Story perspectives

US, Canada, Mexico to Co-Host $9B 48-Team 2026 World Cup

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 48-team 2026 World Cup, July 19, 2026.
The tournament has 104 games and advances eight best third-place teams to a knockout round.
FIFA projects over $9 billion in revenue while tickets range $140-$8,680 and a final seat costs $32,970.
FIFPRO reports a 44 % injury rise at Chelsea affecting Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Estevao while Curaçao, Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan debut and Haiti returns after 52 years.

History

Historical Context

After FIFA chose the United States as host on July 4 1988, the 1994 World Cup expanded to 24 teams, drew a record 3,587,538 spectators and spurred the creation of Major League Soccer. That commercial success proved larger formats could grow the sport, paving the way for the North American trio—United States, Canada and Mexico—to co-host the 48-team 2026 tournament.

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Story summary

The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 48-team 2026 World Cup, July 19, 2026.
The tournament has 104 games and advances eight best third-place teams to a knockout round.
FIFA projects over $9 billion in revenue while tickets range $140-$8,680 and a final seat costs $32,970.
FIFPRO reports a 44 % injury rise at Chelsea affecting Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Estevao while Curaçao, Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan debut and Haiti returns after 52 years.

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