Essen hosts the 2026 Socca World Cup

The 2026 Socca World Cup has commenced in Essen, Germany. This marks the second time the city has hosted the small-sided football tournament, following the 2023 event.

The championship features 48 national teams competing over a ten-day period. The tournament schedule includes 12 matches per day, divided into morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. The opening ceremony and official opening match feature Germany playing against Argentina. Other participating nations include the USA, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Indonesia, and several others across various groups.

Notable participants include former national player Max Kruse, who is playing for the German team.