The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off in Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today, June 11 and runs until July 19, 2026. It is jointly hosted across North America by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

This World Cup is the largest tournament in FIFA history, featuring an expanded 48-team format and a total of 104 matches. With this new format, 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four, advancing to an expanded Round of 32.

Matches are distributed across 16 venues, within the United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities), and Canada (2 cities).

The opening match, between Mexico and South Africa. This match made Estadio Azteca the first venue in football history to host three different FIFA World Cup opening matches (previously doing so in 1970 and 1986).

Because of the co-hosting feature, Canada and the United States will hold their own initial home openers on Friday, June 12, 2026. In addition, Canada’s Opener will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field), while the USA will play Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).

Here is a breakdown by host cities in each country:

Canada is hosting 13 matches in two cities. In Toronto, ON, at the BMO Field and Vancouver, BC, at the BC Place

In the United States, eleven cities across the country are hosting games: Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA (Foxborough), Dallas, TX (Arlington), Houston, TX, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA (Inglewood), Miami, FL (Miami Gardens), New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), Philadelphia, PA. San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), and Seattle, WA.

Mexico will be hosting matches in three stadiums: Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico City, and Monterrey (Guadalupe).

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final match and closing ceremony will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey). In a major change from prior tournaments, a first-of-its-kind World Cup Final Halftime Show will also be featured during the main event.