On June 11, 2026, North America will host the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup™ 26. The tournament will be held across three countries and 16 host cities, featuring an expanded field of 48 teams. This edition is anticipated to be the largest and most inclusive in FIFA World Cup™ history. It is expected to attract approximately 6.5 million spectators to stadiums in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, fostering a sense of unity across the continent and around the world through the sport of football.
“One year from now, the greatest football show on the planet will definitely captivate the world like never before,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “This is more than a tournament, it’s a global celebration of connection, unity and passion. From every corner of the world, dreams are turning into reality as teams qualify and fans make their plans to be part of history, counting down to the biggest FIFA World Cup yet.”
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The milestone occurs as the United States prepares to host the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup™, scheduled to begin this Saturday in Miami, Florida. The tournament will feature 32 of the top club teams from around the world competing for the title of FIFA’s official club world champion.
To celebrate the one-year milestone, all 16 Host Cities will introduce countdown clocks featuring their respective Official Host City Brand, inspired by local culture. These clocks have been installed at prominent and central locations within each city and will count down to midnight on June 11, 2026, marking the beginning of the world’s most anticipated sporting event in North America.
Local community events, stakeholder celebrations, and other activities will take place across North America, bringing regional members together for the most significant celebration of the tournament to date. Additionally, each Host City will premiere a video featuring a local celebrity or personality, highlighting the unique and inspiring qualities of their city.
“The splendour, culture and unique flavour of each of our 16 Host Cities will be on full display as the FIFA World Cup shows the world all that North America has to offer,” said President Infantino. “We look forward to hosting teams and guests from every continent to celebrate the beautiful game on its most majestic stage.”
As of one year remaining until the event, the first 13 teams have been officially confirmed for this historic tournament. Alongside the co-host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—who have qualified automatically, ten additional national teams have recently secured their spots. These include current champions Argentina, as well as first-time qualifiers Jordan and Uzbekistan, along with Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. The remaining 35 teams will be determined through March 2026. Group stage matchups will be finalized during the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Draw, scheduled for December 2025.
Tickets for the FIFA World Cup 26 will go on sale to the general public in the coming months.
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