World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament ever held, featuring 48 national teams competing across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, with a total of 104 matches played across the group stage and knockout rounds.

Winning Whistle brings you World Cup 2026 full match schedule in your local time.

📅 Tournament Overview
🏆 Dates: 11 June – 19 July 2026
⚽ Teams: 48 Teams
📍 Hosts: United States, Canada and Mexico
📊 Total Matches: 104 Matches
🏟️ Venue: 16

The wait is over! The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw is being held at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC, USA. This historic edition of the World Cup—jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico—features an expanded 48-team format, making it the biggest World Cup ever.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Tournament Overview

• Host Countries: USA, Canada, Mexico

• Total Teams: 48
• Groups: 12
• Final Date: 19 July, 2026
• Opening Match Venue: Estadio Azteca
• Final Venue: Metlife Stadium

Lets have a look at FIFA World Cup 2026 host Cities and Stadiums.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw

Group A

• Mexico
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Denmark/Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland

Group B

• Canada
• Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia
• Qatar
• Switzerland

Group C

• Brazil
• Morocco
• Haiti
• Scotland

Group D

• USA
• Paraguay
• Australia
• Turkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo

Group E

• Germany
• Curacao
• Ivory Coast
• Ecuador

Group F

• Netherland
• Japan
• Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
• Tunisia

Group G

• Belgium
• Egypt
• Iran
• Newzeland

Group H

• Spain
• Cabo Verde
• Saudia Arabia
• Uruguay

Group I

• France
• Senegal
• Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
• Norway

Group J

• Argentina
• Algeria
• Austria
• Jordan

Group K

• Portugal
• DRC/Jamaica/New Caledonia
• Uzbekistan
• Colombia

Group L

• England
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Panama

World Cup 2026 Format Explained

The 2026 World Cup marks the first-ever 48-team format. The new system includes:

• 48 Teams, 12 Groups, 104 Matches
• Eight 3rd best team will qualify to knock out stage.
• 32 teams will enter Round of 32
• No more early elimination after two matches
• More knockout games, more excitement

Cristiano Ronaldo is apparently in line for a new record contract with his club Al-Nassr ! As the Spanish newspaper “Marca” reports, the Portuguese superstar is set to extend his contract until 2026 and even receive a share of the club’s assets. With the option for a further season.

Ronaldo could earn around €183 million per season. This would be less than the current €200 million, but with a five percent stake in the club, the contract could still be unbeatable from a financial perspective.

This also puts an end to the crazy idea that Cristiano Ronaldo could return to Real Madrid this summer for the Club World Cup 2026. The portal “Eldesmarque” reported this.

Now Ronaldo will probably stay at Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese international moved from Manchester United to the desert in the winter of 2022, initially signing for two and a half years. The proceeds at the time were a so-called signing fee of €100 million and an annual salary totaling €200 million. At the time, it was the most lucrative contract in football history.

At the beginning of the year, the 2016 European champion spoke about a possible retirement:

I’m planning my retirement, and it will happen in a year or two. I’ll be 40 soon. I really want to enjoy this; as long as I feel motivated, I’ll keep going. The day I no longer feel motivated, I’ll retire.

Now “Marca” reports that Ronaldo has made strengthening the team with new signings a condition for the extension.

But things aren’t going well for CR7 and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The club is currently in third place, nine points behind leaders Al-Hilal and FC Ittihad.