The 2026 FIFA World Cup will soon get underway, and excitement levels are building across the globe.
Mexico vs South Africa kicks off the tournament on June 11, with the big finale pencilled in for July 19.
Over a month of fascinating international football awaits us and for the first time ever, the World Cup features 48 different nations.
So, ahead of the tournament’s start date, we have put together a handy little guide, with information on venues, groups, format and more.
And throughout the extravaganza of football, NetBet will be offering the very best World Cup odds, as well as regular online betting previews.
Also, make sure to activate our exciting Welcome Offer before the tournament gets underway. Place a qualifying £10 bet and receive £20 in Free Bets!
Where can I watch 2026 World Cup matches in the UK?
All 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup will be broadcast on free-to-air TV in the UK, on either the BBC or ITV channels.
Who are the hosts of the 2026 World Cup?
The United States of America, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 World Cup, the tournament returning to North America for the first time since the 1994 edition – which was solely hosted by the US and won by Brazil.
For football fans in the UK, the location means some late-night and early-morning kick-offs – but that is just all part of the World Cup fun!
And one other thing to mention, the weather in North America could play a big role in this World Cup, with hot and humid conditions expected throughout.
Fitness and focus levels will be put to the ultimate test, and those who flourished in last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup – which Chelsea won – may hold a very slight advantage here.
Which cities and stadiums will host 2026 World Cup matches?
There are 16 host cities and stadiums for the 2026 World Cup – and the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey will host the final on July 19.
United States of America:
Dallas – AT&T Stadium (94,000)
New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (82,500)
Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000)
Kansas City – Arrowhead Stadium (73,000)
Houston – NRG Stadium (72,000)
San Francisco – Levi’s Stadium (71,000)
Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium (70,000)
Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field (69,000)
Seattle – Lumen Field (69,000)
Boston – Gillette Stadium (65,000)
Miami – Hard Rock Stadium (65,000)
Canada:
Vancouver – BC Place (54,000)
Toronto – BMO Field (45,000)
Mexico:
Mexico City – Estadio Azteca (83,000)
Monterrey – Estadio BBVA (53,500)
Guadalajara – Estadio Akron (48,000)
What are the 2026 World Cup groups?
Group A – Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B – Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D – USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E – Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F – Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H – Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I – France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J – Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K – Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
When do England and Scotland play their 2026 World Cup group matches?
June 14 – Haiti vs Scotland (02:00)
June 17 – England vs Croatia (21:00)
June 19 – Scotland vs Morocco (23:00)
June 23 – England vs Ghana (21:00)
June 24 – Scotland vs Brazil (23:00)
June 27 – Panama vs England (22:00)
What is the 2026 World Cup format?
The expansion of the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 means some small tweaks to the format.
After the group stage, a new stage has been added featuring the 32 qualifiers. This round is made up of the winner and runner-up in each of the 12 groups, as well as the eight best third-place nations.
As such, it is pretty hard for the top teams to be eliminated before the knockout stage!
The Round of 32 is followed by the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off and the final.
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