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This page brings you complete coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026: including qualifiers, fixtures, points tables, squad announcements, injuries, transfers, predictions, match reports and tactical analysis. From host city updates and stadium news to Golden Boot races and breakout stars, every major storyline from the road to 2026 will be covered here.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin on June 11, 2026, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will be the biggest World Cup in football history: featuring 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 in previous editions.
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities, making it the longest and largest FIFA World Cup ever staged. The tournament format will feature 12 groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are expected to headline the tournament alongside football powerhouses such as Brazil national football team, France national football team, England national football team, Spain national football team and Germany national football team. The 2026 edition could also mark Messi’s final World Cup appearance, while stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are expected to dominate the global stage.
The World Cup remains the biggest sporting event on the planet. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France drew an estimated global audience of over 1.5 billion viewers, while FIFA recorded more than 5 billion engagements across its digital platforms during the tournament.
Alongside World Cup coverage, Times of India delivers comprehensive football news from the biggest club competitions and leagues around the world. Follow live updates, scores and analysis from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and international football.
With more than 3.5 billion football fans worldwide, the sport remains the most-followed game on the planet. From transfer deadline drama and title races to iconic rivalries such as El Clasico and the Manchester derby, football continues to produce moments that shape sporting history every season.
Stay updated with breaking football news, live scores, exclusive interviews, transfer rumours and expert analysis as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 gathers pace.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin on June 11, 2026, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will be the biggest World Cup in football history: featuring 48 teams for the first time, up from 32 in previous editions.
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities, making it the longest and largest FIFA World Cup ever staged. The tournament format will feature 12 groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32.
Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are expected to headline the tournament alongside football powerhouses such as Brazil national football team, France national football team, England national football team, Spain national football team and Germany national football team. The 2026 edition could also mark Messi’s final World Cup appearance, while stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Vinicius Junior are expected to dominate the global stage.
The World Cup remains the biggest sporting event on the planet. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France drew an estimated global audience of over 1.5 billion viewers, while FIFA recorded more than 5 billion engagements across its digital platforms during the tournament.
Alongside World Cup coverage, Times of India delivers comprehensive football news from the biggest club competitions and leagues around the world. Follow live updates, scores and analysis from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and international football.
With more than 3.5 billion football fans worldwide, the sport remains the most-followed game on the planet. From transfer deadline drama and title races to iconic rivalries such as El Clasico and the Manchester derby, football continues to produce moments that shape sporting history every season.
Stay updated with breaking football news, live scores, exclusive interviews, transfer rumours and expert analysis as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 gathers pace.
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