sports

World Cup 2026: 48 Teams, North America Hosts

The 23rd FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams, with matches hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the US from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The 39-day tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 venues, with Argentina defending their title and four teams making their debut: Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. The tournament begins in Mexico City on June 11 and concludes at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. afnews.co.za

Unlike previous editions, the knockout phase will start with the round of 32, followed by round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals before the final. Stadium names have been rebranded to restrict ambush marketing.