The most-watched sporting event on Earth returns to North America: the World Cup is coming to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 48 nations will compete in the tournament for the first time ever, instead of the traditional 32-team format. Matches will take place in cities across all three countries during the group stage, from Guadalajara to Los Angeles to Toronto. Get your World Cup tickets now at Event Tickets Center and be part of history.

When Is the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11th, when the teams in Group A compete for the first three points of the tournament. The 72 matches of the group stage will conclude on June 27th. The knockout stages begin with the round of 32 on June 28th. The round of 16 begins on July 4th and continues for four days. The quarterfinals take place on July 9th, 10th, and 11th. There will be a three-day break in the tournament until the semifinal matches kick off on July 14th and 15th. The third-place match kicks off on July 18th, and finally, the 2026 World Cup Final kicks off on July 19th, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

What Are the 2026 World Cup Teams?

The 2026 World Cup kicks off a bold new era with 48 teams, making it the largest edition yet. All six continental regions are represented, with Oceania earning a direct qualification spot for the first time. Europe leads with 16 direct entries, followed by nine from Africa, eight from Asia, six each from South America and North America (including automatic spots for hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico). An inter-confederation playoff tournament in March 2026 will determine the final two qualifiers, featuring one team each from four continents and two from CONCACAF. With more nations than ever taking the pitch, the 2026 World Cup is set to deliver its biggest tournament in history!

Which Stadiums Will Host World Cup Matches?

The 2026 World Cup will unfold across a constellation of iconic venues usually used for National Football League (NFL) teams. In the Group Stage, fans can catch the action at any of 16 stadiums across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, including AT&T Stadium in Arlington, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and NRG Stadium in Houston. Once the tournament reaches its climax, all eyes will turn to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the final showdown will crown a new global champion to take over from Argentina’s 2022 win.

The 2026 World Cup Format

The 2026 tournament rewrites the script entirely. With 48 nations competing, the scale is unprecedented, bringing more matches, drama, and opportunities for nations to rise. The competition now spans 39 days and 104 games total. It’s now a marathon and a sprint, reshaping how teams prepare, rotate players, and manage the high-stakes pressure.

Group Stage Gauntlet

Gone are the days of just eight groups. The 2026 group stage features 12 groups of four teams, maintaining the familiar three-match style of the group stage. The top two teams from each group advance, following the tournament’s tradition. However, the biggest change is that the eight best third-placed teams also advance to the knockout stage, which hadn’t happened since the U.S. last hosted in 1994.

Knockout Round

Once the dust settles on the group stage, the newly introduced Round of 32 begins. Instead of the usual four, teams must now win five straight elimination matches to be crowned champions. The path is more difficult than ever, and it will surely lead to more drama and excitement as the tournament surges.

The Global Showdown Awaits! Get Your World Cup Tickets Now!

The 2026 World Cup promises non-stop action, historic goals, and global unity through the beautiful game, from the group stage drama all the way to the final whistle at MetLife. Score your World Cup tickets today at Event Tickets Center and be part of soccer’s biggest stage!