Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to North America. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will unite three countries (the United States, Canada, and Mexico) for a historic, expanded edition of soccer’s most celebrated tournament.

Featuring 48 national teams, 104 total matches and 16 host cities, the 2026 World Cup will be the largest, most inclusive, and most logistically ambitious tournament in history. It marks the first time the event has been hosted by three nations and the first expansion since 1998.

From stadium details to ticket tips, travel planning and team breakdowns, here’s your complete guide to everything you need to know before kickoff.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Host Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico

• Number of Teams: 48 (up from 32)

• Total Matches: 104

• Tournament Dates: June 11–July 19 2026

• Host Cities: 16 total (11 in the U.S., 2 in Canada, 3 in Mexico)

• Opening Match: June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City

• Final Match: July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey area

What Makes 2026 Unique

The 2026 World Cup isn’t just another edition. It’s a reimagining of the tournament itself. For fans, that means more opportunities than ever to experience soccer’s biggest event live.

Expanded 48-Team Format

The 2026 World Cup introduces 12 groups of four teams, replacing the previous eight groups of four. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, advance to a Round of 32.

This change adds more matches (104 total, up from 64 in 2022), ensuring nearly every day of the tournament is packed with action from multiple cities.

Three Host Nations

The World Cup has never spanned an entire continent. Matches will take place across North America, from Vancouver and Toronto in the north and all the way down to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Fans can experience multiple cultures and stadium environments in a single tournament.

Record-Breaking Attendance and Accessibility

With North America’s massive venues and infrastructure, the 2026 World Cup could surpass 6 million total attendees, easily breaking previous records. Larger stadiums mean more available tickets, while modern transportation and digital ticketing make attending games smoother than ever.

Host Cities and Stadiums

The 2026 World Cup will feature 16 host cities spread across three countries. Each offers its own cultural flavor, fan energy and iconic venues.

United States (11 Host Cities)

• Atlanta, GA – Mercedes-Benz Stadium

• Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium

• Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium

• Houston, TX – NRG Stadium

• Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium

• Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium

• Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium

• New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium

• Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field

• San Francisco Bay Area – Levi’s Stadium

• Seattle, WA – Lumen Field

Canada (2 Host Cities)

• Toronto – BMO Field

• Vancouver – BC Place

Mexico (3 Host Cities)

• Mexico City – Estadio Azteca

• Guadalajara – Estadio Akron

• Monterrey – Estadio BBVA

Each stadium will host multiple group-stage matches, while select venues, like MetLife Stadium, AT&T Stadium and Estadio Azteca, are candidates for major knockout round matches.

Fans using SeatGeek will be able to filter tickets by city, stadium, or match type, making it easy to build a dream itinerary across countries.

Tournament Format and Schedule Overview

The expanded format brings a new structure that balances competition and logistics.

Group Stage

• 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four

• Each team plays three matches

• Top two teams from each group plus eight best third-place finishers advance

• Matches will be regionally clustered to minimize travel

Knockout Rounds

• Round of 32 → Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final

• Every match from the Round of 32 onward is single elimination

• Extra time (two 15-minute halves) and penalty shootouts apply when tied after 90 minutes

The tournament will span roughly five weeks, beginning in mid-June and concluding in mid-July.

Qualification and Participating Teams

The 2026 World Cup’s expanded structure allows more nations to qualify than ever before. 45 qualifiers plus the three hosts.

Automatic Qualifiers:

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

Regional Allocations:

• Europe (UEFA): 16 teams

• Africa (CAF): 9 teams

• Asia (AFC): 8 teams

• South America (CONMEBOL): 6 teams

• North America, Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF): 6 teams (including hosts)

• Oceania (OFC): 1 team

• Intercontinental Playoffs: 2 spots

Qualified Teams (as of Oct. 2025):

• Europe (UEFA): England (15 other slots TBD)

• Africa (CAF): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia

• Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Uzbekistan

• South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay

• North America, Central America & Caribbean (CONCACAF): U.S., Canada and Mexico (3 other slots TBD)

• Oceania (OFC): New Zealand

• Intercontinental Playoffs: 2 slots TBD

This global mix ensures every confederation is represented, making 2026 the most diverse and competitive World Cup to date.

What Will Tickets Cost?

Official FIFA ticket prices are not yet confirmed, but based on past tournaments and industry projections, here’s what fans can expect:

Prices vary by stadium, team and matchup, so a Canada vs. Morocco group game in Vancouver would likely cost far less than a Brazil vs. Argentina knockout clash in Miami.

Factors That Influence Price

Several elements affect how much fans pay for tickets, and understanding them can help you spot better value when browsing listings on SeatGeek:

• Match importance (group stage vs. knockout)

• Star players and team popularity

• Stadium capacity and city

• Day of the week and time of match

SeatGeek’s marketplace lets you compare ticket options easily, ensuring you find the best value seats across all official host venues, without hidden fees.

How to Buy 2026 World Cup Tickets

Securing tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the most exciting and competitive parts of the fan experience, so it’s helpful to understand how the sales process works before the first release.

Fans can expect FIFA’s official ticket rollout to follow several stages:

• Lottery Phase (Random Draw): Fans register to apply for tickets before they go on sale.

• First-Come, First-Served Sales: Remaining tickets open to the public until sold out.

• Official Resale Platforms: Verified resales appear through authorized partners such as SeatGeek, allowing fans to buy safely with total transparency.

By knowing these phases in advance, fans can increase their chances of getting great seats early, and rely on trusted marketplaces like SeatGeek for verified options once official sales open.

Buying on SeatGeek

SeatGeek makes it simple to:

• Browse all matches by city, stadium or team

• Use interactive seat maps to preview your view

• Track prices and filter by best deals using the Deal Score feature

• Checkout securely with no hidden fees

With these tools, fans can plan confidently, knowing every ticket purchase on SeatGeek is transparent, secure, and backed by the excitement of soccer’s biggest stage.

Travel and Fan Experience

The North American setup offers unmatched travel possibilities. Fans can plan multi-city trips, following teams through different regions while exploring new destinations.

Regional Clusters:

• West: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles

• Central: Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City

• East: Toronto, Atlanta, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston

FIFA and host cities are coordinating fan zones, public viewing areas and upgraded transit networks to handle record attendance. Many cities are expected to launch Fan Festivals with concerts, food markets and watch parties, making the experience more than just the matches.

Notable Contenders and Storylines

While full qualification won’t be finalized until 2025, several key narratives are already taking shape:

• Argentina: The defending champions look to continue their golden run.

• France: A deep, youthful squad with back-to-back final appearances in 2018 and 2022.

• Brazil: Forever a top contender, aiming to reclaim glory with another generation of attacking talent.

• United States: Hosting and fielding a talented roster, the U.S. will be under the spotlight.

• Morocco: After a groundbreaking 2022 performance, the Atlas Lions will look to go even further.

With the expanded field, we’ll likely see new debut nations, fresh underdog stories, and matches that capture the unpredictable spirit of soccer.

How to Prepare for the Tournament

Whether you’re planning to attend one match or an entire run of games, here are a few early tips:

• Create a short list of must-see matches or teams. The earlier you plan, the better the deals.

• Set ticket alerts on SeatGeek so you’re notified when listings go live.

• Plan travel early, especially for high-demand cities like Los Angeles or New York.

• Book accommodations near transit lines; most host cities will have shuttle systems to and from stadiums.

• Download the SeatGeek app to keep digital tickets, seat views, and city maps all in one place.

With these steps, fans can stay ahead of the rush, lock in the best seats, and enjoy a stress-free World Cup experience from start to finish.

Why Buy World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek

SeatGeek simplifies the entire experience of attending one of the most complex tournaments ever staged.

Interactive Seat Maps

See exactly what your view will look like before you buy, compare sections, and find the best seats for your budget.

No Hidden Fees

The price you see is the price you pay, every time.

Multi-City Flexibility

Follow your team from city to city, or hop between host venues with ease. SeatGeek’s search tools let you plan seamlessly across borders.

Fans will be able to filter matches by country, date, price, or venue to customize their ultimate World Cup experience.

FAQs: FIFA World Cup 2026

When will the match schedule be released?

The full match schedule and venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be released after the draw, which determines the group stage matchups. The draw will occur on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. By that date, the majority of the World Cup teams will be confirmed. Others will still be fighting for coveted bids, with the final two teams decided at the interconfederation playoff in March 2026.

How many tickets will be available?

Several millions of tickets are expected to be released across all 2026 FIFA World Cup sales phases, with the majority going to fans.

Will tickets be digital or physical?

For the World Cup specifically, fans should expect a mobile-only delivery process across nearly all matches.

How can I follow a specific team?

FIFA typically offers “Team-Specific Ticket Series” that cover all matches played by one nation. SeatGeek will also allow fans to filter listings by team once fixtures are announced.

Get Ready for Soccer’s Biggest Stage

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will redefine what it means to host a global sporting event. With three countries, 48 teams and fans from every continent converging across North America, it promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for players and supporters alike.

Find your FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and start planning your ultimate match day adventure, from opening kickoff to the Final that will crown a new world champion.