The wait is almost over. If you’re checking your calendar and wondering when is the next football world cup, you’ve basically got a date with destiny starting on June 11, 2026. This isn't just another tournament. It is a massive, continent-spanning monster of an event that’s going to change how we think about international soccer forever. Honestly, the sheer scale of what FIFA is pulling off in North America is kind of hard to wrap your head around until you see the numbers.
For the first time ever, three countries—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—are teaming up to host. We’re moving away from the compact, single-city vibes we saw in Qatar. Instead, we’re getting a sprawling 39-day festival of football that ends with a final on July 19, 2026.
The Timeline: When is the next football world cup actually happening?
The action officially kicks off at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It’s fitting, really. That stadium has seen Pelé and Maradona lift the trophy, and now it gets to host the opening match of the biggest World Cup in history. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your home openers are just a day later. The United States starts their journey at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, while Canada opens up at BMO Field in Toronto on that same Friday.
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It’s going to be a long summer. We’re looking at 104 matches in total. That’s a huge jump from the 64 games we’ve grown used to over the last few decades. Because there are so many teams, the tournament has been extended to nearly six weeks of straight football. You'll probably need to clear your schedule from mid-June through most of July if you plan on catching even half of the action.
Why 2026 is totally different from anything before
Most people get wrong just how much the format has changed. It’s not just more games; it’s more everything. FIFA decided to expand the field to 48 teams.
For years, we had 32 teams split into eight groups of four. It was clean. It was simple. Now, we’re looking at 12 groups of four teams each. The top two from every group go through, but here’s the kicker: the eight best third-place teams also advance to a brand-new Round of 32. This means one extra knockout round. To win the whole thing, a team now has to survive eight matches instead of the traditional seven. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
The Host Cities and Where to Watch
The geography is wild. You’ve got games in the high altitude of Mexico City, the humid heat of Miami, and the potentially chilly Pacific Northwest air in Vancouver.
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In the United States, 11 cities are taking the lead. You’ve got Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Mexico is bringing Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey to the party. Canada rounds it out with Vancouver and Toronto.
Dallas is actually the "hub" in many ways, hosting nine total matches at AT&T Stadium, including a semi-final. But the biggest prize went to the East Coast. The World Cup Final is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It’s a bit of a controversial choice for some who wanted the final in L.A. or Dallas, but the proximity to New York City’s global spotlight won out.
Getting Tickets and Planning Ahead
If you're thinking about going, you aren't alone. Demand is expected to be unlike anything we've seen. FIFA usually handles ticket sales through their own portal, and it typically happens in phases.
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The first "random selection draw" usually opens about a year or so before the tournament, but with the draw for the groups already having taken place in Washington D.C. back in December 2025, the picture is becoming much clearer. You can already see which teams are headed where. For instance, we know Group A is centered in Mexico, Group B in Canada, and Group D in the Western U.S.
- Registration: Get your name on the FIFA ticketing mailing list now.
- Budgeting: Expect flights between host cities to be the biggest hidden cost.
- Travel: Remember that traveling between Mexico, the U.S., and Canada involves three different sets of customs and immigration rules.
What the qualifiers tell us so far
Qualifying for a 48-team tournament feels a bit different. Some of the "big" nations that usually sweat it out are breathing a little easier, but the pressure is still there. We’ve already seen some surprises in the AFC and CAF regions where the extra slots have given smaller nations a real shot at their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Argentina is looking to defend their crown, but by 2026, the squad will look a lot different. Whether Messi makes an appearance as a 39-year-old is the question everyone is asking. Even if he’s just on the bench, the "Messi Effect" in the U.S. has already primed the country for a soccer explosion.
Final Logistics and Actionable Steps
The 2026 World Cup is going to be a logistical puzzle. If you are planning to attend, the time to start acting is basically yesterday.
- Check your Passport: Make sure it doesn’t expire before late 2026.
- Housing: Hotels in cities like Kansas City or Guadalajara will book up the second the specific match pairings are finalized. Consider looking at "base camp" cities where teams will be training if you want a more relaxed vibe.
- The Schedule: Download the official FIFA app. It’s the only way to keep track of 104 matches across four different time zones.
This tournament is the "Big One." It’s the moment soccer—or football, depending on where you’re standing—truly cements itself in the North American mainstream. Mark June 11 on your calendar. It’s going to be a wild ride.