The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup is so close. This time, things are shifting. For the first time, 3 nations (the U.S., Canada and Mexico) will co-host the tournament. They will unite 48 teams (a 50% increase from 2022, by the way) across 104 matches in 16 cities.
All of this sounds like a lot of fun. Curious about how it’ll work? Well, in this article, we’ll show you how the World Cup will take place. Keep reading.
Top Teams Playing at the 2026 World Cup?
These are the top teams to keep an eye on:
France
These guys are on fire. After grabbing the trophy in 2018 and almost doing it again in Qatar 2022, they’re looking scary. Kylian Mbappé is just out of this world. He’s tearing it up at Madrid, and many are saying “he’s the best player in the world.” With Antoine Griezmann and Eduardo Camavinga backing him up, good luck trying to beat them.
Brazil
Neymar’s got his eye on something. He wants to score more goals than the legendary Pelé. With Vinícius Jr. running around making defenders look silly, Brazil could finally get their first World Cup since 2002.
Argentina
Despite their 2022 win, Lionel Messi and the lads aren’t finished. Watch out for Julián Álvarez. The spider’s something special.
England
Things are looking different with Thomas Tuchel calling the shots. He’s got Jude Bellingham bringing fresh energy and Harry Kane doing what he does best – scoring goals left and right. Kane even knocked Wayne Rooney off the top of England’s scoring charts.
Spain
The La Furia Rojas cannot be neglected in any permutations surrounding which teams will win the next World Cup. They are the current European Champions, and are former winners. Apart from their pedigree, the Spaniards seem to have rediscovered their mojos on the international football scene under their new head coach Luis de la Fuente.
With the emergence of exciting stars like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Bilbao’s Williams, Spain is set to light the football world on fire too. Defensively, it appears the European nation might have finally found the replacements for Puyol and Pique in Pau Cubrasi and Dean Huijsen. If all things go according to plan, Spain may compete big for the world title in North America.
Host Nations
Playing in your backyard can be a charm. That’s surely what the United States, Mexico, and Canada are hoping for. The U.S. has Christian Pulisic leading the way, while Canada’s got Alphonso Davies zooming up and down the field like a rocket. Their former coach Gregg Berhalter nails it: “The energy from home crowds will be electric.”
Don’t sleep on other teams: Portugal (this might be the last time we see Ronaldo on the big stage), Germany’s always dangerous, and Uruguay might surprise. Italy’s also itching to make up for missing out in 2022.
When is the Opening Game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Mark your calendars for the 11th of June, 2026. That’s when Mexico kicks the tournament off. It’s also been confirmed that the host opening match will be at the iconic Azteca stadium. Pretty cool that this stadium’s making history. It’ll be the first one to host three World Cups (after 1970 and 1986).
Mexico’s playing first, but we’ll have to wait and see who they’re up against. It’ll be someone from group A.
Other Opening Games:
- Canada jumps in with their first match on June 12 in Toronto
- The United States will begin their campaign in Los Angeles on June 12 as well
Fun Fact: FIFA’s looking at 6 million+ fans to show up across all 16 cities. AT&T Stadium in Texas is going to be a busy venue. It’ll host nine games. Can’t make it there? No worries – technology’s got your back. You can kick back on your couch and feel like you’re right there in the stands.
All We Know About the Schedules So Far
Curious about the 2026 World Cup match schedule? We are, too. Here’s what’s fixed:
Group Stage (11 of June–27th, 2026):
FIFA decided the format would change this time. Instead of 8 groups, we’ve got 12 groups of four teams each. The best part? More teams get to move on – the top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-place teams.
The home teams get a sweet setup. Canada, the United States and Mexico get to play all their first number of games in their own backyard. Mexico wraps up their group stage matches on June 24 at the Estadio Azteca.
Big Games to Circle on Your Calendar
- June 11: Mexico kicks things off at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City (we’ll find out who they’re playing later)
- June 12: Double the fun as both the United States and Canada start their journey (opponents coming soon)
- June 24: The United States play their last group game at SoFi Stadium (still waiting on who they’re playing)
Tournament Knockout Rounds
The knockout phase is where it gets really good:
- Round of 32: It will take place from June 29 to July 3
- Semifinals: July 14 in Dallas and July 15 in Atlanta
- World Cup Final: The final will take place on July 19. It’ll be at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (holding 82,500 fans)
Heads Up for Travelers: This tournament is spread out across North America, so fans might need to hop between cities like Vancouver (BC Place), Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). Pack your bags!
Betting Tips for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Betting would be crazy during the 2026 World Cup, that’s for sure. If you’re thinking about placing some bets, here’s what betting expert Evelyn Balyton suggests:
- Bet Early: Jump on France or Brazil early. There are good odds which probably won’t last
- Take a Chance: Uruguay or Portugal could make you some serious money
- Goal Scorers: Safe money’s on Mbappé or Kane to score the most
- Other Bets: Look for easy money in mismatched group games – things like “who scores first” or “how many corner kicks
Quick Tip: Wait for the last two teams to qualify in March 2026. You might find some good betting chances there.
While at it, remember the principles of responsible gambling. Betting’s fun, but you’ve got to be careful. Also, you can bet on other things apart from football. People in the Philippines can try their hands on basketball. The Philippines Basketball Association has a lot of games and betting markets for you. Want to bet on PBA odds online? Check out the bookies offering them from MightyTips to start.
Conclusion
The World Cup 2026 will take place differently in North America. From that first kick in Mexico City all the way to the wild celebrations in New Jersey, every match is going to be something else. We’ll see smaller teams getting their chance to shine and watch magic happen when stars like Mbappé hit the field.
Here’s what French legend Youri Djorkaeff thinks: “This World Cup is the starting point for football’s future in North America.” So get ready for June 11 to July 19 next year. Trust us – you’re going to want to catch every second of this one.
