2026 World Cup opens with 48 teams, 104 matches across 3 nations
What’s next: Mexico opens against South Africa on June 11, and the final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week as the tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time, stretching to a record 104 matches over 39 days in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mexico hosts the opener on June 11 in Mexico City against South Africa, while the United States starts June 12 against Paraguay in the Los Angeles area. Canada’s first match is June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The new format grows the field from 32 teams to 12 groups of four, with a round of 32 added to the knockout stage. Host sites span 16 stadiums, including 11 in the U.S., and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will stage the final on July 19.