2026 FIFA World Cup: Three Nations to Host Expanded Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks a historic milestone as the first tournament hosted by three nations and the first in North America since 1994. The final match will be held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The upcoming World Cup will witness an expansion to 48 teams from the previous 32, with the United 2026 bid successfully beating Morocco’s rival bid. The 16 host cities have been announced, including Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Monterrey, Mexico City, Toronto, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Miami.
The tournament will span 39 days, an increase from the 32 days of the 2014 and 2018 editions. Each team will still play three group matches, with the total number of matches increasing from 64 to 104. The number of games played by teams reaching the final four will also increase from seven to eight.
Argentina, the reigning champions after their thrilling penalty shootout victory over France in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will be looking to defend their title. The tournament is expected to attract a massive global audience, with fans eager to witness the world’s best football teams compete for the coveted trophy.
However, the World Cup preparations have been overshadowed by concerns over visa applications. During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump expressed plans to tighten visa restrictions, which could potentially impact fan travel during the tournament. FIFA is closely monitoring the situation and working with the host nations to ensure a smooth and accessible experience for fans.