The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway. With all 48 participating teams confirmed, this year's tournament features the largest format in the competition's history, bringing together more nations and more matches than ever before.
For those following the matches through platforms like the Onjabet mobile app, this creates more opportunities to explore different games and betting options throughout the tournament. Below, we’ll look at the key details of the 2026 FIFA World Cup that have already been finalized.
Where Will the Matches Take Place?
It is worth noting that for the first time in the tournament’s history, matches are being held in three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In total, players and their fans travel to 16 cities where events are scheduled. Each city has its own unique characteristics, both in terms of the venue (soccer stadium) and its history.
Let’s take a look at some of the cities selected by the tournament organizers in the table below.
|
City Name |
Description |
|
Toronto |
This is a Canadian city home to the large BMO Field stadium. It is here that the match between the teams will take place. It is worth noting that major events have already been held in this city, such as the 1998 Women’s World Cup. |
|
Mexico City |
A Mexican city that has its own professional soccer teams. To date, it has hosted two FIFA World Cups—in 1970 and 1986. |
|
Boston |
An American city that has already hosted World Cups—in 1994, 1999, and 2003. That is why they know how to host world-class events here. It is expected that 2026 will be just as spectacular. |
|
Miami |
Another American city with a long soccer history. It is home to numerous soccer organizations for both professionals and amateurs. It is clear that the upcoming event will draw a large crowd of fans. |
Expected Start of the FIFA World Cup
The World Cup schedule has already been announced, and all first-round matches have been set. The tournament kicked off on June 11 with a match between Group A teams Mexico and South Africa. The game took place at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
In addition to the opening match, other tournament matches were expected to be held at the stadium. Following the opening match, the first teams to take the field at the stadium were Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K. The venue also hosted the Group A clash between the Czech Republic and Mexico. Later in the tournament, the stadium is set to stage both a Round of 32 and a Round of 16 match.
On the second day of the tournament, June 12, fans were treated to matches from two different groups. In Group A, the Republic of Korea faced the Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico. Another fixture took place in Toronto, Canada, where the host nation met Bosnia and Herzegovina in front of home supporters.
The Conclusion of the World Cup: What to Expect at the End
The competition between the teams will conclude on July 19 with two matches. The participants will be the two strongest teams that have made it through the entire playoff bracket. First up will be the contenders for third place at the Miami stadium. These will be the teams that won their semifinal matches.
Shortly thereafter, the tournament’s final match will be played at New York Stadium in New Jersey. In this match, fans will find out who exactly will be crowned the winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is worth noting that five group stage matches and two knockout stage matches have already been scheduled for the New York Stadium during this tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup for Fans
This year, soccer fans are in for a very special World Cup. This is because changes have been made to the tournament format, and it is now considered the largest in history. The following innovations contributed to this:
- An increase in the number of teams. The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams. This has significantly expanded the number of participants in the World Cup.
- A change in the event’s structure. The first stage has been divided into groups of four teams. After the group stage, the top two teams from each group advance to the next round.
- An additional playoff stage. This decision was made due to the significant increase in the number of participants. That is why a team vying for the tournament title must play 8 matches (compared to 7 in the previous tournament).
Thus, the changes to the format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have led to an increase in its duration and the number of matches. In total, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will last a full 39 days. This is a significant change driven by the event’s new structure. That’s why fans will certainly have plenty to watch during the tournament and, if they wish, can place bets either during the broadcast or beforehand.
You can also place bets either during the broadcast or before it, if you prefer. Betting platforms will offer a wide variety of options, ranging from traditional to more exotic outcomes. This is because the Championship features teams that have qualified for the event for the first time, as well as quite a few dark horses that could spring a surprise. It is recommended to study the strengths of each team in the tournament beforehand. This is especially important for live betting, which requires a quick reaction to events unfolding on the field.
