GoKawiilWe've been hearing about the 2026 FIFA World Cup for months, and it's now upon us.
There are more teams and host stadiums than ever this year, and tickets to World Cup matches have been a hot topic since they were first released, with many fans priced out, and transportation to the US and to the stadiums themselves becoming a barrier to attending for some. That's why you'll find me watching every match from the comfort of my home (or maybe at a local park or bar for a watch party) when the tournament begins on June 11.
Matches will run daily until July 19, and this year, you'll be able to watch them all on Fox and FS1. You can catch every single match in Spanish on Peacock, too.
Here's a primer on everything else you might be wondering about this year's World Cup, including which teams are playing, where matches will be held and who's headlining the first-ever World Cup final halftime show.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
This year's World Cup begins on June 11 with a match between co-host Mexico and South Africa, to be held in Mexico City.
There will be 48 teams playing in 104 matches over a little over a month. The championship final is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 19, at New York New Jersey Stadium (aka MetLife Stadium), home to the NFL's Jets and Giants, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The group stage runs until June 27, after which the knockout stage begins. The Round of 32 will run from June 28-July 3, the Round of 16 is July 4-7, the quarterfinals are July 9-11 and the semifinals are July 14 and 15.
Moondes/Jeffrey Hazelwood/CNET
Which teams are in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
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