What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out

What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out
The 23rd edition of soccer’s most prestigious tournament, which has been running since 1930. (AFP)
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Updated 11 June 2025

What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out

What to know about the 2026 World Cup one year out
  • The World Cup kicks off one year from now and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico
  • The 23rd edition of soccer’s most prestigious tournament, which has been running since 1930

The World Cup kicks off one year from now and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 23rd edition of soccer’s most prestigious tournament, which has been running since 1930, will be the biggest yet with 48 teams taking part.
Here’s what to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
When is the 2026 World Cup
The tournament will be played through June and July. It kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, with the final held July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which will be referred to as the New York New Jersey Stadium during FIFA’s tournament.
How to get tickets for the 2026 World Cup
Fans can register their interest in tickets through FIFA.
Who will play in the 2026 World Cup
So far, more than a dozen countries have booked their place in the 48-team tournament, including co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as defending champion Argentina.
Japan, Iran, Jordan, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and Ecuador are also through.
Sixteen teams will qualify from Europe — more than any other region.
Africa will have nine teams and Asia eight, with both also getting a place in the playoffs.
South America will have six teams qualifying directly and a playoff place. North and Central America and the Caribbean will also have six direct qualifiers and two playoff places.
Oceania will only have one direct qualifier and a playoff place.
Which cities will be hosting the 2026 World Cup
The United States will host games in Arlington, Texas; Atlanta; East Rutherford, New Jersey; Foxborough, Massachusetts; Houston; Inglewood, California; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami Gardens, Florida; Philadelphia, Seattle; and San Jose, California.
Two Canadian cities will have World Cup games: Toronto and Vancouver, British Columbia.
In Mexico, games will be played in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City.
What is the format of the 2026 World Cup
The tournament will follow the same format as in recent years, just with a bigger field.
There will be 12 groups of four teams. The teams in each group play each other and the top two will advance to a knockout stage. The eight best third-place teams will also advance.
The knockouts will be played from the round of 32 to the final.
Who won the last World Cup?
The previous World Cup was held in 2022 at Qatar, where Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout in the final.
Which country has won the most World Cup titles?
Brazil holds that record, having won the tournament five times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. Germany and Italy have each won four titles. Argentina has three.


Saudi Racing Team impresses in class debut at Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East

Saudi Racing Team impresses in class debut at Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East
Updated 6 sec ago

Saudi Racing Team impresses in class debut at Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East

Saudi Racing Team impresses in class debut at Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East
  • Team delivered a strong performance in the opening round at Bahrain International Circuit

JEDDAH: The Saudi Racing Team began its 2025-2026 campaign in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East with an impressive debut in the professional category, which is the championship’s highest and most competitive class.

Competing for the first time against elite regional and international drivers, the team delivered a strong performance in the opening round at Bahrain International Circuit, setting a tone of confidence and ambition for the season ahead.

Khalid Al-Ahmadi excelled with a third-place finish in the first race, followed closely by teammate Prince Saud bin Mutasim bin Saud in fourth.

In Race 2, Al-Ahmadi in third maintained his momentum with another podium finish, while Prince Saud was sixth, confirming the team’s capability to challenge at the top tier of the series.

The results are an impressive milestone in the team’s first professional category season, building on a remarkable 2024-2025 campaign in which Prince Saud captured both the Pro-Am title and the Gulf Championship, while the Saudi Racing Team claimed the Teams’ Championship. The team’s steady rise reflects its growing strength and determination to establish Saudi drivers among the region’s elite.

Prince Saud expressed pride in representing the Kingdom and the Saudi Racing Team in this new chapter of the championship.

He thanked the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation for its support and promised to deliver results that will make the Kingdom proud and further enhance its presence in global motorsport.

Teammate Al-Ahmadi described competing in the professional category as a challenge and an opportunity.

“Racing in the top tier is a responsibility we take seriously,” he said. “We’re giving everything we have to deliver results worthy of Saudi motorsport fans, and to prove that Saudi drivers can compete and succeed at the highest international levels.”

The Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East season features six rounds, with the next taking place in Qatar from Nov. 28-30.

The championship will then head to the UAE for rounds in Dubai (Jan. 24-25, 2026) and Abu Dhabi (Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2026), before returning to Bahrain (April 10-12, 2026).

The season finale will be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from April 17-19 as part of the 2026 Formula 1 n Grand Prix support races.