What is the World Cup?
The World Cup is a soccer tournament that is held every four years that features 32 national teams from around the world. It’s one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament is organized by FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Teams qualify for the tournament based on a qualification phase that takes place over three years. The tournament itself takes place over about a month.
Where will the 2026 World Cup be hosted?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup, and it will be held in 3 countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. There are a total of 16 cities that will host the tournament matches.
Schedule
The group stage rounds will be played from June 11, 2026 to June 27, 2026. And the knockout stage will be played from June 28, 2026 to July 15, 2026. The third place playoff will be played on July 18, 2026, and the final will be played on July 19, 2026. The final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How is the 2026 World Cup different from previous World Cups?
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be hosted in three different countries. It will also have 48 teams instead of 32, meaning more matches and more competition. This change gives more countries a chance to play on the world stage. Fans expect an exciting tournament with many strong teams.
World Cup Records
Most Titles: Brazil has won the World Cup five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002), more than any other nation.
Most Goals by a Player: Miroslav Klose of Germany scored 16 goals across four World Cups (2002–2014), holding the record for most goals in the tournament’s history.
Highest Scoring Tournament: The 2022 World Cup in Qatar saw a total of 172 goals scored, making it the highest-scoring World Cup to date.
Most Goals in a Single Match: Hungary’s 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982 is the largest margin of victory in a World Cup match.
Longest Time Without Conceding a Goal: In the 1990 World Cup, goalkeeper Walter Zenga of Italy went 517 minutes without conceding a goal, setting a record for the longest time without conceding a goal in World Cup history.
Most World Cup Appearances by a Player: Lionel Messi of Argentina has made 26 World Cup appearances, surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Lothar Matthäus.
Most World Cup Appearances by a Team: Brazil has participated in all 22 World Cup tournaments since 1930, more than any other nation.
These records highlight the remarkable achievements and milestones in World Cup history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic and exciting tournament, bringing new opportunities for teams and fans alike. With more countries competing and matches played across three nations, it will be a truly global event. The expanded format may change the way the World Cup is played, but the passion for soccer will remain the same. As the world prepares for this tournament, all eyes will be on the teams fighting for glory. No matter which country lifts the trophy, the 2026 World Cup is sure to be unforgettable.
Work Cited
FOX Sports. (2024, July 15). World Cup 2026 odds: Spain a co-favorite with France and Brazil after Euro win. Fox News. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/world-cup-2026-odds-france-opens-as-favorite-lines-for-usmnt
Fifa.com. (n.d.). https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026
ESPN Digital Media Private Limited. (n.d.). World Cup Records – Cricket’s remarkable feats. ESPNcricinfo. https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/trophy/world-cup-12
World Cup records. (n.d.). https://www.topendsports.com/events/worldcupsoccer/records.htm
Restrepo, M. L. (2025, March 5). In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/05/nx-s1-5318759/fifa-world-cup-first-halftime-show-coldplay