International football
The 2026 World Cup will be one that seeks to redefine what is known about the world’s drinks. Three host countries, 48 participating selections and 104 games are some of the things it offers for football followers.
The World Cup trophy during an exhibition. (Free Press Photo: AFP)
The next FIFA World Cup is emerging as one of the most ambitious in history.
From the entity that governs football he announced that the tournament will go from 32 selections to 48it totally shook the planet since the increase in participating teams would also have a direct impact on the organization of the championship and its qualifiers.
One of those radical changes and much discussed when FIFA just announced the increase in quota of selections was that the 2026 World Cup organization will not be in the hands of a single country, but that the United States, Mexico and Canada will join forces to carry out the contest.
The tournament will start on June 11, 2026 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico and will conclude on July 19 at the New York/ New Jersey headquarters.
Five data on the 2026 World Cup organization
- Three host countries: As mentioned above, the 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to be organized in three different countries. The United States, Mexico and Canada will join forces to collaborate in the planning and execution of 104 games throughout 16 cities throughout North America.
- Increase in participating teams: The tournament will pass from the 32 usual selections (as since 2002) to have 48. The increase seeks to include more countries and make the tournament somewhat more diverse. This increase was criticized at the time since many argued that it was a measure to only get more income and not veiled by the sports good.
- New format: Increasing the quota of participating teams also affected the traditional format. Now there will be 12 groups of four selections, the two best of each group plus eight best third parties will advance to the round of 16.
- Multiple venues: More than 40 cities in the three countries involved in the World Cup presented a candidacy to house the matches. Finally FIFA chose 16 among which the most important of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
- Economic impact: One of the main economic foci of a World Cup is the tourism factor offered by the host country. Now, being three headquarters, it is expected that the entry by tourism of an increase meaning in each of the cities. Accommodation, food and transport expenses would benefit the economies of the headquarters.
