The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in June and July. It will be the first World Cup with three host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There will be 48 teams, which is more than ever before. The old format had only 32 teams. There will be 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries.
FIFA chose the three-country plan in 2018. This gave organizers many years to prepare. More teams mean more matches and more fans traveling to North America. South Korea has qualified for the tournament. Korean fans are famous for traveling far to support their team. The 2002 World Cup was very special — South Korea co-hosted it with Japan. In 2026, Korean communities in Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto will welcome traveling fans.
The United States will host 11 cities, Mexico will host three, and Canada will host two. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will hold the final match. It is very close to New York City. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host West Coast games. BMO Field in Toronto gives Canada an important role in the tournament.
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City has a very special history. In 2026, it will become the first stadium to host matches in three different World Cups. It was already a venue in 1970 and 1986. This makes it a powerful symbol of Mexico's love for football.
Running a tournament across three countries is not easy. Teams and fans must cross international borders. Time zones are different across the three countries. Organizers must carefully plan transport, security, and TV broadcasts for three different national systems.