SANTO DOMINGO. — The FIFA World Cup 2026 is already taking shape and promises to become one of the most historic and spectacular editions of all time. The World Cup event will kick off on June 11th with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Banorte Stadium and will culminate on July 19th with the grand final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.

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For the first time in history, the World Cup will feature 48 participating teams and a total of 104 matches, significantly expanding the traditional format of the tournament and taking the competition to a new global dimension. The 2026 edition will also mark another historic event: it will be jointly organized by three host countries —United States, Mexico, and Canada— consolidating a World Cup of continental scope. Among the favorites to conquer the title is Spain, the current European champion, followed by high-profile teams such as England, France, Brazil, and the reigning world champion, Argentina, who will seek to defend the crown won in Qatar 2022. The tournament will bring together some of the biggest stars in world football, including Lionel Messi, who could play his last World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, among other protagonists who promise to capture international attention. Mexico, for its part, will seek to break the barrier of the famous “fifth game” playing at home, while the United States will try to take advantage of its recent football growth and Canada aspires to consolidate its new competitive generation. The final list of the 48 participating teams was completed after the international play-offs, where Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Sweden, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq qualified. In addition to the sporting expectation, the 2026 World Cup will also be surrounded by great logistical, tourist, and security challenges. The venues continue to accelerate stadium renovations, hotel expansion, and infrastructure adjustments to receive millions of fans during the event. Mexico will make history by becoming the first country to host three World Cups, while cities in the United States and Canada prepare to organize fan festivals, cultural events, and side activities linked to the tournament. The 2026 World Cup will not only represent a new era for international football due to its expanded format, but also because of the global impact it will have at a sporting, economic, and cultural level. With the countdown already underway, the football planet is preparing to experience a World Cup that promises unprecedented emotions, full stadiums, and a new page in the history of the world’s most popular sport.