the 2026 tournament provides a link to the competition’s rich history.
- Estadio Akron, Guadalajara — A modern stadium that serves as home to Chivas, one of Mexico’s most popular clubs.
- Estadio BBVA, Monterrey — A recently built venue that offers excellent facilities and a passionate supporter base.
Canada (2 venues)
Canada hosts World Cup matches for the first time:
- BMO Field, Toronto — Canada’s largest city provides a cosmopolitan setting for World Cup football, with a diverse population that reflects the global nature of the sport.
- BC Place, Vancouver — The retractable-roof stadium on Canada’s Pacific coast will stage matches in one of the country’s most beautiful cities.
Tournament Favourites
Brazil
Brazil arrive at the 2026 World Cup with a point to prove. The five-time champions have not won the tournament since 2002, and the disappointment of recent campaigns has fuelled a determination to reclaim their place at the summit of international football.
The Brazilian squad for 2026 features a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent. The attacking options are, as always, mouth-watering, with pace, skill, and creativity in abundance. The challenge for Brazil is defensive organization and tactical discipline, areas where they have sometimes been found wanting in previous tournaments.
Brazil’s connection with the North American diaspora is significant. Large Brazilian communities in cities like Miami, New York, and Los Angeles will provide vocal home support, and the festive atmosphere that accompanies Brazilian football will be one of the tournament’s highlights.
France
The reigning World Cup runners-up and 2018 champions, France possess one of the deepest squads in international football. The production line of talent from the French academy system, as discussed in our global league rankings , ensures that Les Bleus have options in every position.
Kylian Mbappe will be the face of France’s challenge. The Paris-born forward, now the centrepiece of Real Madrid’s attack, is arguably the best player in the world, and the World Cup provides the stage for him to cement his legacy alongside Pele, Maradona, and Messi. At 27, Mbappe is entering his prime years, and the combination of his pace, finishing, and big-game temperament makes France the team many experts tip to win the tournament.
The French midfield, featuring a new generation of technically gifted players developed in Ligue 1 and abroad, provides the platform for Mbappe and the attack to flourish. Defensively, France have the personnel to be solid, though the recurring question of tactical cohesion under pressure remains.
Argentina
The defending champions arrive in North America as the team to beat. Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, led by Lionel Messi’s transcendent performances, was one of the great sporting stories of the 21st century. The question for 2026 is whether Argentina can replicate that success without their greatest-ever player at the peak of his powers.
Messi, at 38, may or may not feature in the 2026 World Cup. Whether he does, Argentina have built a squad around him that is capable of functioning at the highest level with or without the captain. The team spirit forged under Lionel Scaloni’s management has been one of the defining characteristics of this Argentine generation, and the hunger to defend their title will drive them throughout the tournament.
England
England’s perennial status as contenders without titles (beyond 1966) faces another test in 2026. The quality of players produced by the Premier League gives England a squad that is the envy of most nations, with depth in virtually every position.
The challenge for England has always been translating domestic club form into international tournament success. The tactical sophistication of the Premier League does not always transfer smoothly to the international game, where preparation time is limited and team cohesion must be built quickly. England’s recent tournament record — a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a European Championship final in 2021, and a quarter-final in 2022 — shows improvement, but the ultimate prize remains elusive.
Players like Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden give England attacking talent that can match any nation, and the defensive core drawn from the Premier League’s best sides provides a solid foundation. The 2026 World Cup represents a golden opportunity for this generation of English players to make history.
Germany
Germany as hosts of the final venue (the Allianz Arena hosted the 2025-26 Champions League final) have a symbolic connection to the tournament, even though it takes place in North America. The four-time champions are always dangerous in major tournaments, and their ability to peak at precisely the right moment has been a feature of German football for decades.
The German squad blends the technical development of the Bundesliga’s academy system with the tactical intelligence that is a hallmark of German coaching. Their record in World Cups — four titles and four runner-up finishes — speaks to a consistency that few nations can match.
Spain
Spain’s possession-based philosophy, which brought them three consecutive major tournament victories between 2008 and 2012, has been updated for a new generation. The current Spanish squad features a crop of young players who combine the traditional technical excellence of Spanish football with a pressing intensity that has been influenced by the Premier League and Bundesliga.
Spain’s midfield talent, including players developed at Barcelona’s La Masia and Real Madrid’s academy, provides the foundation for a tournament challenge, and their tactical flexibility under the current management gives them multiple routes to victory.
Dark Horses
Portugal
Portugal’s golden generation, led by Cristiano Ronaldo (who at 41 may make a farewell World Cup appearance), has been supplemented by a new wave of talent that makes the Portuguese squad formidable. Players like Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, and Joao Neves provide pace, creativity, and dynamism in a squad that blends experience with youthful ambition.
Netherlands
The Dutch tradition of producing technically gifted, tactically intelligent players continues, and the 2026 squad has the quality to cause problems for any opponent. The Netherlands’ attacking philosophy and tournament pedigree make them a side that the favourites will want to avoid.
Colombia
South American football’s diversity is represented by Colombia, whose vibrant style and passionate support base make them one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament. The current generation of Colombian players, many of whom ply their trade in Europe’s top leagues, has the talent to mount a deep run.
United States
The hosts will carry the weight of expectation from a nation that is increasingly engaged with football. The growth of MLS, the influx of American players into European leagues, and the cultural significance of hosting the World Cup have raised the profile of the sport in the United States to unprecedented levels.
The USMNT squad features players with experience at the highest levels of European football, and the advantage of playing on home soil — familiar conditions, passionate support, and no jet lag — could be significant. A deep run by the hosts would be transformative for football in America and would vindicate the decision to award the 2026 tournament to North America.
Key Storylines to Watch
The Messi Question
Will Lionel Messi play in the 2026 World Cup? At 38, with his body inevitably showing signs of wear, the greatest player of his generation faces a decision that will define the narrative of the tournament. If he plays, every match becomes a celebration. If he does not, Argentina must prove they can win without him.
The American Football Phenomenon
Hosting the World Cup in NFL stadiums presents unique challenges: the pitch dimensions, the surface quality, and the sightlines are all different from purpose-built football stadiums. FIFA has worked with venue operators to ensure that playing conditions meet the required standards, but the experience of watching football in a 80,000-seat American stadium will be unlike any previous World Cup.
Climate and Logistics
The 2026 World Cup will be played in summer across three countries spanning multiple time zones and climate conditions. Teams playing in Houston or Dallas will face extreme heat, while those in Seattle or Vancouver will enjoy more temperate conditions. The logistical challenge of moving squads, supporters, and media across the continent is unprecedented.
The Expansion Effect
The first 48-team World Cup will be judged partly on whether the additional 16 teams enhance or diminish the tournament. If the expanded format produces more surprise results, more competitive matches, and more memorable moments, the expansion will be considered a success. If the group stage becomes bloated with one-sided matches, critics will feel vindicated.
Prediction
Winner: France
Kylian Mbappe’s combination of speed, skill, and big-game mentality makes France the team to beat. The depth of the French squad, the quality of their coaching, and their experience of winning at the highest level give them a marginal edge over Brazil, Argentina, and England. The 2026 World Cup will be Mbappe’s tournament — the stage on which he cements his place among football’s all-time greats.
The January transfer window has seen several key World Cup contenders strengthen their squads at club level, and the form players carry from their domestic seasons into the tournament will be a significant factor. The months between now and the World Cup opening ceremony will shape the narrative, but the anticipation is already building for what promises to be the biggest and most spectacular World Cup in history.