⚽
World Cup 2026
Browse by Group, Round, City, or Stadium
Hub Links
Overview
World Cup HubGuideFormatBracketResultsLive GamesHost Nations
Schedule
All GamesGroup StageKnockout ScheduleToday's GamesThis Week
Rounds
Rounds HubMatchday 1Matchday 2Matchday 3Round of 32Round of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsThird PlaceFinal
Groups
Groups HubStandingsAll Group TablesGroup AGroup BGroup CGroup DGroup EGroup FGroup GGroup HGroup IGroup JGroup KGroup L
Teams
All 48 TeamsAll RostersPlayer PagesHost NationsUSAMexicoCanada
Venues
StadiumsHost CitiesBy VenueBy CityBy State

World Cup 2026 Complete Guide

Everything in one place: format, schedule, groups, rounds, teams, and venues.

Quick Start

Tournament Snapshot

  • 48 teams and 104 total games.
  • 12 groups of 4 teams; top 2 + best third-place teams advance.
  • Round of 32 begins the knockout stage.
  • Third Place and Final have separate dedicated pages.
  • Host nations: USA, Canada, and Mexico.

World Cup 2026 Complete Guide — FAQs

How does the 2026 World Cup work?

The tournament has two phases. First, 48 teams play a round-robin group stage (June 11–27) split into 12 groups of four. Then 32 qualifiers compete in a single-elimination bracket: Round of 32 → Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Third Place Match → Final on July 19.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup and how did they qualify?

48 nations qualified: 16 from UEFA (Europe), 9 from CAF (Africa), 8 from AFC (Asia), 6 from CONMEBOL (South America), 6 from CONCACAF (North/Central America & Caribbean), 1 from OFC (Oceania), plus automatic host-nation berths for USA, Mexico, and Canada.

What is the group stage format in the 2026 World Cup?

Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss across three group games. The top two from each group advance automatically. Additionally, the 8 best third-place records across all 12 groups also qualify for the Round of 32.

What is the Round of 32 and why is it new?

The Round of 32 is a new knockout round added specifically for the 48-team format. Because the group stage produces 32 qualifiers (vs. 16 in the old format), FIFA added this stage between the group stage and Round of 16. It runs June 28 – July 3.

How many teams advance from the group stage?

32 teams advance: the top two from each of the 12 groups (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-place finishers across all groups, ranked by points, goal difference, and goals scored.

How does the tiebreaker work if two teams are level on points?

Tiebreaker order: (1) Head-to-head points, (2) Head-to-head goal difference, (3) Head-to-head goals scored, (4) Overall goal difference, (5) Overall goals scored, (6) FIFA Fair Play points (fewer cards), (7) FIFA world ranking.

How does the knockout stage work in the 2026 World Cup?

It's single-elimination from the Round of 32 onward. Lose once and you're out. The path: Round of 32 (32 teams) → Round of 16 (16) → Quarterfinals (8) → Semifinals (4) → Third Place Match and Final.

What happens in extra time and penalties in the World Cup?

Any knockout game tied after 90 minutes gets 30 minutes of extra time (two 15-minute halves). If still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner. The 2022 Final itself was decided by penalties.

Where is the 2026 World Cup Final being played?

The Final is July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. Capacity approximately 82,500 — the largest venue in the tournament and about 8 miles from midtown Manhattan.

What channel is the 2026 World Cup on in the USA?

Fox (broadcast) and FS1/FS2 in English; Telemundo and Universo in Spanish. Stream on Fubo TV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live, or Peacock with a subscription. Fox games are free over-the-air with a digital antenna.

How long does the 2026 World Cup last?

39 days: June 11 (opening match) through July 19 (Final). The group stage lasts 17 days; the knockout stage runs 22 days.

Who are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup?

France, Argentina (reigning champions), Brazil, England, and Spain consistently rank as the top betting favorites. The USA, as host nation playing at home stadiums throughout the tournament, will have an unprecedented home advantage in Group D.