A Beginner's Guide to the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup: A Beginner's Guide

The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest and most complex tournament yet, with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the US. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, with the final taking place in New Jersey.

How the Tournament Works

The 48 teams are initially divided into 12 four-team groups, with each team playing the others in the group once. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages. Matches from that point on are single-elimination - lose and you're out.

The Contenders

Spain are aiming to follow up their European title with the World Cup this time around. France, the reigning champions, Argentina, England, Brazil, and Germany are also among the top contenders.

Dark Horses

Morocco, who made the semi-finals in 2022, are considered a dark horse, as is Norway, who have the formidable goalscorer Erling Haaland at their disposal.

Players to Watch

The most famous players at the tournament will be Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, although they are not considered the best. Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé are among the top players to watch.

Where to Watch

The tournament will be broadcast on TV and online, with Fox and Telemundo in the US, SBS in Australia, TSN and CTV in Canada, and the BBC and ITV in the UK.

Travel and Environment

The tournament will involve a lot of travel, with teams and fans traveling across the three host countries. The 2026 bid book emphasized the co-hosts' commitment to the environment, but this World Cup will likely have a significant impact.

Prize Money

Fifa is paying out $727m in prize money for the tournament, with the winners alone getting $50m.