PARIS.- The World Cup That will be played from June 11 to July 19, 2026 will be the first edition in which 48 teams participate, distributed in 12 groups of four selections each, with the novelty of organizing it in three countries: USA, Mexico and Canada.
New format with 48 teams
With 48 participating selections for the first time, FIFA has finally opted for a fairly classic format, with 12 groups of four teams each, discarding the initially planned to create 16 keys with three combined each.
A decision based on the extra dose of emotion that gives the third and last day of each group, with two games simultaneously and on many occasions with everything to decide.
The first two classifieds of each group and the eight best third will be classified for the sixteenth final, so that the elimination phase will have one more round.
These 32 classified teams for the crosses will face themselves in a single and eliminatory match until the two survivors dispute the final on July 19, 2026 at the New York Metlife Stadium.
The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026 at the Azteca Stadium, which will enter history as the first scenario that houses the first match of the World Cup tournament for the third time, after having already done so in 1970 and 1986.
16 stadiums in three countries
United States (11 stadiums):
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium, 76,640 Plaza)
Boston (Gillette Stadium, 70,000 squares)
New York (Metlife Stadium, 87,157 squares)
Seattle (Lumen Field, 69,000 squares)
Philadelphie (Lincoln Financial Field, 69,000 squares)
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 70,000 squares)
San Francisco (Levi’s Stadium, 70,909 squares)
Los Angeles (Sofi Stadium, 70,240 squares)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, 67,518 places)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium, 92,967 places)
Houston (NRG Stadium, 72,220 places)
Mexico (3 stages):
Monterrey (BBVA Stadium, 53,460 squares)
Mexico (Azteca Stadium, 87,523 places)
Guadalajara (Akron Stadium, 48,071 squares)
Canada (2 stages):
Vancouver (BC Place, 54,500 places)
Toronto (BMO Field, 45,500 places)
