The countdown’s begun to the big 2026 FIFA World Cup! The upcoming tournament—which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States—represents a renewal of that hope. In what will become a historic landmark of football, this World Cup has seen the number of teams increase to 48. And it’s going to be the longest World Cup yet! It’s scheduled to take place June 11 – July 19, 2026 with 39 match-filled days of thrilling competition.
With the opening match set to kick off in Mexico City, the World Cup’s inaugural tournament will have a distinct cultural flair. It will take place in neighboring New Jersey. Football supporters from every corner of the planet will be there when the next world champion is crowned.
A Tri-Nation Collaboration
What’s more, the joint effort between Canada, Mexico and the United States is a first in World Cup history. Each country will contribute to hosting responsibilities, ensuring a diverse and vibrant experience for fans. The matches in the U.S. will take place in 11 different metropolitan areas. Our biggest terminals are in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, the New Jersey/New York region, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.
Canada will host a total of 13 matches in two cities: Toronto and Vancouver. Similarly, Mexico is set to hold 13 games across three cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. This pattern of match distribution is indicative of the UCI’s commitment to fostering inclusivity all throughout North America.
The tournament will also be the first to showcase state-of-the-art stadiums with cutting-edge player and fan-centric amenities. Notably, three stadiums—in Arlington, Atlanta, and Houston—boast retractable roofs that may be closed during matches to combat the summer heat. Both Inglewood and Vancouver would have permanent roofs that keep weather off and make it more comfortable for spectators.
A Historic Expansion
The change to go from 32 teams to 48 in the tournament is a huge shift away from the business as usual. This amendment opens up the opportunity for more eligible nations to compete, boosting global representation and competition. Teams from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America have already started earning their berths.
To date, England, South Africa, and Qatar have been some of the stronger teams to qualify to the tournament. From South America, football giants like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay have booked their spots. A number of other African countries are yet to confirm their qualifications. These countries comprise Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
Asian countries have already left an indelible impression by qualifying for this unprecedented tournament. Among those particularly worthy of mention are Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Uzbekistan.
The Road Ahead
With preparations in full swing towards welcoming the world to our turf in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, our soccer aficionados can hardly contain the blistering fever! So save the date—December 5, 2025! The tournament draw isn’t just a procedural formality, it’s the beginning of producing awesome matchups that will enthrall fans from every corner of the earth.
“Well, that’s an interesting question … but we’re going to make sure they’re safe. [Seattle and San Francisco are] run by radical left lunatics who don’t know what they’re doing.” – Donald Trump
This quote highlights many of the issues safety and management that are predominant in host cities. Organizers are working hard to make sure everyone — from new riders to seasoned pros — has a fun and safe experience.
