After years of anticipation, the biggest soccer tournament in the world is returning to North America, and it’s quite literally bigger than ever.
The event will play host to more teams than ever before, and the world’s biggest stars will be on display as they try to capture the top prize in the sport.
What is it exactly that makes this tournament unique? When will Team USA, Mexico and the other 46 teams get going? And who has the best shot at winning?
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup.
What makes the 2026 tournament unique?
There are two features of the 2026 World Cup that are different from previous years.
The first and biggest change will be the number of teams involved, as the field will expand from 32 teams to 48. In all, that will increase the number of games from 64 to a staggering 108, and will also add an entire new round to the competition, requiring teams to win five knockout round games to hoist the World Cup.
The other big change is the use of three host countries, as the United States, Mexico and Canada will all host games.
Mexico will be handling hosting responsibilities for the first time since 1986, while the United States is hosting for the first time since 1994. Canada will host World Cup games for the first time ever.
Previously only one other World Cup had been hosted by more than one country, as the Republic of Korea and Japan had cohosted the 2002 tournament.
While the 2030 World Cup will also be hosted by three countries, as Morocco, Portugal and Spain handle those duties, there will also be special games hosted in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.
How will the expanded tournament work?
In previous editions of the World Cup, the top-two teams from each of eight groups would advance to the knockout stage, with a single-elimination format determining the winner.
That single-elimination style of competition will continue with the 48-team format, but now the top-two teams in each of the 12 groups will advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
The field will then slowly shrink from 32 teams to the World Cup Final, which will take place on July 19 in New Jersey.
When do the host countries play?
Here is Team USA’s schedule for Group D play in the World Cup:
Friday, June 12: vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles)
Friday, June 19: vs. Australia (Seattle)
Thursday, June 25: vs. Turkey (Los Angeles)
Here is Mexico’s schedule for Group A play in the World Cup:
Thursday, June 11: vs. South Africa (Mexico City)
Thursday, June 18: vs. Republic of Korea (Guadalajara)
Wednesday, June 24: vs. Czechia (Mexico City)
Here is Canada’s schedule for Group B play in the World Cup:
Friday, June 12: vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Toronto)
Thursday, June 18: vs. Qatar (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24: vs. Switzerland (Vancouver)
What other big-time matchups are there in the group play stage?
Several big-time games are looming on the schedule in the World Cup, and one of the most eye-popping matchups of the early stages of the tournament will come on June 13 when Brazil and Morocco, both of whom are currently ranked in the top-10 in the world, square off in their opening game in New Jersey.
On June 17, England, one of the favorites in this year’s tournament, will take on Croatia, currently the No. 11-ranked team in the world. That game will take place in Dallas in the biggest stadium being used in the tournament, so the atmosphere should be plenty raucous.
Germany and the Ivory Coast are set to battle on June 20 in Toronto in another highlight-reel game, and on the final day of group play on June 27, we’ll get another matchup of top-ranked teams, as No. 5 Portugal will take on No. 13-ranked Colombia in the Group K finale in Miami.
Who are some of the favorites in this year’s tournament?
Even with an expanded field of 48 teams this summer, there are still a few countries that are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the pack in terms of being favored to win the tournament.
Topping most lists are Spain and France, who are either first or second in virtually every oddsmaker’s eyes for the crown. France won the World Cup in 2018 and still boasts one of the deepest rosters in the tournament, highlighted by Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé.
Spain has a ton of scoring punch on their roster, but they’re also formidable in goal and in their midfield, giving them a tremendous mix of talent as they try to win the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Outside of those squads, England, Brazil and reigning champion Argentina are always in the mix, and oddsmakers aren’t ruling out Portugal or Germany either, with those teams boasting some of the top players in the world game.
Where you can watch the tournament?
Telemundo is the exclusive Spanish-language home of the World Cup in the United States, airing a slew of matches during all stages of the event.
For English-speaking audiences, Fox will handle broadcasting duties this time around, with the tournament set to get underway on Thursday, June 11.
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