FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a press conference to provide updates on preparations for the 2026 World Cup [1].
The event marks a significant transition for the tournament as it expands its scale and shifts to a multi-nation hosting model. This expansion aims to increase global participation and commercial reach for the sport.
Speaking from FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, Infantino said to media and stakeholders regarding the logistics of the upcoming tournament [2]. The event will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada [3]. According to the official schedule, the tournament is set to run from June 8 to July 8, 2026 [4].
One of the most significant changes for the 2026 edition is the increase in the number of participating teams. The tournament will feature 48 teams [5] — a move designed to open the competition to more nations across different continents.
Infantino expressed confidence in the organization of the event. "We are on track to deliver the biggest World Cup ever," he said [6]. Despite the scale of the undertaking, he urged stakeholders to remain calm, telling them to "chill, relax," he said [7].
Media reactions to the press conference varied. Some reports said the event was head-turning with clear takeaways [2]. Other outlets said the session was largely uneventful and that the president did little to convince skeptics of the plan [8].
Throughout the briefing, Infantino focused on the four key takeaways regarding format changes and the political issues surrounding the three host nations [2]. The expanded format is expected to increase the total number of matches played across the North American venues [5].
“"We are on track to deliver the biggest World Cup ever"”
The expansion to 48 teams represents a fundamental shift in the World Cup's structure, moving away from the traditional 32-team format. By distributing the event across three countries, FIFA is testing a decentralized hosting model that reduces the burden on a single nation while maximizing the commercial potential of the North American market.
