Where will the 2026 World Cup be held, what number of groups will play and what’s the format? | EUROtoday

England males’s subsequent main match after this summer time’s European Championship would be the 2026 World Cup staged in North America.

The match will break new floor as it’s hosted by three international locations  – the United States, Canada and Mexico – in addition to being expanded to incorporate 48 groups.

The state of the pitches and coaching amenities within the US have come underneath scrutiny through the Copa America, with Uruguay supervisor Marcelo Bielsa launching right into a livid broadside about situations.

Temperatures are additionally anticipated to soar on the World Cup, which will probably be returning to its typical summer time slot after a winter renewal in Qatar.

Here is what we all know thus far.

Where will the subsequent World Cup happen?

In a match first, the World Cup will probably be held throughout three host international locations after the North American trio’s bid fended off a robust proposal from Morocco.

The matches will probably be performed throughout 16 cities – 11 from the US, two in Canada and three in Mexico. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and last will all be held within the States.

Here is the listing of cities that will probably be internet hosting a minimum of one World Cup match.

• Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver.

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the ultimate on July 19, 2026. The venue has a capability of 82,500.

The stadium, house of the New York Giants and Jets, has hosted the Super Bowl and lately sold-out exhibits by pop superstars resembling Taylor Swift and Beyonce. It boasts lavish inside member golf equipment with views of the New York skyline.

The semi-finals will probably be held on the AT&T Stadium in Dallas and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, whereas the quarter-finals will probably be on the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Miami can even host the third-place play-off.

Mexico will open the match on June 11 with their first group match on the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

The USA will start their marketing campaign on the SoFi in LA on June 12 and can stay on the West Coast for the group stage, with two matches in Seattle. Canada will play their opening match in Toronto additionally on June 12.

Canada and Mexico are additionally assured to play all their group matches on house soil, with Guadalajara and Vancouver additionally internet hosting.

To restrict the journey of groups and followers, the three host international locations have been damaged down into east, central and west areas, the place groups will probably be primarily based for the group stage.

When is the subsequent World Cup?

The opening match will happen on June 11, when Mexico kick off on the legendary Azteca Stadium (which can grow to be the primary stadium to host three World Cup openers) and the final of the 104 matches will probably be contested when the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the ultimate on on July 19.

The full fixture listing and kick-off occasions will probably be confirmed following the ultimate draw, which is predicted to be in the direction of the top of 2025.