The 2026 FIFA World Cup Thể Thao AE888, the most anticipated football event on the planet, will take place across three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first time in FIFA World Cup history that the tournament will be co-hosted by three nations, and also the first edition to expand to 48 teams. With 104 matches across 16 cities, the competition promises unforgettable moments of world-class football. Let’s explore the details of this historic event with AE888!
Host Countries of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup makes history by being hosted in three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This is the second time the World Cup has been held in more than one nation, following the 2002 edition in South Korea and Japan.
United States
The USA will act as the main host nation, staging 78 of the 104 matches, including all games from the quarterfinals onwards. With modern infrastructure and the experience of hosting the 1994 World Cup, the U.S. is ready to deliver a spectacular tournament.
Host cities include New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, and Kansas City.
- The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (capacity: 82,500), will host the final on July 19, 2026. This venue, once the most expensive stadium in the U.S., is also home to NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets.
- The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, will stage the third-place playoff, promising a vibrant atmosphere for fans.
Mexico
Mexico will host 13 matches, including the opening game on June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This is the third time Mexico has hosted the World Cup (after 1970 and 1986), making it the first country to reach this milestone.
The Estadio Azteca (capacity: 87,523) is iconic, having staged two World Cup finals, including the 1986 showdown where Diego Maradona led Argentina to glory.
Other host cities in Mexico include Monterrey and Guadalajara, bringing Mexico’s vibrant football culture to the world stage.
Canada
Canada will also host 13 matches, split between Toronto and Vancouver. This will be the first time Canada hosts a men’s World Cup, after successfully staging the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
- BMO Field in Toronto is set to expand its capacity to 40,000 seats.
- BC Place in Vancouver is ready to welcome over 50,000 fans.
With football’s growing popularity, Canada is expected to be an exciting destination for supporters worldwide.
Tournament Format and New Features
According to AE888’s sports insights, the 2026 edition introduces several major changes:
Expanded to 48 Teams
For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams (up from 32). They will be divided into 12 groups of four teams.
- The top two teams in each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32.
- From there, the tournament will proceed with knockout stages: Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-place playoff, and the Final, totaling 104 matches.
The competition will last 39 days, compared to 29 days at Qatar 2022, allowing teams sufficient rest and travel time between venues. FIFA has also adjusted match schedules to align with the time zones of the three host nations, ensuring the best possible global viewing experience.
Schedule and Key Events
- Opening match: June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, featuring the Mexican national team.
- Final match: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
- Group stage draw: December 2025 in Las Vegas, marking the official start of the tournament build-up.
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026.
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026.
FIFA has carefully structured the calendar to ensure each team has at least three days of rest between matches, helping players stay fit and reducing injury risks. Weather factors have also been considered, especially in diverse climates like Miami and Vancouver.
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup AE888 will mark a new milestone in football history, featuring 48 teams and being co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. From the opening clash at the legendary Estadio Azteca to the grand finale at the modern MetLife Stadium, the tournament promises thrilling football and an unprecedented fan experience.
