The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across North America, with matches hosted at 16 venues in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. For the first time, the tournament is being co-hosted by three countries: 11 venues in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. Since the 2018 FIFA Congress selected the venues to host the 2026 World Cup, the three North American countries have been working to deliver the tournament. This edition will be the first to feature 48 competing teams, expanded from 32. Unlike the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which required the construction of entirely new stadiums, the three host countries already have the necessary infrastructure in place, though several venues are taking the opportunity to upgrade their facilities, including Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, Arlington's AT&T Stadium, and Toronto's BMO Field.
FIFA World Cup host countries are chosen through a multi-year, structured bidding process that culminates in a public vote. Candidates must meet the institution's technical requirements regarding stadiums, transport, and infrastructure before delegates from all member associations cast their votes. The bidding process opens nearly ten years before the tournament, when eligible member associations declare their interest in hosting, and if selected, have sufficient time to bring venues up to FIFA standards. As part of the evaluation, bidding nations are required to submit detailed documentation on their sports infrastructure, providing a rigorous assessment of technical capacity and risk. Bids that pass the technical evaluation are reviewed by the FIFA Council, after which the shortlisted candidates are presented to the FIFA Congress, comprising over 200 member associations. Members then participate in a public ballot, with a simple majority vote determining the host.
