Here's what makes this World Cup special - first time 48 teams, the most expensive and most dispersed tournament in history...

The 23rd FIFA World Cup, set to kick off on June 11 and run until July 19, 2026, promises to be a landmark event, breaking records for scale, cost, and geographical spread. Unlike the compact Qatar tournament, this edition will span across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, covering immense distances. For instance, the journey from Vancouver in the north to Mexico City in the south exceeds 4,700 kilometers. To manage this vastness, FIFA has organized matches into regional clusters, grouping cities that are geographically closer to each other.

This World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 national teams, competing in 16 cities across the three host nations. A total of 104 matches will be played over a record 39 days. The tournament's knockout stage has also been expanded, with the top two teams from 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed nations, advancing to a Round of 32. This format aims to increase the number of competitive matches and opportunities for more teams.

Four nations are set to make their World Cup debut this summer: the Caribbean island of Curaçao, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan. Curaçao will become the smallest nation ever to participate in the tournament. With matches spread across four time zones, there will be 13 different kickoff times. Organizers anticipate over five million fans will attend the event globally.

The financial scale of the tournament is unprecedented. While official figures are not yet released, estimates suggest the organization costs could surpass $12 billion, encompassing security, transportation, renovations, and logistics across the 16 host cities. FIFA has confirmed a record prize fund of $727 million. The champions will receive $50 million, with every participating team guaranteed at least $10.5 million. Defending champions Argentina will aim to retain their title, while Croatia, fresh off a bronze medal in Qatar, prepares for their campaign with friendly matches against Belgium and Slovenia before heading to their base in Alexandria, Virginia.