2026 FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Sixteen host cities – eleven in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada – will stage 104 matches, the first tournament with three host nations and a record 48‑team field.

FIFA projects tournament revenue of roughly $9 billion, driven by a surge in TV‑rights fees (about $4.3 billion) and a 35 % increase in advertising income versus Qatar 2022. Analysts note that about half of the total $13 billion expected over the 2023‑2026 cycle comes from the final tournament itself.

Ticket prices have risen sharply, with average group‑stage seats in U.S. venues exceeding $1,000. Additional fan costs – travel, accommodation and stadium concessions – are also high, prompting many to seek streaming alternatives. In the United States, matches will be available on Fox, FS1 and NBCUniversal platforms, with several subscription‑based services offering live feeds; limited free access is provided via FIFA+.

The expanded format has also produced historic on‑field records: three players (Messi, Haaland, Mbappé) have each scored at least seven goals, a first in World Cup history. The event marks a major commercial and sporting milestone for North America, with significant economic and cultural implications for the three host countries.