The Countdown Begins: 500 Days Until the 2026 World Cup!

Today marks an exciting milestone: exactly 500 days remain until the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026! For the first time in history, the tournament will be hosted across three nations—United States, Mexico, and Canada—and will feature 48 national teams. The highly anticipated opening match will take place on June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The revamped format will introduce 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. This means that teams reaching the final will play a total of eight matches, one more than in previous editions.

A total of 104 matches will be played over 39 days across 16 venues: 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. However, concerns have been raised about the playing surfaces in some U.S. stadiums, following criticisms during the 2024 Copa América, particularly regarding the MetLife Stadium, which will host the grand final on July 19, 2026.

The U.S. host cities include:

• Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000 seats)
• Boston – Gillette Stadium (68,756)
• Dallas – AT&T Stadium (80,000)
• Houston – NRG Stadium (72,220)
• Kansas City – Arrowhead Stadium (76,416)
• Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium (70,000)
• Miami – Hard Rock Stadium (65,326)
• New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (82,500)
• Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field (67,594)
• San Francisco Bay Area – Levi’s Stadium (68,500)
• Seattle – Lumen Field (72,000)

With the countdown officially underway, excitement is building among fans worldwide. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be an unforgettable spectacle, bringing together diverse cultures in a global celebration of football.