It's almost here! We are less than one month out from the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- here are five things you need to know before it starts.
Size
This year’s World Cup is the largest yet with 48 teams set to compete – a massive increase from the 32 that played in Qatar back in 2022. More teams, means more action – 104 total matches are set to be played.
How it works
With an expanded field, each team will play three group stage matches, with the top two teams and the eight best third-place finishers advancing to a 32-team single-elimination bracket leading up to the final, which will be played right up I-95 in the Meadowlands.
LocationÂ
For the first time since 1994, the World Cup is back in the USA! Matches will take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and Philly is set to host six of them, including a Round of 16 matchup on the Fourth of July – America’s 250th anniversary.Â
Countries
Those three host nations automatically qualify to play, joining unsurprising powerhouses from around the world, but let’s go a little deeper into who else will take the World stage. Four countries are set to make their World Cup debut – Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Curcaco, which is the smallest nation by population to ever qualify and one of the teams that’ll play in Philly. Also gotta shout out Haiti – who will make their second-ever appearance, their first since 1974, and this time around, Philadelphia Union’s own Danley Jean Jacques will be on the roster.Â
Players
While we do know which countries will compete for global glory – what we don’t yet know, is exactly who will represent them. Throughout the month, countries will condense their provisional squads from as many as 55 players down to 26 players max. On June 2nd, FIFA will confirm every country’s final roster, then action begins at last with Mexico vs South Africa on June 11th. All matches will be broadcast on FOX Sports. Happy watching!
