World Cup 2026: 48 Teams, 16 Cities, and Key Players to Watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a major expansion, growing from 32 to 48 teams and spreading across 16 host cities in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, promising a larger global spectacle.

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A third-time World Cup host, Mexico qualified automatically and will play the inaugural game against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, a replay of the match that kicked off the 2010 tournament in the African nation.

Group A features host nation Mexico, who will kick off the tournament against South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium. Mexico's squad blends experience with youth, featuring striker Raul Jimenez and veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who will be participating in his sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They aim to surpass their best-ever quarter-final finish.

South Africa, known as "Bafana Bafana," make their fourth World Cup appearance after a qualifying campaign that saw them overcome a points deduction for fielding an ineligible player. Despite their history, they have yet to advance past the group stage. Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng is highlighted as an exciting talent to watch.

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With his inclusion in the squad, Ochoa will have taken part in six World Cups, a record he will share with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

South Korea enters the tournament on an impressive streak, qualifying for their 11th consecutive World Cup since 1986. After a dominant qualifying campaign, they will rely on stars like Kang-in Lee of Paris Saint-Germain and former Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son. Their best performance was a fourth-place finish as co-hosts in 2002.

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This will be the fourth World Cup participation for Bafana Bafana, “The Boys” in Zulu language, who are yet to get past the group stage.

The Czech Republic secured their spot through a grueling playoff path, overcoming Ireland and Denmark in penalty shootouts. Having twice been runners-up as Czechoslovakia, their sole modern World Cup appearance in 2006 ended in the group stage. Key players like Patrik Schick, Tomas Soucek, and Pavel Sulc will be crucial as they aim for advancement.

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South Korea steamrolled opponents on the way to their 11th consecutive World Cup since 1986.