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Live countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026 Kickoff on June 11, 2026. Displays days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining. Fullscreen mode for TVs and projectors.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, 2026, marking the first time the tournament will be hosted across three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This expanded edition features 48 teams—up from 32—making it the largest World Cup in history, with 104 matches played over roughly five weeks in 16 host cities.
The 2026 tournament is a historic milestone for North American football. While Mexico previously hosted in 1970 and 1986, and the United States in 1994, Canada will stage World Cup matches for the first time. Host cities include iconic venues like the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, and Estadio Azteca in Mexico City—one of only two stadiums to host three World Cups.
Qualification has been intensely competitive, with every FIFA confederation sending more teams than ever before. The expanded format introduces a new group stage structure, with 12 groups of four teams, followed by a 32-team knockout round. Expect more matches, more upsets, and more emerging football nations on the world stage.
For fans, the 2026 World Cup promises an unparalleled experience. Fan festivals, cultural events, and watch parties will span the continent. Cities are upgrading transit infrastructure, building fan zones, and preparing for an influx of international visitors. It is projected to be the most-attended and most-watched sporting event in history.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup? The 2026 edition expands to 48 teams, up from the 32-team format used since 1998. This means more countries than ever will compete on the world's biggest football stage.
Which cities are hosting matches? Sixteen cities across three countries will host matches, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Kansas City, Boston, Atlanta, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Where can I buy tickets? Tickets are sold through FIFA's official ticketing portal. Demand is expected to be extremely high, so registering early and participating in the official ballot process is strongly recommended.