Tournament guide

How World Cup 2026 Works

The 2026 tournament brings 48 teams into 12 groups, followed by a 32-team knockout phase across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Format

Group Stage

48Teams

12Groups

4Teams per group

3Group matches per team

Every team plays the other three teams in its group once. Wins are worth three points, draws one point, and losses zero.

Qualification

Road to the Knockout Phase

1Top two in each group advance.

2The eight best third-place teams also advance.

3The Round of 32 starts the knockout bracket.

Tournament phases

Match Program

Full match list

Group Stage 72 matches Round of 32 16 matches Round of 16 8 matches Quarterfinals 4 matches Semifinals 2 matches Third Place 1 matches Final 1 matches

Host nations

Venues Across North America

Explore venues

Canada

2 venues

Toronto, Vancouver

Mexico

3 venues

Guadalajara, Guadalupe, Mexico City

USA

11 venues

Arlington, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, East Rutherford, New Jersey, Foxborough, Massachusetts, Houston, Texas, Inglewood, California, Kansas City, Missouri, Miami Gardens, Florida, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Santa Clara, California, Seattle, Washington

What to Watch

The expanded format makes the third-place table one of the most important live stories of the group stage. Goal difference, goals scored, and late results in other groups can change the knockout picture quickly.

The final week shifts from survival football to single-match pressure: quarterfinals, semifinals, the third-place match, and the final.