Next: Mexico v South Africa · Estadio Banorte · Jun 11, 7:00 PM
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⏱️Mexico v South Africa · Jun 11, 7:00 PM•⏱️South Korea v Czechia · Jun 12, 2:00 AM•⏱️Canada v Bosnia-Herz · Jun 12, 7:00 PM•📰World Cup Daily LIVE: Yamal at Walmart, Mexico-South Africa pregame•📰Mexico vs South Africa LIVE! Follow all the action from the FIFA World Cup opener•📰2026 World Cup live updates: Mexico vs. South Africa•📰Barred WC referee Artan to officiate Super Cup fin...•📰FIFA prez: People should 'chill' over WC visa issu...•🇧🇷Brazil are the only nation to have played in every single World Cup. Show-offs.•🧮104 matches in 2026 means more World Cup football in one tournament than ever before — pace yourself.•🌎2026 is the first World Cup hosted by THREE countries and the first with 48 teams and 104 matches.•
Road to 2026
The 48-team era begins
The first World Cup hosted across three nations and the largest field in history. While the group draw settles, here's the pre-tournament intelligence — favourites, the historical record, host venues and the road to the MetLife final.
Days to kickoff
1
USA · 11 venues
Mexico · 3 venues
Canada · 2 venues
Form guide
Title Favourites
1
92
Argentina
Holders · Copa América champions
2
90
France
2022 finalists · elite depth
3
88
Spain
Euro 2024 winners · youngest core
4
85
England
Back-to-back major finals
5
84
Brazil
Rebuild under new staff
6
82
Portugal
Golden generation, last dance
7
80
Germany
Home-soil Euro momentum
8
78
Netherlands
Balanced, tournament-tested
Power index is an editorial pre-tournament estimate — not betting advice.
The record
By the Numbers
23
Editions since 1930
5
Most titles · Brazil
2026
First 48-team field
104
Total matches
Schedule
Key Dates
Jun 11Opening match · Estadio Azteca
Jun 11 – 27Group stage · 72 matches
Jun 28 – Jul 3Round of 32
Jul 4 – 7Round of 16
Jul 9 – 11Quarter-finals
Jul 14 – 15Semi-finals
Jul 19Final · MetLife Stadium
Know the nations
Nation Spotlight
Host cities
Where It Happens
New York / New Jersey
MetLife Stadium
Final · Jul 19
Dallas
AT&T Stadium
9 matches
Mexico City
Estadio Azteca
Opening match
Los Angeles
SoFi Stadium
8 matches
Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Semi-final
Toronto
BMO Field
Canada opener
Seattle
Lumen Field
6 matches
Vancouver
BC Place
7 matches
Live mood
Next up: Mexico vs South Africa at Jun 11, 7:00 PM.
48 teams104 matches16 cities
Fun fact
Paul the Octopus correctly predicted 8 of 8 matches at World Cup 2010, including the final. He had a better record than most pundits.
silly
Newswire
Build-up & Headlines
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally arrived as Mexico host South Africa in Mexico City in the opening match of the tournament.
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