This Monday, May 11, marks exactly one month until the opening whistle of the 2026 World Cup, the largest tournament in the history of world football. The countdown is already underway and the world of football is beginning to experience the preview of a historic edition that for the first time will be played in three countries simultaneously: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Excitement builds across the American continent with 48 teams qualified and 104 matches scheduled in 16 host cities over more than five weeks of competition.The tournament will start with a triple opening ceremony between June 11 and 12.
Mexico will kick off on Thursday, June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium with the match between the hosts and South Africa, in what will be the first time that the Azteca hosts three World Cups in its history. The next day Canada and the United States will hold their respective opening ceremonies in Toronto and Los Angeles, with a luxury musical line-up that includes J Balvin, Katy Perry, Alanis Morissette and Belinda among other world-class artists.
The data of the 2026 World Cup
- Start: June 11, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026
- Inaugural stadium: Mexico City – Azteca Stadium
- Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa
- Host countries: United States, Mexico and Canada
- Host cities: 16
- Participating teams: 48
- Total matches: 104
- Final: New York and New Jersey Stadium, July 19
A historic World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history with 48 participating teams, expanding the previous format of 32 teams that was used since France 1998. This expansion will allow more countries from Africa, Asia and Oceania to be represented in the tournament, democratizing the most important competition in world football.
The final will be played on Sunday, July 19 at the New York and New Jersey Stadium in what promises to be a tremendous closing to the largest edition in the history of the World Cup.
On a musical level, the 2026 World Cup already has an official album that includes four singles: Lighter by Jelly Roll and Carín León, Por Ella by Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda, Echo by Daddy Yankee and Shenseea, and Illuminate by Jessie Reyez and Elyanna.