FIFA Marks One Year to Go for World Cup 2026 – The Biggest Tournament in Football History
FIFA World Cup 2026: North America Set to Host the Biggest Tournament in Football History
On June 11, 2026, the world will unite for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026, the largest and most inclusive tournament in the history of the sport. Hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this landmark edition will feature 48 national teams competing in 16 vibrant Host Cities throughout North America.
As the first FIFA World Cup to span three countries, the 2026 tournament promises to be a truly global celebration. With over 6.5 million fans expected to attend matches, this event is set to be the biggest showcase of football ever staged, highlighting the power of sport to connect people across cultures and continents.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated, “One year from now, the greatest football show on the planet will captivate the world like never before. This is more than a tournament—it’s a global celebration of unity, passion, and dreams coming true.”
The One Year to Go milestone is being marked with excitement across North America. All 16 Host Cities are unveiling official countdown clocks, each designed with unique local flair to represent the spirit and culture of the cities. These clocks will count down to the moment the first match kicks off at midnight on June 11, 2026.
Each city is also celebrating with community events, local celebrity features, and digital storytelling to highlight what makes their home special. These initiatives will help create a sense of local pride while building global anticipation for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
As of now, 13 teams have qualified for the tournament. Canada, Mexico, and the USA earned automatic qualification as co-hosts, while Argentina, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Australia, IR Iran, Ecuador, New Zealand, Jordan, and Uzbekistan have secured their spots. The remaining 35 teams will be determined through qualification matches concluding in March 2026, with the Final Draw set for December 2025.
Adding to the excitement, the FIFA Club World Cup™ will also take place in the U.S. in 2025, further building momentum for a monumental year of football.
Get ready for the most thrilling and inclusive FIFA World Cup yet, as North America welcomes the world to celebrate the beautiful game on its grandest stage.
