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

6/5/2026

Summary

USA Co-hosts

The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding the field to 48 teams and 104 matches from June 11, 2026 to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
170 officials, including 88 assistant referees and 30 VARs, will run the tournament.
Matches will be staged in 16 cities, with SoFi Stadium hosting knockout games and the United States playing Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Summary

FIFA Launches Album

FIFA released an 18-track Official World Cup 2026 Album, the tournament’s largest music project.
The album features tracks by LISA, Anitta, Rema, 21 Savage, Nata Cano and French Montana.
Shakira will headline Mexico’s opening ceremony, performing “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy before the June 11 match.
Madonna and BTS will co-headline the final’s halftime show on July 19.
Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette will headline Toronto’s opening ceremony before Canada’s June 12 match versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Summary

Law Enforcement Secures

Law enforcement agencies are coordinating security for the 48-team, 78-match U.S. World Cup schedule, with police departments and a $7 million Inglewood allocation for match-day safety.
Andrew Giuliani, director of White House FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force, called stretch unprecedented and said planners are plugging holes after a DHS shutdown.
Researchers found 4,300 FIFA domains and a “GHOST STADIUM” phishing network of 300 sites, estimating losses of $71 million to $474 million.

History

Historical Context

The United States hosted the 15th FIFA World Cup from June 17 to July 17 1994, drawing a record 3,587,538 spectators across nine venues and seeing Brazil defeat Italy on penalties at the Rose Bowl. Building on that infrastructure legacy, the 2026 joint United States Canada Mexico bid expands the tournament, echoing the 1994 push to grow North American soccer.

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USA Co-hosts

The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanding the field to 48 teams and 104 matches from June 11, 2026 to the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
170 officials, including 88 assistant referees and 30 VARs, will run the tournament.
Matches will be staged in 16 cities, with SoFi Stadium hosting knockout games and the United States playing Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye in Los Angeles and Seattle.

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