The 2026 FIFA World Cup, collectively hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is about to ignite soccer fever throughout North America.
FIFA on Monday revealed the dates that can mark the epic journey of this soccer extravaganza.
Kicking off on June 11, 2026, is the grand opening match at Mexico’s iconic Azteca Stadium.
With a seating capability of 83,000, this historic venue as soon as witnessed the legendary Diego Armando Maradona’s unforgettable “hand of god” aim, throughout Argentina’s 1986 quarterfinals overcome England.
Fast ahead to July 19, 2026, when the grand finale will unfold on the dazzling MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, U.S., boasting a formidable seating capability of 82,500.
The event guarantees an exciting journey by means of a sequence of group matches, igniting the soccer fervor in all 16 host cities from June 11 to June 27.
The spherical of 32 clashes will play out from June 28 to July 3, excluding Guadalajara and Philadelphia, with the spherical of 16 matches from July 4 to July 7, spanning throughout Vancouver, Seattle, Mexico City, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and New York/New Jersey.
The knockout levels will intensify, with Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston internet hosting the quarterfinals from July 9 to July 11.
Dallas and Atlanta will then take middle stage for the semifinals on July 14-15, main as much as the epic third-place match in Miami on July 18.
The 2026 event is about to characteristic a exceptional enlargement, as 48 groups will compete in 12 teams.
This marks a considerable enhance from the earlier format, which had 32 groups divided into eight teams.
Additionally, the variety of matches will surge, reaching a complete of 104, in comparison with the usual 64 matches performed in earlier tournaments.
Canada will step onto the worldwide stage, sharing within the World Cup frenzy for the primary time in historical past.
This dynamic trio of hosts, with Mexico having beforehand hosted in 1970 and 1986 and the U.S. in 1994, guarantees to ship a World Cup for the ages.
Source: www.dailysabah.com