2026 World Cup viewer's guide: Format, new rules, predictions, how to watch and everything you need to know before kickoff

The 2026 World Cup is the first men's World Cup in the United States since the 1994 tournament, and it's unlike any World Cup ever played.

Here's everything you need to know to be ready when the tournament kicks off this week.

The tournament begins Thursday with Mexico hosting South Africa at Mexico City's famed Estadio Azteca. The first game in the United States is the following day, as the U.S. faces Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday.

The group stage runs through June 27, with the first off day coming July 8 before the quarterfinals. The final is Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Kickoff times range from noon ET to midnight ET, with four games per day from June 13 to June 23 and six games per day for group finales from June 24 to June 27.

This World Cup will be the first one that is played in three countries, as the U.S., Canada and Mexico serve as co-hosts. Canada (two cities) and Mexico (three) will each host 13 games, and the remaining 78 matches are in 11 cities across the U.S., including all eight games from the quarterfinals onward.

With 48 teams, this is the biggest World Cup ever, a 50% increase from the 2022 tournament. The expansion means 104 total matches, 40 more than the previous World Cup.

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