2026 FIFA World Cup

Notes

First World Cup with 48 teams (expanded from 32) and first hosted by three nations. New format: 12 groups of 4 → top 2 from each group + 8 best 3rd-place teams advance to a Round of 32 → R16 → QF → SF → 3rd / Final. Total of 104 matches. The final will be at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ). Mexico becomes the first nation to host three World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026). Each host has its own mascot: Maple (Canada — moose), Zayu (Mexico — jaguar), Clutch (USA — bald eagle). Squads finalize approximately 2 weeks before kickoff (late May 2026).

Awards & marks

Ball

Adidas Trionda

Mascot

Maple, Zayu, and Clutch

Confederation breakdown

• UEFA0
• CONMEBOL0
• Concacaf0
• CAF0
• AFC0
• OFC0

📚 Trivia (2)

• format2026 will be the first World Cup with 48 teams (up from 32). Format: 12 groups of 4 → top 2 + 8 best 3rd-place teams advance to a Round of 32 → R16 → QF → SF → 3rd → Final. Total of 104 matches (up from 64 in 2022).
• firsts2026 will be the first World Cup ever co-hosted by three nations: USA, Canada, and Mexico. Mexico will become the first nation to host three World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026). The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.