FIFA World Cup 2026 Comprehensive Guide, Venues, and Key Information

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the largest and most ambitious edition of the tournament in history. For the first time, three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will serve as co-hosts, welcoming a record-breaking field of 48 teams. Moving away from the traditional 32-team format, the 2026 Games will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities, ensuring a summer of unprecedented global football fever.

With the tournament scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the world is already turning its attention to the venues, the qualifiers, and the final swan songs of the sport's greatest legends.

When and where is the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The 2026 World Cup officially kicks off on June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final will be held on July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey) in East Rutherford.

World Cup Venues by Country

United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle.

Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey.

Canada: Toronto, Vancouver.

Has Nigeria qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

Nigeria’s qualification status is not yet secured, and the "Super Eagles" are facing a high-stakes finish to their campaign.

The Standings: Following the conclusion of Group C matches in the CAF qualifiers, South Africa finished top of the group with 18 points, securing direct qualification.

The Lifeline: Nigeria finished second with 17 points. This means they must now compete in the CAF playoff tournament (and potentially the inter-confederation playoffs) to earn one of the final spots.

History: Nigeria has qualified for six World Cups but notably missed the 2022 edition. They have never won the FIFA World Cup, with their best performances being Round of 16 exits in 1994, 1998, and 2014.

Is Ronaldo playing the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. In early 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed that he intends to lead Portugal in North America for what he has described as his "final major tournament."

Age Factor: Ronaldo will be 41 years old when the tournament begins.

Current Form: He remains a key part of the Portuguese squad, having played a significant role in their successful qualifying campaign.

Base Camp: Portugal is reportedly planning to set up their tournament base in Miami, allowing Ronaldo to utilize top-tier facilities while potentially being near his long-time rival, Lionel Messi.

Referees and Match Officials

The FIFA Refereeing International List for 2026 has been finalized. Elite officials like Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor (England), along with Michael Venne (Canada), are among those selected. For the first time, a larger pool of officials will be used to manage the expanded 104-match schedule.

Comparison: 2022 vs. 2026 Format

Feature	2022 (Qatar)	2026 (NA)
Teams	32	48
Total Matches	64	104
Tournament Length	29 Days	39 Days
Groups	8 Groups of 4	12 Groups of 4