The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. It’s scheduled to begin on June 11th and end on July 19th.
The World Cup is the international soccer championship in which national teams compete. It’s held every 4 years.
For the first time ever, the World Cup is to be hosted by three countries: the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Mexico has hosted the World Cup twice before (1970 and 1986) and the U.S. once before, in 1994.
In 2002, the World Cup was jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. Every other previous World Cup was hosted by only one country.
But in 2026 three countries are hosting it.
The games are to be held in 16 cities.
Here is a list of the 16 cities:
U.S.: New York metroplex (East Rutherford, New Jersey); Dallas metro (Arlington); Kansas City, Missouri; Houston; Atlanta; Los Angeles metro (Inglewood); Seattle; San Franciso Bay Area (Santa Clara); Philadelphia; Miami metro (Miami Gardens); Boston metro (Foxborough).
Canada: Vancouver; Toronto.
Mexico: Mexico City; Monterrey metro (Guadalupe); Guadalajara metro (Zapopan).
There are to be 48 national teams competing, an increase from 32 in the last World Cup in 2022. There are 104 games scheduled.
Here’s a map of the 16 venues:
There are 104 games to be played, with 48 national teams competing. That’s an increase from 32 in the last World Cup in 2022.
There are three opening ceremonies, one for each of the host countries:
1. Mexico City, Mexico – June 11th
2. Toronto, Canada – June 12th
3. Los Angeles, U.S.A. – June 12th
The international governing body for soccer is FIFA, a French acronym for Fédération Internationale de Football Association. That’s why you may see the tournament referred to as the 2026 FIFA World Cup or as FIFA World Cup 26. In Spanish it’s the Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026.
Click here for the FIFA website.