Traveling greater distances will be necessary for the 2026 World Cup, which will be contested in North America. From June 9th to July 18th, 2026, those are the dates.
Canada, the world’s second-largest nation, will play host to this historic event for the very first time. Both Toronto and Vancouver will serve as its headquarters.
Mexico, on the other hand, will be hosting the World Cup for the third time—an unprecedented occurrence. Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey will serve as its hosting cities.
2026 World Cup Locations and Teams
At eleven locations across the country—in cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the Bay Area from San Francisco, and Seattle—the United States will top the list as the nation with the most locations to host games.
An additional curiosity of the 2026 World Cup will be the rise in the number of participating nations. With an increase from 32 to 48 squads, a total of 104 games will be played.
The 48 participating teams will be split into 12 groups of 4. To go to the round of 32, you need to finish first or second in your group, along with the top eight third parties on the group stage.
Another way to enjoy the action of the World Cup is by looking into the odds at your favorite sportsbook. Nothing beats the thrill of enjoying the game play-by-play and making money at the same time!
More chances, more happy fans
All FIFA confederations will enjoy an increase in the number of spots for Mexico/United States/Canada 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will have 16 venues spread across North America.
In South America, the number of spots in Conmebol will go from 4 and a half to 6, while the North American CONCACAF will have the possibility of sending 6 teams instead of 3.
On the other side of the Atlantic, in Europe, UEFA will have 16 spots instead of 13.
Africa will have 9, unlike the current 5, while Asia will add 8, almost doubling its current 4 and a half spots.
Finally, Oceania will have a guaranteed spot instead of the current half spot.
According to FIFA, the forthcoming event might attract as many as 5.5 million spectators, breaking the previous record set in 1994 in the United States, when an average of 68,000 people watched each World Cup play.
It is estimated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in the almost four-year cycle until the 2026 World Cup, almost US$4 billion more would be generated than was produced during the same period before the World Cup in Qatar.
FIFA has stated that the profits that come from the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be used towards football development worldwide, including special investments in women’s football.
