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FIFA World Cup 2026

USA • Canada • Mexico • June 11 – July 19

⏱ Countdown to Kickoff

--Days
--Hours
--Min
--Sec
48
Teams
104
Matches
16
Host Cities
6
Continents

The Biggest World Cup in History

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a landmark tournament — the first to feature 48 nations, co-hosted across three countries (USA, Canada, Mexico) with 16 venues and 104 matches over 39 days. From the opening match in Mexico City on June 11 to the Grand Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, this is the most ambitious football tournament ever staged.

The expanded format introduces a Round of 32 for the first time. Teams play in 12 groups of 4; the top two from each group (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-place finishers advance to a straight knockout bracket. More matches means more drama, more upsets, and far more betting opportunities.

12
Groups of 4 teams
72
Group stage matches
32
Knockout round teams
39
Days of football

SportsPulse AI covers every match — group stage reports, knockout previews, betting tips and fantasy picks updated within hours of the final whistle. Bookmark this page and check back daily throughout the tournament.

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World Cup 2026 FAQ

Quick Answers

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, 2026 with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Grand Final takes place on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA — 39 days of football across 3 host nations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams — up from 32 in previous tournaments. Teams are split into 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the new Round of 32 knockout stage.

The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — making it the first tournament co-hosted by three nations. The USA hosts 11 of the 16 venues including the Final at MetLife Stadium. Canada has 2 venues (Toronto, Vancouver) and Mexico has 3 (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey).

Bookmakers list France, Brazil, England, Spain, and Argentina (defending champions) as the leading favourites. The home advantage makes USA a popular bet. Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium are dark-horse contenders with the potential to go deep in the expanded format.

After the group stage, the 24 group winners and runners-up plus the 8 best third-placed teams (32 total) enter the Round of 32 — a new stage introduced for 2026. From there it is a single-elimination knockout: R32 → R16 → Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final. There is no second chance once eliminated.

USA: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, ESPN Bet — all offer outright winner markets, match odds and player props. South Africa: bet365, Betway SA, Hollywoodbets, Sportingbet — all regulated by the NGB. Always bet responsibly. 18+ only. If gambling becomes a problem: 1-800-522-4700 (US) or 0800 006 008 (SA).