World Cup 2026: Format, Dates, Teams, Broadcasting & Preview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will undoubtedly dominate the sporting headlines next summer.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, thus opening the door for some smaller nations to qualify for the event.
Read on as we look at the format, dates, teams and broadcasting information for the World Cup, before assessing which teams are most likely to lift the prestigious trophy.
World Cup 2026 – Format & Dates
The US, Canada and Mexico have been handed automatic entry into the World Cup. Another 45 teams will join them in the showpiece international tournament.
There will be 12 groups of four teams in the group stage, with the top two in each section securing a place in the knockout phase. The eight best third-placed teams also progress.
The tournament becomes a straight knockout from this point. Extra-time and penalties will be used to determine the outcome of games where necessary. The key dates are as follows:
- Group stage – June 11-27
- Round of 32 – June 28 – July 3
- Round of 16 – July 4-7
- Quarter-finals – July 9-11
- Semi-finals – July 14-15
- Third place play-off – July 18
- Final – July 19
World Cup 2026 – Teams
- UEFA (Europe) – 16 teams
- CAF (Africa) – 9 teams
- AFC (Asian) – 8 teams (Qualified: Iran, Japan)
- CONMEBOL (South America) – 6 teams – (Qualified: Argentina)
- CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) – 6 teams (Qualified: United States, Mexico Canada,)
- OFC (Oceania) – 1 team (Qualified: New Zealand)
World Cup 2026 – Broadcasters
- Argentina – Argentina TV, TyC Sports
- Albania – TV Klan
- Australia – SBS
- Austria – ORF
- Brazil – Grupo Globo, Grupo Bandeirantes
- Bulgaria – BNT, NOVA
- Bosnia & Herzegovina – BHRT, MY TV
- Canada – Bell Media
- Chile – Chilevision
- Colombia – Caracol Television, Canal RCN
- Croatia – HRT
- Czechia– CT, TV Nova
- Denmark – DR, TV2
- El Salvador – TCS (Canal 4)
- Ecuador – Teleamazonas
- Europe – EBU
- Finland – YLE, MTV
- France – M6
- Germany – Magenta Sport
- Guatemala – Chapin TV
- Hungary – MTVA
- India – Viacom18
- Israel – KAN
- Latin America – DSports
- Mexico – TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca
- Montenegro – Arena Sport
- Netherlands – NOS
- North Macedonia – Arena Sport
- Norway – NRK, TV2
- Pakistan – A Sports, PTV Sports
- Peru – America Television
- Russia – Match TV
- Romania – Antena 1
- Serbia – Arena Sport
- Slovakia – TV JOJ
- Slovenia – Arena Sport
- Sweden – SVT, TV4
- South Korea – JTBC
- Suriname – SCCN TV
- Turkey – TRT
- United Kingdom – BBC, ITV
- United States – FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
World Cup 2026 – Preview
They last won the World Cup in 2002, but new manager Carlo Ancelotti will believe he can help them end their drought given his track record of success in football.
Reigning champions Argentina will be eager to scupper their South American rivals’ hopes and defend the title they won so impressively in 2022.
Their success was the biggest football news story of the year as it ensured legendary playmaker Lionel Messi was able to add his name to the list of World Cup winners.
Messi has continued to play at international level and it will be intriguing to see if he decides to have one last hurrah with Argentina next year.
France, Germany and England are also prominent in the outright betting for the World Cup and will expect to go a long way at the tournament.
They have maintained their excellent form since then and could be tough to stop in their quest to lift the trophy for just the second time.
They defeated Netherlands 1-0 after extra time in the 2010 final and have the talent to mount a strong bid to repeat the feat next year.