The FIFA World Cup 2026 is about to be the biggest football party ever ๐ โ hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada and expanded to 48 teams. On this page youโll find everything in one place: format, hosts, qualification status, key dates, and how to follow matches live.
๐ Table of Contents
- World Cup 2026 Overview
- Tournament Format (48 Teams)
- Hosts, Cities & Stadiums
- Qualification & Slots by Continent
- Teams Qualified So Far (Updated)
- Official Dates & Match Schedule
- How to Follow World Cup 2026 on FootballKH
- Smart & Safe Betting Tips ๐ง
- FAQ
1. World Cup 2026 Overview ๐
The 2026 edition will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup and the first ever hosted by three countries. It also marks the historic switch from 32 to 48 national teams, meaning more matches, more nations, and more surprises ๐ฅ.
- Hosts: United States ๐บ๐ธ, Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ, Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
- Teams: 48
- Total matches: 104 games across the tournament
- Fan vibe: North America = huge stadiums + nonstop entertainment ๐
If you love international football, this one is going to feel like a full month of Champions League knockouts ๐.
2. Tournament Format (48 Teams) ๐
FIFA confirmed a 48-team format with:
- 12 groups of 4 teams
- Top 2 in each group qualify + best 8 third-place teams
- New Round of 32, then Round of 16, QF, SF, Final
So yesโฆ one extra knockout round = more drama ๐.
3. Hosts, Cities & Stadiums ๐๏ธ
Matches will be played in 16 host cities across the three countries. The U.S. hosts most games, while Canada and Mexico each have a full set of group-stage matches too.
Big headline venues include:
- MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey) โ Final venue ๐
- Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) โ iconic opening match host vibe โจ
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) and more.
Expect packed crowds, crazy tifos, and a festival atmosphere in every city ๐ฅณ.
4. Qualification & Slots by Continent ๐ซ
With 48 spots, every confederation gets more tickets to the show. Hereโs the allocation:
| Confederation | Direct Slots | Playoff Slots |
|---|---|---|
| AFC (Asia) | 8 | 1 |
| CAF (Africa) | 9 | 1 |
| CONCACAF* | 3 | 2 |
| CONMEBOL (S. America) | 6 | 1 |
| OFC (Oceania) | 1 | 1 |
| UEFA (Europe) | 16 | 0 |
*Hosts USA, Mexico, Canada qualify automatically.
5. Teams Qualified So Far (Updated) โ
Qualification is nearly finished in most regions, and the list keeps growing. Here are some of the teams already booked for 2026 (snapshot from late 2026):
- Hosts: USA, Mexico, Canada
- CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay
- AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Jordan
- CAF: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Cape Verde
- OFC: New Zealand
- UEFA: early qualifiers include England & France
More teams will be added after final confederation rounds and intercontinental playoffs.
Want to track every qualifier? Check our competitions hub ๐ Competitions.
6. Official Dates & Match Schedule ๐๏ธ
FIFA locked in the tournament window:
- Opening match: Thursday 11 June 2026 ๐ฒ๐ฝ
- Final: Sunday 19 July 2026 ๐บ๐ธ
- Duration: 39 days, 104 matches
Weโll update this page with full fixtures once the final draw is done (draw announced for 5 December 2026).
7. How to Follow World Cup 2026 on FootballKH ๐ฒ
During qualifiers and the final tournament, FootballKH will keep everything simple:
- โ All Fixtures (daily updated)
- โ All Results + live scores
- โ Football News for World Cup headlines
- โ Explore leagues anytime: EPL, La Liga, Serie A
Bookmark this page and come back often โ itโll be your World Cup HQ ๐งญ.
8. Smart & Safe Betting Tips ๐ง ๐ธ
World Cup games bring wild odds and big emotional swings. If youโre betting, do it smart:
- ๐ Bet with a plan, not with hype.
- ๐ Watch lineups & injuries before kickoff.
- ๐ Group stage = surprises. Knockouts = tighter games.
- ๐ Use bankroll limits and never chase losses.
New to betting? Start here:
- ๐ How to Bet on Football
- ๐ Safe Betting Online
- ๐ Best Betting Sites
Play responsibly โ . The World Cup is fun โ donโt let it become stress.
9. FAQ โ
How many teams will play in World Cup 2026?
48 teams will compete, up from 32 in previous tournaments.
Which countries host the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament is co-hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada.
When does the World Cup 2026 start and end?
It runs from 11 June 2026 to 19 July 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
What is the format for 48 teams?
There are 12 groups of 4, then a new Round of 32 before the usual knockout stages. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
How can I check World Cup fixtures and results fast?
Use our pages: Fixtures and Results for updated match lists.
๐ Next step: keep this tab saved and come back as qualifiers finish and the final draw drops. World Cup 2026 is comingโฆ and itโs going to be absolute madness in the best way ๐โฝ