{"id":21948,"date":"2026-05-26T13:55:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T10:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?page_id=21948"},"modified":"2026-05-26T15:51:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T12:51:12","slug":"fifa-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\">[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<strong>[vc_row][vc_column width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"21943\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\" css=\"\"][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\"2\/3\"][vc_column_text css=\"\"]\r\n<h1><b>FIFA World Cup 2026<\/b><\/h1>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be the biggest international football and sporting event in history \u2013 and not by a small margin. For the first time, the pool is <\/span><b>expanded to 48 national squads, competing<\/b> <b>across 16 cities, spread through 3 different countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A total of 104 matches over 39 days will be played, as the 2026 World Cup takes place from 11 June to 19 July 2026.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<style data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-custom-css\"><\/style><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<strong>[vc_row][vc_column]\n\t\t\t<div id=\"widget-853\" class=\"widget_nav_mega_menu shortcode-mega-menu \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"basel-navigation\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"menu-fifa-world-cup-2026-container\"><ul id=\"menu-fifa-world-cup-2026\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-21962\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21962 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/\">FIFA World Cup 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-21961\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21961 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/standings\/\">Standings<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-21960\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21960 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/schedule\/\">Schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-21959\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21959 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/live\/\">Live<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-21958\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21958 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/final\/\">Final<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<style data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-custom-css\"><\/style><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">The expanded format introduces a brand-new round \u2014 the Round of 32. This edition of the World Cup will also be the first time three nations host it (the United States, Canada and Mexico). As previous editions in 2018 and 2022 produced some of the most-watched television in UK history, this one is set to surpass both.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This page will act as your <\/span><b>complete guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We\u2019ll display key facts, tournament format, host cities, England\u2019s and Scotland\u2019s groups, as well as what you need to know about watching the matches live. So, let\u2019s jump straight into it!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>FIFA World Cup 2026: Key Facts, Dates &amp; Format Explained<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please use the table below to find all key facts &amp; dates on the FIFA World Cup 2026, as well as a short rundown of England\u2019s and Scotland\u2019s groups. Please remember that you can find <\/span><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/football\/world\/fifa-world-cup\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA World Cup betting<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at 7bet, with outright, pre-match and even Live (In-Play) odds available.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Key FIFA World Cup 2026 Facts at a Glance<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83d\udcc5<\/b><b>\u00a0 Tournament Dates<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">11 June \u2013 19 July 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udf0d<\/b><b>\u00a0 Host Countries<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States, Canada, Mexico<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udfd9\ufe0f<\/b><b>\u00a0 Host Cities<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">16 cities across 3 countries<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\u26bd<\/b><b>\u00a0 Teams<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48 (largest ever)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udfae<\/b><b>\u00a0 Total Matches<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">104<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f<\/b><b>\u00a0 Opening Match<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Mexico vs South Africa \u2013 Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (11 June)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udfc6<\/b><b>\u00a0 Final Venue<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">MetLife Stadium, New York\/New Jersey (19 July)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/b><b>\u00a0 Group Stage<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">11\u201328 June 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83d\udd35<\/b><b>\u00a0 Knockout Stage<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Round of 32 \u2192 Round of 16 \u2192 QF \u2192 SF \u2192 Final<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83d\udcfa<\/b><b>\u00a0 UK Broadcast<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">BBC &amp; ITV \u2013 all 104 matches free-to-air<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f<\/b><b>\u00a0 England Group<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group L (Croatia, Ghana, Panama)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc63\udb40\udc74\udb40\udc7f<\/b><b>\u00a0 Scotland Group<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Haiti)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>What is the FIFA World Cup 2026?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The numbers don\u2019t lie. FIFA\u2019s World Cup is the <\/span><b>most-watched sporting event in the world<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Multi-billion TV audiences watch the group stage and the finals to follow their favourite national teams, as they battle it out to know who\u2019s the best on the planet.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">For 2026, there will be changes to the tournament\u2019s format and an entirely unique host-nation decision, making this edition the first of its kind. Besides, the World Cup returns to the North American continent for the first time since 1994.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Why This World Cup is Different?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>First Time We Have 3 Host Nations <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The <\/span><b>United States, Canada, and Mexico<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> co-host the 2026 edition of the World Cup. It\u2019s an arrangement that\u2019s unseen before. From a purely observational standpoint, this decision is unique in the sense that it required arrangement that has never happened before in World Cup history. Significant logistical coordination between three FAs, three governments and FIFA was needed. In addition, a team can play knockout games in an entirely different country from where they play their group stage matches.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Largest Team Pool in History<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 fans were already familiar with the 32-team pool with 8 groups (A-H) of 4 squads. For the 2026 edition, it\u2019s 48 squads, meaning <\/span><b>16 more nations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Confederations that historically struggled for representation \u2014 particularly CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean), CAF (Africa) and AFC (Asia) \u2014 gained additional qualifying spots. A total of 6 teams from CONCACAF qualified (up from 3.5 previously), and 8 from CAF (up from 5).<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>All-New Knockout Format <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 with the larger pool of teams, we will be getting a round that never existed before \u2013 <\/span><b>Round of 32<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It bridges the gap between the group stage and the Round of 16.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>A Super<\/b> <b>Bowl-style Final<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 FIFA\u2019s president Gianni Infantino confirmed that <\/span><b>the World Cup Final will feature a half-time show<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While the performances are TBA, MetLife Stadium on 19 July is rumoured to host Coldplay or Drake as the headliners. It is the first direct import of the NFL Super Bowl entertainment model into football.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>World Cup 2026 Format Explained<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since this is the largest and first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, let\u2019s get to know the format up close. This information can help you make more informed sports bets. So, if you\u2019re interested in FIFA World Cup and <\/span><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sports betting<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in general, here\u2019s the detailed explanation of the World Cup\u2019s format.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Group Stage Structure<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>48 qualified teams are divided into 12 groups of 4 teams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Groups A through L). It\u2019s a round-robin format; thus, just like in previous editions, teams play each other once, meaning each squad totals three matches.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Points are awarded as standard: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. If points are equal, tie-breakers come into play, as goals scored, goals allowed, H2H results and other elements can be the deciding factor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Key facts about the Group Stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">12 Groups, 4 teams in each<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">3 Matches per team<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48 Group stage matches in total<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Groups A, B and D have all the host nations: Mexico (Group A), Canada (B) and the USA (D)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Qualification for the Knockout Stage<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike in previous editions, <\/span><b>not all 3rd-place teams will be eliminated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, far from it. This adds a unique twist to the format and race to the knockout stages. Here\u2019s how the qualification works:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Auto-qualifiers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the top 2 teams in each group (24 total) qualify for the Round of 32 automatically.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best 3<\/b><b>rd<\/b><b> places<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 8 best 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> place finishers from all 12 groups will also qualify for the Knockout stages, bringing the tally to 32 squads.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Ranking 3rd-place teams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: just like in the group stage, overall 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> place standings are arranged by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, etc. If everything, down to the smallest detail, is equal, a coin toss may be used to decide who advances.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Eliminated<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the four weakest 3rd-place teams and all 4th-place teams are eliminated after the group stage.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because of the possibility of qualifying from 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, expect <\/span><b>significant drama and competition in the final leg of the group stage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. A team can be eliminated with a win if other results go against them, and qualification can be confirmed with a draw in another group\u2019s match. So, it adds even more hope before the final kick-off from all competitors.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Knockout Rounds<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Here\u2019s a simplified layout of the knockout round structure for the 2026 World Cup:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Stage<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Team Count<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Matches<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Date<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group Stage<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">48<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">11-27 June<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Round of 32<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">32<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">16<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">28 June \u2013 3 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Round of 16<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">16<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">8<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4-7 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Quarter-finals<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">8<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">9-11 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Semi-finals<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">14-15 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Third-place Play-off<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Match for 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> place<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">18 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Final<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">2<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">19 July<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Why the New Format Matters?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">While the expansion from 32 to 48 teams divides the footballing world, it does impact the competition\u2019s structure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supporters of the change point to the <\/span><b>broader global representation it enables<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, nations from the Pacific Islands and Africa previously had almost no realistic pathway to the World Cup. This has now changed with more qualifying tickets up for grabs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Detractors argue that the additional matches dilute the quality of football and point to the fact that a 12-group format might produce more dead rubbers in the final leg than before.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is undeniable is the commercial logic. FIFA projects that the 2026 World Cup will <\/span><b>generate over \u00a36 billion in revenue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s a lot more than any previous edition. A total of 16 additional matches means 16 more broadcast slots, advertising packages and economic benefits for the host cities. Furthermore, the Round of 32 alone is expected to add hundreds of millions to the overall value.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Teams and Groups<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Let\u2019s look at the representation and the group structure of FIFA\u2019s 2026 World Cup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Participating Nations<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A total of 48 nations from 6 different football confederations will compete at the 2026 World Cup. This is a major increase over the 32-team format used from 1998 until 2022. The three host nations \u2014 <\/span><b>USA, Canada and Mexico \u2014 qualified automatically<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, meaning there were three more qualifying spots up for grabs. Here\u2019s the short version of the participating nations list:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>UEFA (Europe) &#8211; <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16 teams (up from 13). Includes England, Scotland, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>CONMEBOL (South America<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) \u2013 6 teams (same allocation). Includes perennial powerhouses Brazil and defending champs Argentina, as well as Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador and Paraguay.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>CAF (Africa) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 9 teams (up from 5). This is the largest relative increase of any confederation.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>AFC (Asia) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 8 teams (up from 4.5). The .5 refers to the intercontinental play-off spot previously allocated.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>CONCACAF (North\/Central America &amp; the Caribbean) \u2013 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6 teams, including the 3 hosts.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>OFC (Oceania) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2013 1 team. Same allocation as before.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notable absentees include Italy, Nigeria, Chile, Poland and Ireland. The <span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/standings\/\">standings<\/a><\/span> and match updates will be available at 7bet\u2019s website. However, if you want a full picture of the teams now, check <\/span><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/worldcup\/canadamexicousa2026\/teams\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA\u2019s official qualified teams list<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the confirmed 48-team lineup.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Group Breakdown<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>12 groups (A through L)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were announced at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw in Miami in December 2024. <\/span><b>Each group will use a round-robin format<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with each team playing an opponent in their group once. The seeding structure (fundamental for the draw) was based on the October 2024 FIFA World Rankings, with the final teams claiming their spots in the very end of March 2026. Here\u2019s the key info you should know about the groups in the FIFA World Cup 2026:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Groups A, B and D have the host nations: Mexico, Canada and the U.S., respectively<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">England is in Group L, while Scotland was drawn to Group C<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">The draw pot system was designed to avoid matches between teams from the same confederation in the group stage, with limited exceptions for UEFA, given the high number of European qualifiers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">There are 4 first-time qualifiers: Cura\u00e7ao, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">DR Congo and Haiti will both return after a 52-year absence (last time qualified in 1974)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Host Cities and Stadiums<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">As mentioned, three different countries and 16 cities host the 2026 World Cup. Let\u2019s break things down and analyse the most important facts and data about this expanded edition of football\u2019s biggest spectacle ever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Countries and Cities<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 World Cup is spread across <\/span><b>16 cities in three countries<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are 11 locations within the United States (mostly NFL Stadiums), 3 in Mexico and 2 in Canada. It\u2019s by far the widest geographic spread in World Cup history, with matches set to take place across multiple time zones, geographic zones, and climate zones.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">This scale creates a geographic quirk for fans. Flying from a group game in Vancouver to a Knockout stage match in Miami would take spectators over 3,000 miles. The tournament is, in effect, continent-wide, rather than just being located in a single country.<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>City<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Country<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Venue \/ Note<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Venue capacity<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Stage<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 New York \/ New Jersey<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">MetLife Stadium \u2013 Final venue<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">82,500<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Final<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Los Angeles<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">SoFi Stadium (renamed LA Stadium)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~70,240<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Dallas<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">AT&amp;T Stadium \u2013 Semi-final host<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~80,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Semi-final<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Atlanta<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Mercedes-Benz Stadium \u2013 Semi-final host<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">71,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Semi-final<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Miami<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Hard Rock Stadium \u2013 Third-place match<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">65,326<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">3rd place<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 San Francisco<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Levi&#8217;s Stadium \u2013 Opening host nations game<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">68,500<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Seattle<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Lumen Field<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">68,740<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Houston<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">NRG Stadium<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">72,220<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Kansas City<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">76,416<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Philadelphia<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Lincoln Financial Field<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~67,600<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Boston<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">United States<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Gillette Stadium (Foxborough)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~65,800<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Mexico City<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Mexico<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Estadio Azteca \u2013 Opening match<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~83,600<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Opener<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Guadalajara<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Mexico<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Estadio Akron<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~46,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\uddfd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Monterrey<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Mexico<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Estadio BBVA<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~53,500<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Toronto<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Canada<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">BMO Field<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~30,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Vancouver<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Canada<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">BC Place<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">~54,500<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Group\/KO<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Key Stadiums<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>MetLife Stadium, New York\/New Jersey \u2014 The Final Venue<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home of the NFL&#8217;s New York Giants is, at the same time, the largest stadium in NFL history by capacity. It\u2019s only suiting that the biggest stage in the country\u2019s biggest city hosts the biggest game of all \u2013 the <\/span><span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/final\/\"><b>World Cup Final<\/b><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s interesting to note that the 82,500-seat venue &#8211; <\/span><b>MetLife Stadium will be officially renamed \u201cNew York New Jersey Stadium\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the tournament in line with FIFA\u2019s venue branding policy. Throughout the years, this venue hosted the Super Bowl in 2014, with Drake or Coldplay reported to be involved in half-time entertainment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Estadio Azteca, Mexico City \u2014 The Opening Match<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>The<\/b> <b>biggest stadium in the World Cup<\/b> <b>and one of the most historically significant football grounds on Earth<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Azteca has already hosted 2 WC Finals (1970 &amp; 1986), making it the only stadium to host the finals twice.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Also worth mentioning for the English fans is that Azteca is home to the infamous \u201cHand of God\u201d goal by Diego Maradona. The stadium underwent significant renovation work ahead of 2026 and will host the tournament opener: Mexico vs South Africa on 11 June.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>AT&amp;T Stadium, Dallas (Arlington) \u2014 Semi-final Host<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>home of the Dallas Cowboys (NFL)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s one of the biggest domed stadiums in the world and a legendary venue in the US. The AT&amp;T Stadium (rebranded as Dallas Stadium for the tournament) will host a Semi-Final. Thus, it has a cemented place among the most prestigious venues of the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>FIFA World Cup 2026 for UK Fans<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">If you\u2019re in the UK, here is a short overview guide on how to catch the World Cup 2026 action <span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/live\/\">live<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Where to Watch in the UK?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every single one of the 104 <span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/schedule\/\">scheduled matches<\/a> <\/span>will be <\/span><b>broadcast across BBC and ITV<\/b> <b>\u2013 free-to-air channels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Thus, there will be no subscriptions and no PPV purchases.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, ITV1 and ITV4 will carry live coverage, so you can tune in at any time. In Scotland, STV and STV Player will carry ITV\u2019s selections. The final on 19 July will be broadcast simultaneously on both BBC and ITV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Kick-off Times in the UK (BST)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Since the tournament takes place across the pond and is spread across North America, UK fans should expect some late and some very late nights. There are three standard kick-off times for the group stage. Here are the approximate start times in BST (however, stay up-to-date with TV schedules as timetables might change):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>7:00 pm or 8:00 pm BST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Afternoon kick-offs\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>10:00 pm or 11:00 pm BST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Evening kick-offs<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>1:00 am or 2:00 am BST<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Late night kick-offs<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>England &amp; Scotland Chances<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">This is the first time since 1998 that both nations have qualified for the FIFA World Cup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama, while Scotland is set to take on Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Here is our evaluation of their chances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>England\u2019s group assessment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Three Lions come into group L as heavy favourites. However, Croatia is a quality side and has been for more than a decade (reached the Final in 2018). Ghana is a competitive and unpredictable, but manageable opponent, while Panama is the least threatening side \u2018On Paper\u2019. The first match for England is scheduled on 17 June against Croatia. Expect this heavy game to set the tone for the tournament.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Scotland\u2019s group assessment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The Scots will have their work cut out for them. Brazil is the headliner in their group. Despite recent struggles, the sheer talent and championship pedigree are a larger-than-life type of threat. Morocco will be fresh from their Cinderella run in 2022 (reached the Semis), and represent another significant obstacle. The most realistic goal for Scotland is a shot at 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> place by beating Haiti and trying to salvage points against the favourites. Their match against Brazil on 24 June at the BBC is already one of the most anticipated fixtures for UK viewers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup runs <\/span><b>from 11 June to 19 July 2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The group stage runs from 11-27 June, with the knockouts beginning 28 June.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Where Will the 2026 World Cup be Held?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first time ever, the tournament is <\/span><b>co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Matches will take place in 16 cities (11 in the U.S., 3 in Mexico and 2 in Canada). The final will be played at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>How Many Teams Will Play in 2026?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In total, <\/span><b>48 teams will participate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, up from 32 in the past editions. This makes the 2026 tournament the largest World Cup ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>What is the New World Cup Format?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>48 teams are placed into 12 groups (A-L) of 4<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Each team plays a round-robin group stage. After 3 legs, the top 2 teams automatically qualify for the knockouts, joined by the 8 best 3rd-place finishers. <\/span><b>The knockouts begin with the Round of 32<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and continue until the Finals. There is also a third-place play-off match.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Why Did FIFA Expand the World Cup?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FIFA cited two main reasons for this: <\/span><b>sporting inclusivity and commercial growth<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From the sporting side, this format allows more confederations to send a greater number of teams. On the commercial side, the expanded format promises to bring in much more revenue.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><em><strong>Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org<\/strong><\/em><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The expanded format introduces a brand-new round \u2014 the Round of 32. This edition of the World Cup will<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":1892,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21948","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>FIFA World Cup 2026 Guide | Dates, Format &amp; Groups<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Get your complete guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 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