US, Canada and Mexico Host Expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 national teams [1, 2].

This tournament marks a significant expansion of the sport's global reach. By increasing the number of participating teams and utilizing three host nations, FIFA is testing a new format designed to broaden international competition and showcase the growth of soccer in North America [2, 3].

The competition is scheduled to run from June 8, 2026, to July 8, 2026 [1, 2]. While some reports suggest a start date of June 10, the official schedule lists the opening on June 8 [1, 2]. Matches are being played in 16 host cities ^[2], with Los Angeles serving as a primary venue for the event ^[1].

“With 48 teams and 16 host cities, the 2026 World Cup will be the biggest tournament in history,” the CBS Sports editorial team said ^[2].

Global superstars are driving fan engagement for the three-nation host. High-profile players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to be the primary draws ^[3]. Other key athletes to watch include Christian Pulisic, Alphonso Davies, and Raúl Jiménez ^[3].

Logistical preparations in major hubs have been extensive. A travel reporter for the New York Post said, “Los Angeles is set to become the crossroads of the soccer universe for a week in June” ^[1]. The city and other hosts are managing an influx of thousands of fans arriving from six different continents ^[1].

This iteration of the World Cup represents the largest scale the tournament has ever seen. The coordination between three different national governments and 16 cities requires unprecedented logistical synchronization — a test of infrastructure and security across the continent [1, 2].