The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be an unprecedented and highly anticipated event in the world of soccer. Unlike all previous tournaments, this edition will be jointly hosted by three different countries, adding a unique and thrilling aspect to the competition.
With 48 teams and 60 games, this World Cup promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting in history. The participating teams will be divided into 16 groups of three nations each, and the matches will be played in 16 cities across the three host countries.
The United States, which last hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994, is gearing up to welcome the soccer extravaganza once again. For Canada, it will be a memorable time as they co-host the men’s competition for the first time.
Mexico, on the other hand, is set to create history by becoming the first country to host or co-host the men’s World Cup for the third time. This collaborative effort among the three nations showcases the global appeal and unity of soccer, bringing together the best teams from different continents to compete on a single stage.
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In a unique twist, a playoff event with six teams will determine the final two spots for the FIFA World Cup. One team from each confederation (except UEFA) and an additional team from the host country’s confederation (CONCACAF) will participate in this knockout tournament.
The competition will serve as a warm-up for the main event, providing a thrilling spectacle and a glimpse of what’s to come in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The playoffs are tentatively planned for November 2025, setting the stage for an exciting buildup to the grand tournament.
With such an innovative and inclusive format, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is sure to capture the attention and excitement of soccer fans worldwide, making it one of the most searched and talked-about events in the sporting world.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted in North America, as the joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico was officially announced on April 10, 2017.
The bidding process to host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups began in January 2009. During the bidding procedure, the United bid emerged victorious with 134 valid ballots, while the Morocco bid received 65 valid ballots. There was also one nation that voted for none of the bids.
However, the idea of enlarging the World Cup was met with opposition from various quarters. The European Club Association, La Liga’s head Javier Tebas, and former German national team coach Joachim Löw all expressed their rejection of the proposal.
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They argued that the number of games being played was already at an unsustainable level, and increasing it further would negatively impact the overall quality of the matches.
Moreover, they contended that the decision to expand the World Cup was driven by political objectives, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino used the prospect of more nations participating in the tournament to gain support for his election.
Despite the concerns raised, the joint bid from North America prevailed, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now set to bring the excitement and spectacle of soccer to fans across the three host countries. With the tournament featuring 48 teams and 60 games, it is bound to be a momentous and highly anticipated event in the world of sports.
2026 FIFA World Cup sponsors & partners
FIFA and McDonald’s have announced the extension of their longstanding partnership, which will now encompass both the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ and the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
With this renewal, McDonald’s will continue to sponsor FIFA’s flagship tournaments, gaining access to LED branding and exclusive naming rights to the Fair Play Trophy.
The Fair Play Trophy is awarded to the team that demonstrates the best fair play record during FIFA competitions, highlighting the shared values of McDonald’s and FIFA in promoting fair play and respect on and off the pitch.
AB InBev, the world’s leading brewer, has also extended its nearly 40-year partnership with FIFA as the official beer sponsor of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
These two upcoming tournaments will be significant milestones, introducing several firsts in FIFA’s history. The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ will make its debut in the southern hemisphere, taking place in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, with 32 teams participating for the first time in the competition.
Similarly, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the first to be jointly hosted by three countries – Canada, Mexico, and the United States – and will feature 48 participating teams and 104 matches in 16 cities.
Ticket Price for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
As of now, FIFA has not announced the ticket prices for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The information related to ticket prices for the tournament is expected to be available in 2025.
FIFA’s official website states that details regarding 2026 World Cup tickets “will be available in due course,” and they encourage fans to check the page regularly for updates.
However, based on the ticket prices of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it is anticipated that the ticket prices for the 2026 edition will be similar. The 2022 World Cup had four ticket categories, with expected prices ranging from $54.85 to $1000 for all matches except the Final.
The ticket prices for different stages of the tournament are projected to be as follows:
- Opening match: $54.85 to $301.68
- Group play: $10.97 to $219.40
- Round of 16: $19.20 to $274.26
- Quarterfinals: $82.28 to $425.10
- Semifinals: $137.13 to $954.41
- Third-place match: $82.28 to $425.10
Please note that these prices are not confirmed for the 2026 World Cup and are based on the pricing structure of the previous tournament.
The actual ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup will be announced by FIFA at a later date. Fans are advised to stay tuned for official updates on ticket prices and availability on FIFA’s website as the tournament approaches.
How Can I Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets?
To buy FIFA World Cup tickets, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the Official FIFA Website: Go to the official FIFA website (www.fifa.com) and navigate to the “Tickets” section.
- Create an Account: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a FIFA account. Provide your personal information and follow the instructions to set up your account.
- Check Ticket Availability: Once you have an account, check the ticket availability for the specific match or matches you want to attend. Keep in mind that ticket availability may vary depending on the stage of the tournament and the demand for certain matches.
- Choose Ticket Category: FIFA usually offers different ticket categories with varying prices. Select the category that best fits your preferences and budget.
- Add Tickets to Cart: After selecting your desired tickets, add them to your cart.
- Review and Confirm: Double-check the details of your selected tickets in your cart and proceed to the checkout.
- Payment: You’ll need to make the payment using a valid credit/debit card or other accepted payment methods.
- Receive Confirmation: Once your payment is processed successfully, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your ticket details.
- Ticket Collection: Closer to the tournament, FIFA will announce the ticket collection process. You may need to collect your physical tickets from designated pick-up points or use e-tickets on your mobile device.
Please note that FIFA World Cup tickets are in high demand, and availability can be limited.
