The FIFA World Cup 2026 is finally here, and it's shaping up to be the biggest tournament in the competition's history! Whether you're a lifelong soccer fan or someone who's just tuning in because Canada is hosting, there are a lot of exciting changes this year. From a record number of teams to matches taking place across 3 countries, here's everything you need to know before kickoff!

When Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start?

The tournament officially begins on June 11, 2026, with Mexico taking on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City! The competition runs for just over a month, with the final taking place on July 19, 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fans can expect non-stop soccer action throughout the tournament, with multiple matches taking place every day during the group stage!

Why Is This World Cup Different?

For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup is being hosted by 3 countries: Canada, the USA and Mexico. It's also the largest tournament in FIFA history, expanding from 32 teams to 48 teams! The expansion increases the total number of matches from 64 to 104, giving fans more opportunities to watch their favourite nations compete on soccer's biggest stage.

How Does the New Tournament Format Work?

The 48 qualified nations have been divided into 12 groups of four teams. Each team will play 3 group-stage matches, earning 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. The top 2 teams from each group automatically advance to the knockout stage, along with the 8 best third-place finishers. This creates a new Round of 32 before the tournament continues through the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final!

Which Cities Are Hosting Matches?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played across 16 host cities throughout North America. Canadian fans will be able to catch matches in Toronto and Vancouver, while host cities in the United States include Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City, San Francisco Bay Area, and New York New Jersey. Mexico's host cities are Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Toronto will host 6 matches during the tournament, making it one of Canada's key World Cup destinations!

Which Teams Have Qualified?

As co-hosts, Canada, the United States and Mexico automatically qualified for the tournament! They are joined by 45 other nations from around the world. This year's expanded format has also created more opportunities for countries to make their World Cup debuts, including Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cabo Verde, and Curaçao. While nations like Norway and Haiti are returning to the tournament after a long time coming!

What Should Fans Know About Toronto Matchdays?

If you're attending a match in Toronto, planning ahead is crucial! Toronto Stadium gates will open 3 hours before kickoff for most matches, while the opening match featuring Canada will open 4 hours before kickoff. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy pre-match entertainment, giveaways, and fan experience activities.

Public transit will be the primary way to get to the stadium, while public parking at and around the stadium will be extremely limited. Fans can also access official FIFA merchandise stores, free stadium Wi-Fi, charging stations, food and beverage vendors, and interactive fan zones throughout the venue.

What Is the FIFA Fan Festival Toronto?

Even if you don't have match tickets, Toronto will still be one of the best places to experience the tournament! The FIFA Fan Festival Toronto will run from June 11th to July 19th and will feature live match broadcasts, entertainment, interactive experiences, and more than 30 vendors serving food from around the world. It's designed to bring together soccer fans from every culture and celebrate Toronto's diversity under the city's World Cup theme, "The World in a City."

Whether you're watching from the stands, visiting the FIFA Fan Festival, or following along from home, the FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the biggest sporting events ever held in North America! You can now bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup home with official merchandise including clothing, accessories, collectibles, trading cards & stickers at SoccerCards.ca.