Since the FIFA World Cup was introduced in 1930, it has become the most popular and celebrated football tournament in the world. The event is held every four years wherein different nations come together to compete and become one of soccer’s greatest players and teams.
From legendary football legends to new rising stars, the World Cup has become the epitome of football events and continues to do so by bringing successful games every four years. The next FIFA World Cup event that is being raved by fans despite being years away is expected to happen in 2026. To keep your excitement ablaze, here’s a guide on what you can expect in the 2026 World Cup:
When And Where Will The 2026 Wc Be Held?
The World Cup 2026 will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup championship that will take place from June to July 2026. It will be hosted by 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The cities that will host the event are as follows:
United States:
- Atlanta
- Boston Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
Mexico:
- Guadalajara
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
Canada:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
Tournament Format
The previous record for the most teams in a single event was 32, but the World Cup 2026 will have 48 teams. For this tournament, Mexico will make history as the first nation to co-host the men’s World Cup three times, having previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986.
Canada will be co-hosting the men’s World Cup for the first time, whereas the United States last hosted the tournament in 1994. The World Cup’s 64-game schedule will be replaced by a whopping 104 to accommodate the 48 competing teams.
2026 WC predictions
With the World Cup 2026 hosting 48 teams instead of the usual 32 teams, fans are excited to see some intense and jaw-dropping competitions between the best nations. Despite the event being years away, predictions are already pouring to keep the excitement and also to give sports punters a head start. Some of the 2026 WC predictions you can expect to see in the games are:
Haaland And Mbappe Face Off
In the 2026 World Cup, there will be no Messi vs Ronaldo. However, fans can expect a tight match between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. With Haaland and Martin Odegaard boosting Norway’s play, fans believe that the team has what it takes to qualify for the World Cup in 2026.
Meanwhile, France’s forward Mbappe has won two World Cups in 2018 and 2022 making him a strong competition for Haaland. With these two notable players playing in the 2026 WC, fans can expect to witness a record-breaking match that will alter the history of football.
US To showcase Incredible Play
The United States has many reasons to be confident heading into the World Cup 2026, especially after showcasing immense play in various football events. Of course, they had to face some challenges along the way.
However, the United States boasts a youthful and skilled group, with several players who are regulars in the UEFA Champions League and other European top divisions. This not only makes the USA one of the most formidable teams to watch out for but many fans also believe that they have what it takes to make it to the finals.
Spain, Italy, And Germany To Bounce Back
The three-time winners of the World Cup, Germany, Spain, and Italy had a challenging time in Qatar in 2022. Italy failed to qualify, while Germany was ousted in the group stage for the second consecutive tournament. Spain was eliminated in the round of 16 on penalties following a scoreless draw with Morocco.
Germany’s coach Hansi Flick has already hinted at major changes, so the team will likely be even more stronger and competitive thanks to notable players such as Jamal Musiala. On the other hand, Nico Williams and Dani Olmo are poised to form the backbone of Spain. Italy is also expected to showcase a strong lineup that will bring them to the finals.
With more World Cup 2026 predictions dropping, it’s not surprising that the 2026 WC will be another successful football tournament that will make history. As more teams start to make announcements about their lineup, football fans can expect to witness a whole new level of football competition from the sport’s best players.