The FIFA World Cup is an international soccer tournament held every four years, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The tournament features teams from all over the world competing for the prestigious title of world champions. The next edition of the World Cup, scheduled to take place in 2026, will be the 23rd edition of the tournament.

• Egypt
• Burkina Faso
• Guinea-Bissau
• Sierra Leone
• Ethiopia
• Djibouti

• Senegal
• DR Congo
• Mauritania
• Togo
• Sudan
• South Sudan

• Nigeria
• South Africa
• Benin
• Zimbabwe
• Rwanda
• Lesotho

• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• Angola
• Libya
• Swaziland
• Mauritius

• Morocco
• Zambia
• Congo
• Tanzania
• Niger
• Eritrea

• Ivory Coast
• Gabon
• Kenya
• Gambia
• Burundi
• Seychelles

• Algeria
• Guinea
• Uganda
• Mozambique
• Botswana
• Somalia

• Tunisia
• Equatorial Guinea
• Namibia
• Malawi
• Liberia
• São Tomé and Principe

• Mali
• Ghana
• Madagascar
• Central Africa Republic
• Comoros
• Chad

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic event as it will be the first World Cup to feature an expanded format with 48 teams participating, up from the current 32. This decision was made by FIFA in January 2017, aiming to increase the inclusivity and global reach of the tournament. The expansion will allow more nations to participate and provide an opportunity for countries that have never qualified before to compete on the world stage.

The bidding process for hosting the 2026 World Cup was also unique. Instead of the traditional single-country bid, FIFA decided to accept joint bids from multiple countries or regions. This change was made to accommodate the increased number of teams and ensure that infrastructure and resources could be shared among multiple hosts. In June 2018, it was announced that a joint bid by Canada, Mexico, and the United States had been selected as the host for the 2026 World Cup.

The joint bid by Canada, Mexico, and the United States was named “United 2026” and received overwhelming support from FIFA member associations during the voting process. The bid showcased a vision of unity and cooperation among North American nations to deliver an exceptional tournament experience. The three countries have a strong soccer culture and infrastructure, with numerous modern stadiums already in place.

The United 2026 bid proposed a total of 16 host cities across North America, with each country hosting a portion of the matches. The United States will host the majority of games with 10 cities selected: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and New York/New Jersey. Canada will host matches in Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto, while Mexico will host games in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

The final match of the 2026 World Cup will be held at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which is part of the New York metropolitan area. This stadium has a seating capacity of over 82,000 spectators and has hosted numerous major sporting events in the past.

The expanded format of the 2026 World Cup will see an increase in the number of matches played. The tournament will feature a total of 80 matches, up from the current 64. The group stage will consist of 16 groups of three teams each, with the top two teams from each group advancing to a knockout stage. The knockout stage will follow a traditional format with single-elimination matches leading up to the final.

The hosting of the World Cup brings significant economic benefits to the host countries and regions. It stimulates tourism, boosts local economies through increased spending on accommodation, transportation, and entertainment. It also provides an opportunity for infrastructure development and improvements in transportation systems and stadiums.

In terms of broadcasting rights, the 2026 World Cup is expected to reach a global audience of billions. FIFA typically sells broadcasting rights to various networks and platforms around the world, ensuring that fans from all corners can watch the matches live or on-demand.

In conclusion, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a groundbreaking event with an expanded format and joint hosting by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament aims to promote inclusivity and provide more opportunities for nations to participate on the world stage. With its unique bidding process and vision of unity among North American nations, the United 2026 bid promises to deliver an exceptional tournament experience for players and fans alike.