World Cup 2026: Things You Probably Missed

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a grand event that is eagerly awaited by football fans around the world.

 The 23rd edition of the tournament will make history as the first to feature 48 participating teams, a significant increase from previous editions which only involved 32 teams.

 This tournament is also special because it will be hosted jointly by three countries in North America: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

 A total of 16 selected cities in the three countries will witness the fierce competition between the world's best national teams. 

This also marks the first time in the history of the World Cup that this grand tournament is hosted by three countries at once, marking a new era in organizing the world's greatest football tournament.The decision to expand the number of participants to 48 teams is expected to provide greater opportunities for countries from all confederations to participate.

 In addition, this new format is also predicted to increase competitiveness and provide a more interesting spectacle for football fans around the world.

 Global enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup is increasing as preparations continue to be made by the three host countries.

The 2026 World Cup will feature a different competition format from previous editions. With 48 participating teams, the tournament will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. 

The top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32.This new format promises tougher competition and greater opportunities for teams from all over the world to showcase their abilities on the international stage. 

The increase in the number of participants is also expected to increase the popularity of football in countries that have previously been underrepresented in the World Cup.With a total of 104 matches to be played, the 2026 World Cup will be the edition with the largest number of matches in the history of the tournament. This will certainly provide a richer and more satisfying experience for football fans around the world.

Sixteen cities in three North American countries have been selected to host matches for the 2026 World Cup. The United States will host the majority of matches, including the quarterfinals and final, for a total of 78 matches. Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches.Here is a list of the cities that will host matches for the 2026 World Cup:

• United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle.
• Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey.
• Canada: Toronto, Vancouver.
• The selection of these cities was based on a variety of factors, including stadium infrastructure, supporting facilities, and experience in hosting major sporting events. With a combination of iconic cities and modern stadiums, the 2026 World Cup is guaranteed to provide an unforgettable experience for players and fans.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, returning to the traditional summer schedule following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which was held in November and December.

 The group draw for the 2026 World Cup is expected to be held in late 2025.The 2026 World Cup will also make history with several unique features. Mexico will become the first country to host or co-host the men's World Cup three times (previously in 1970 and 1986).

Canada will host the men's World Cup for the first time.