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World Cup 2026 Expands to 48 Teams, Kicks Off June 19

6/21/2026

43 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, the largest lineup ever.
The tournament opened June 19, 2026 at 16 stadiums in United States, Canada and Mexico, broadcast on BBC, ITV, Fox and Telemundo.
Group-stage matches run through June 26, with the round of 32 beginning June 28.
Fans can stream games for $85 per month via World Soccer Ticket, with Miami offering free-parking watch parties at Hard Rock Stadium.

History

Historical Context

In 1998 FIFA enlarged the finals from 24 to 32 teams, establishing a new global standard. After Gianni Infantino backed a further expansion in October 2016, FIFA confirmed on 10 January 2017 that the 2026 World Cup will feature 48 squads, the largest tournament ever. Blatter’s 2013 call for guaranteed Caribbean berths illustrated the ongoing drive to broaden participation.

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Story summary

The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, the largest lineup ever.
The tournament opened June 19, 2026 at 16 stadiums in United States, Canada and Mexico, broadcast on BBC, ITV, Fox and Telemundo.
Group-stage matches run through June 26, with the round of 32 beginning June 28.
Fans can stream games for $85 per month via World Soccer Ticket, with Miami offering free-parking watch parties at Hard Rock Stadium.

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