On 11 June 2026 the football World Cup opened — the biggest sporting event ever held. For the first time in history, three countries jointly hosted the tournament: the United States, Canada and Mexico. 48 national teams, 104 matches, 16 stadiums — and World Cup 2026 ended on 19 July 2026. Here's everything you need to know.
The opening match was held on 11 June 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — the legendary stadium that has already hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986). With a capacity of 83,000 spectators, it's the largest stadium in the tournament.
The big final took place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York — home of the New York Giants and within walking distance of Manhattan. Final tickets reached prices of up to $4,185.
The 2026 World Cup will be different from every World Cup before it. FIFA increased the number of participants from 32 to 48 national teams — a 50% jump compared to Qatar 2022. This means:
This means: more national teams from Asia, Africa and Latin America will reach the knockout stage. This World Cup will be more open than ever.
The tournament will span 16 stadiums:
The Largest Stadium: Estadio Azteca with 83,000 seats. It's one of the most legendary stadiums in world football.
As of the end of March 2026, 42 of the 48 National Teams have already secured their place in the tournament. The last 6 spots are being decided in a playoff taking place between 26-31 March 2026.
England, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Norway, Switzerland, Scotland, Austria — and additional national teams from the continent.
Argentina (the reigning world champions), Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay — all six South American national teams qualified.
The Israeli national team will not take part in World Cup 2026. Israel finished third in Group I of European qualifying, with Norway finishing first and Italy second (advancing to the playoff). Despite some decent performances, the national team failed to secure its place.
For the first time, FIFA introduced a subsidized entry price for local fans — but regular tickets are also available to everyone:
Want to Be There? TikTik sold tickets for World Cup 2026 matches — the group stage, the knockout stage, and up to the big final on 19 July.
Beyond its unprecedented size, World Cup 2026 brings several historic innovations:
World Cup 2026 is not just a football tournament — it's an event that redefines world sport. 48 national teams, 104 matches, three countries, 16 stadiums and tickets starting at just $60. If you ever dreamed of seeing a World Cup match live, the tournament ended on 19 July 2026.
