The global spectacle of the FIFA World Cup is set to expand like never before in 2026, with a groundbreaking 104-match schedule across three North American nations.
The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will kick off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca and culminate on July 19, 2026, with the final staged in New York/New Jersey. This expanded format sees an increase from the previous 64-match tournament, promising an unprecedented level of global football engagement. The decision to increase the number of games, alongside the expansion to 48 teams, signifies a major shift in the tournament's scale and ambition, aiming to bring the World Cup experience to a wider audience and generate increased revenue.
This monumental event will feature matches spread across 16 cities, including Glendale, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle in the U.S., as well as Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, alongside Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico. For fans eager to follow every moment, CBS will provide extensive coverage in the United States. While specific broadcast details for all 104 matches are still emerging, CBS Sports and its affiliated platforms are confirmed to carry the games, ensuring that audiences can tune in for the electrifying journey from the opening whistle to the final trophy lift.
With the tournament's expanded format and broad geographical reach, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to be the most inclusive and widely accessible edition to date. As the countdown begins, what storylines do you anticipate unfolding across this vast continental stage?