The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious association football tournament in the world, held every four years since 1930 (except in 1942 and 1946 due to World War II). It features men’s national teams from the member nations of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and draws billions of viewers globally, making it the world’s most-watched sporting event.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The opening match kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, while the final will be played in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the United States.

Prior to 2026, the FIFA World Cup featured 32 teams playing 64 matches, a format established in 1998. In 2017, the FIFA Council decided to expand the tournament to 48 teams, raising the match count to 104, in order to provide opportunities for more nations to participate in football’s biggest stage.

FIFA currently has 211 member associations across the globe. Since Antarctica has no permanent population or football association, the six participating continents represented in the tournament are Africa, Asia, Europe, North America (including Central America and the Caribbean), Oceania, and South America.

The 2026 World Cup is only the second time in history that the tournament is co-hosted. The first was in 2002, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. However, 2026 is the first time three countries are hosting it together. Mexico previously hosted in 1970 and 1986, the U.S. in 1994, while Canada is hosting men’s matches for the first time.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti leads Brazil, having been appointed in May 2025 as their first-ever permanent foreign manager. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel leads England, having taken charge in January 2025 to guide them through the tournament.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was won by Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, after a dramatic final against France. It was Argentina’s third World Cup title and Messi’s first. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal has never won a World Cup, with their best finish being third place in 1966.

Brazil is the most successful nation in FIFA World Cup history, having won the tournament five times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002). Pele, widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, is the only player in history to have won three World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970) for Brazil.

Spain won the UEFA Euro 2024 championship by defeating England in the final, with 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal winning the Young Player of the Tournament award. This spectacular success established Spain as a major favorite for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Germany and England remain strong contenders but to a slightly lesser extent.

Italy, one of football’s historical giants with four World Cup titles (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006), failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022, and 2026 World Cups. This three-tournament drought is unprecedented for a team of Italy’s caliber, especially since they won the Euro 2020 championship in the intervening years.

Sports diplomacy involves using athletic events to promote foreign policy objectives, build positive international relations, and bridge cultural gaps. Major tournaments like the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup are prime opportunities for host nations and participants to exercise soft power and foster global unity.

The selection of Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022) as World Cup hosts in a joint vote in December 2010 was marred by widespread allegations of bribery and corruption within FIFA’s executive committee. An independent investigation later revealed significant ethical breaches, leading to the removal and ban of several top FIFA officials, including then-president Sepp Blatter.

The 2026 World Cup takes place amidst high international tension. Key issues include the exclusion of Russia from FIFA competitions due to the invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic frictions between the host U.S. and countries like Iran and Cuba, and general security concerns across the 16 host cities.

Iran faces severe logistical challenges for the 2026 World Cup due to ongoing U.S. sanctions, which restrict banking and travel for Iranian nationals. Additionally, the U.S. has strict visa policies for countries with strained diplomatic ties, raising concerns that Iranian players, staff, and fans might face delays or denials in obtaining entry visas.

The 2026 World Cup takes place against the backdrop of major global conflicts, specifically the Russian invasion of Ukraine (which began in February 2022) and the ongoing wars in West Asia (Middle East), including the Israel-Hamas conflict. These wars have caused significant geopolitical instability, affecting international sports participation, athlete security, and global diplomatic relations.