The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026. This edition marks the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from 32, and includes a record number of African nations.
Nine African teams have qualified: Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. This surpasses the previous record of five African teams in 2014 and 2018. Morocco, a semifinalist in 2022, is among the favorites.
The tournament will be held across 16 cities in North America, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The opening match features Senegal against Ecuador in Los Angeles.
