What three countries will co-host the FIFA World Cup in June and July 2026?

The upcoming FIFA World Cup in June and July 2026 will mark a significant milestone in the tournament's history, as it will be jointly hosted by three North American nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This "United Bid" was selected in 2018, beating out a rival bid from Morocco, and represents the first time the men's World Cup will be shared across three countries.

The decision to have multiple hosts for the 2026 tournament is particularly notable because FIFA had previously moved away from co-hosting after the 2002 World Cup, which was jointly held by Japan and South Korea. However, the sheer scale of the 2026 event, which will be the first to feature an expanded format of 48 teams (up from 32), made a multi-nation approach highly practical. This expansion means a record 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities: 11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.

Mexico, with its rich footballing heritage, will make history by becoming the first country to host the men's World Cup three times, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. The United States hosted the tournament in 1994, while 2026 will be Canada's first time hosting the men's event. All three host nations automatically qualify for the tournament. The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament promises to be a vast and exciting spectacle, showcasing football across a wide geographical area and introducing a new format to fans worldwide.