2026 World Cup to be largest ever with 104 matches across North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the most expansive tournament ever, with 16 host cities spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This marks the World Cup's return to North America for the first time since 1994.

The competition will feature an expanded format with 104 matches, a significant increase from previous tournaments. FIFA has projected that approximately 6.5 million spectators will attend the games. The demand for tickets has been unprecedented, with 500 million requests submitted from 211 countries within just 33 days. Host nations saw the highest demand, alongside countries like Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Portugal, and Germany.

To manage this massive event, FIFA will deploy 50,000 volunteers, selected from over a million applicants. The officiating team will comprise 52 referees, 88 assistants, and 30 video officials, chosen based on FIFA's principle of prioritizing quality. Player rosters will also expand, allowing 48 national teams to register between 23 and 26 players, including at least three goalkeepers.

The stadium in Dallas will be the largest, with a capacity of 94,000, and is slated to host at least two matches for the Argentine national team. In terms of financial rewards, FIFA will distribute $871 million among the participating 48 teams, a 15% increase from initial projections. Each team is guaranteed $10 million simply for participating. Globally, an estimated 6 billion people are expected to tune in to the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

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This team, as diverse as football itself, includes participants from 18 to over 80 years old from all corners of the globe.