--- title: FIFA 2026 World Cup: Tickets, Draw, Locations, and More description: Trump has establishing a task force dedicated to the tournament, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico prepare to host the tournament. canonical: https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/ author: Callum Sutherland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2025-04-25T13:00:30.000Z article:modified_time: 2025-09-05T16:10:02.000Z article:section: Sports og:title: FIFA 2026 World Cup: Tickets, Draw, Locations, and More og:description: Trump has establishing a task force dedicated to the tournament, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico prepare to host. og:url: https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte6642ddeeccdb893/6998c61007a30d198277cf27/GettyImages-2177943496.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-BOL og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: FIFA 2026 World Cup: Tickets, Draw, Locations, and More twitter:description: Trump has establishing a task force dedicated to the tournament, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico prepare to host. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte6642ddeeccdb893/6998c61007a30d198277cf27/GettyImages-2177943496.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: Sep 5, 2025 4:10 PM UTCPublished: Apr 25, 2025 1:00 PM UTC  Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Thiago Almada after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers on Oct. 15, 2024. Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Thiago Almada after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers on Oct. 15, 2024.Luis Robayo—Getty Images by [Callum Sutherland](https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/) ## Callum Sutherland Reporter Updated: Sep 5, 2025 4:10 PM UTCPublished: Apr 25, 2025 1:00 PM UTC For just the second time in its 95-year history, soccer’s most watched event and sought after trophy will be contested on American soil; the FIFA World Cup. Over the course of 39 days, the United States, Canada, and Mexico will host 45 other countries, all competing for the biggest prize in soccer. Anticipation is high, so much so that President Donald Trump is establishing a dedicated task force. “This important event, taking place during the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of our country, presents an opportunity to showcase the nation’s pride and hospitality, while promoting economic growth and tourism through sport,” [said Trump via a White House notice](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/establishing-the-white-house-task-force-on-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/) published on March 7\. “My Administration will support preparations through a coordinated government effort.” Here is everything you need to know: ## **Where and when is the 2026 World Cup taking place?** From [June 11 to July 19](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums) 2026, an estimated 104 matches will be played across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. There will be 16 host cities, 11 of which are in the U.S. Every match from the quarter-final stage and onwards will be played in the States, with the grand final set to be played at the MetLife stadium in New Jersey. Other U.S. host cities include Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, Seattle, Miami, and Santa Clara in the Bay Area. ## **When is the draw for the 2026 World Cup?** Trump has confirmed that the draw for the World Cup group stage will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. During the draw, qualified teams will learn which three nations they will face in the group stage. 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with countries playing each other once. During the announcement in August, FIFA president [Gianni Infantino](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFjUjGv8z3Y) presented Trump with a “ticket” to the final, announcing that general sale tickets would be available from Sept. 10\. ## **How will dynamic pricing for World Cup 2026 tickets work?** FIFA will be using dynamic pricing, or prices based on specific demand for tickets, when tickets go on sale. A FIFA official [told](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6593901/2025/09/03/world-cup-2026-tickets-fifa-dynamic-pricing/) reporters on Sept. 2 that “variable pricing” will be used for World Cup tickets. “We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory,” the official said. Dynamic pricing allows for FIFA to make more money on popular tickets, such as the final or potential crucial knock-out games where favourites to win the tournament go head-to-head. However, it also means that fans may find it harder to fund tickets, particularly for games further into the tournament. While some group stage tickets start at [a minimum of $60](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/one-week-to-go-before-first-phase-ticket-sales-open), prices could go up to $6,730 for seats in the final, according to FIFA. These prices do not include [hospitality tickets](https://fifaworldcup26.hospitality.fifa.com/us/en/choose-matches?productCode=26FWC&quantity=1&productTypeCode=SM), which have already been put on sale and range from $1,400 to $3,150 at U.S. venues. During the Club World Cup earlier this summer in the United States, tickets for the semi-final game between English club Chelsea and Brazilian side Palmeiras reached [as low as $11.15](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cz7lrgwl141o). Some group stage games even saw prices as low as $5 for tickets due to lack of interest from local fans and a small number of travelling fans. But this is unlikely to occur at such extremes next year, with an anticipated [6 million fans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYfvp-U%5FW28) set to travel to Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. ## **How to watch the 2026 World Cup** For U.S. viewers hoping to enjoy the matches from the comfort of their home, the 2026 World Cup will be broadcast on [Fox Sports](https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2023/05/17/fox-sports-and-telemundo-deportes-present-fifa-world-cup-2026-brand-launch-special-live-tonight-wednesday-may-17/), with Spanish-language coverage also available on Telemundo. It has yet to be confirmed if there will be alternative viewing options for 2026 World Cup matches. However, for the 2022 World Cup, those with subscriptions to streaming services such as Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV [could watch](https://www.distractify.com/p/how-to-watch-the-2022-world-cup?) matches on those platforms. Fox Sports also [provided](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/how-to-watch-the-2022-world-cup-on-fox-times-channels-full-match-schedule) full match replays on its free streaming service, Tubi. This edition of the World Cup will be the first to include 48 countries, an increase from 32 which have played at each tournament since 1998\. ## **How does the tournament work?** As hosts, the United States, Canada, and Mexico have automatically qualified for the tournament. Other countries must compete in [qualifiers](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c9de7y0vg1jo#:~:text=There%20are%20six%20five%2Dteam,into%20the%20intercontinental%20play%2Doffs.) against nations from the same continent, followed by some inter-continental play-offs for certain countries. Iran, Japan, New Zealand and [reigning champions ](https://time.com/6242090/argentina-wins-world-cup-messi-france/)Argentina have all secured their place at the tournament. The full line-up will be finalized once qualifying finishes in March next year. Uzbekistan, Jordan, South Korea, Australia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Colombia[ have all qualified](https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/world-cup-2026-who-has-qualified) as well, alongside two-time champions Uruguay and Brazil, the most successful nation in the competition with five tournament victories. As mentioned, this is the first time that 48 countries will be competing at the World Cup, so the format has slightly changed from previous editions. The tournament begins with a group stage, with teams divided into 12 groups of four. Teams will play every other nation in their group once, with the top two automatically going through. Out of the teams that finish 3rd in each group, the best eight teams based on their points total will also go through. This leaves 32 teams in the competition, who go into the knockout stage of the tournament, all the way to the final on July 19.  Trump speaks alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino after unveiling the 2025 Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office of the White House on March 7, 2025. Anna Moneymaker—Getty Images ## **Who are the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup?** The odds may well change over the next 12 months or so, but there are already some frontrunners to lift the trophy in New Jersey. Current champions Argentina, with their star man [Lionel Messi](https://time.com/6342417/athlete-of-the-year-2023-lionel-messi/), will be looking to retain their world champion status by winning back-to-back tournaments, something last accomplished by Brazil in 1962. Brazil themselves are also contenders for the 2026 World Cup, last winning the competition in 2002\. Despite holding the most World Cup titles, Brazil has seen disappointment in recent tournaments. Meanwhile, last year’s European Championship saw Spain beat England 2-1 in the final, with Spanish teenage superstar [Lamine Yamal ](https://time.com/6997742/lamine-yamal-spain-footballer-teenager-bio-parents-net-worth/)shining throughout the tournament, making Spain a firm favorite for many. France has a star-studded squad with strong depth and exciting young players. Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé will hope to lead the line for France, this time [without a mask.](https://time.com/6994862/euro-2024-france-soccer-captain-kylian-mbappe-mask-wearing-reason/) And 2026 will likely prove to be the last opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to get his hands on the only major trophy that has eluded him. The Portuguese forward is considered one of soccer’s best ever, but he will be 41 by the time the World Cup kicks off next June. The U.S. men’s soccer team will also look to use home advantage to improve on their performance at the [2022 World Cup](https://time.com/6238721/us-mens-soccer-future-after-world-cup-2022/), in which they reached the first round of the knockout stage. ## **What exactly is Trump’s 2026 World Cup task force?** The President has [described](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/establishing-the-white-house-task-force-on-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/) next year’s World Cup as the “largest sporting event in history,” and as such has designated a specific task force for the tournament. This is [not the first time ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/leeigel/2025/04/10/trumps-fifa-world-cup-2026-task-force-can-alter-how-the-world-sees-the-us/)that a President has organised a federal task force to help coordinate an international sporting event. Bill Clinton put together similar agencies for both the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and Salt Lake City’s 2002 Winter Olympics. The 2026 World Cup task force will support host cities with logistical efforts, as [each location expects](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-white-house-task-force-on-the-fifa-world-cup-2026/) to receive 450,000 visitors and an influx of an estimated $480 million from tourism trade. During the first meeting of the task force on Tuesday, May 6, Trump said the team will ensure that “those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.” He also [confirmed that Andrew Giuliani](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/andrew-giuliani-lead-trumps-fifa-world-cup-task-force-trump-says-2025-05-06/), the son of former New York Mayor Rudy, will lead the task force. While taking questions from reporters, Trump was asked about the fact Russia is currently banned from competing in FIFA matches and tournaments, on account of its invasion of Ukraine in 2022\. Trump admitted he had been previously unaware of this, but then went on to say that the tournament—and the prospect of rejoining it one day—could be “[a good incentive](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpdzd2pqgvwo)" for Russia to end the war. ## **Concerns about transport and visa matters** The transport infrastructure has come under criticism ahead of the world’s biggest soccer event. [A report published in February](https://www.ustravel.org/press/new-report-details-necessary-travel-reforms-fifa-world-cup-olympics-mega-decade-events) raised concerns about burdens on U.S. air travel and how the high influx of visitors will be managed. The U.S.[ is also expected to struggle](https://eu.northjersey.com/story/sports/mls/worldcup/2025/04/11/fifa-world-cup-2026-nj-transit-issues/83043862007/), if not at least be at full capacity, with public transport demands. This brings into question the issue of fans travelling between cities to watch games during the World Cup tournament. Meanwhile, there are concerns regarding visa waiting times for fans expected to attend from certain countries. [The wait times for a visa interview at the U.S. embassies](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6163959/2025/02/28/2026-world-cup-usa-visa-wait-trump-fifa/) in Colombia and Turkey are high, and could extend beyond the start date of the World Cup. At the task force meeting, Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the expected[ arrival of foreign visitors ](https://www.barrons.com/news/trump-vows-seamless-experience-for-2026-world-cup-fans-8f0e7b72)who will be travelling to watch the World Cup. He said: “I know we'll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game. But when the time is up, they'll have to go home.”  ## **What happened at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final?** The U.S. hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, providing fans a taste for what is set to come in the 2026 World Cup. British club Chelsea F.C. came out on top in the 32-team tournament, beating European champions Paris Saint Germain 3-0 in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13. [Trump](https://time.com/7302062/trump-boos-fifa-club-world-cup-chelsea-palmer-infantino-controversy/) stole the spotlight during Chelsea’s trophy lift, breaking tradition by remaining on stage. This led to an awkward moment in which he stood in front of the final’s stand-out player Cole Palmer, who was visibly perplexed. The tournament, which was played across 12 different venues, also drew concerns over players competing in extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 85F during the final. This has led to concerns over [FIFA’s ability to protect 2026 World Cup athletes](https://time.com/7303535/extreme-heat-fifa-world-cup-2026/) amid the high temperatures expected for next summer. The tournament’s final also featured [a half-time show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJfixIE8guQ) including performances from Coldplay and Doja Cat amongst other artists. It was the first time that FIFA has put on such a show at one of its tournaments, and a half-time spectacle is also in place for the World Cup next year. And if you're holding out for a [Super Bowl-style spectacle ](https://time.com/7214228/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-analysis/)come the World Cup final on July 19, 2026, then you’re in luck. FIFA's president has [announced](https://inside.fifa.com/organisation/president/news/world-cup-final-26-half-time-show-global-citizen) that a half-time show will be performed during the final, with [Coldplay](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cge1q41np7go#:~:text=The%202026%20World%20Cup%20final,MetLife%20Stadium%20in%20New%20Jersey.) confirmed to lead the way by selecting the acts. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/"},"headline":"Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup","datePublished":"2025-04-25T13:00:30.000Z","dateModified":"2025-09-05T16:10:02.000Z","description":"Trump has establishing a task force dedicated to the tournament, as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico prepare to host the tournament.","url":"https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/","keywords":["Soccer","News Desk"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte6642ddeeccdb893/6998c61007a30d198277cf27/GettyImages-2177943496.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Callum Sutherland","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/callum-sutherland/"}],"articleSection":"Sports","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte6642ddeeccdb893/6998c61007a30d198277cf27/GettyImages-2177943496.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-BOL","caption":"TOPSHOT-FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-BOL","creditText":"Luis Robayo—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/sports/","name":"Sports"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/soccer/","name":"Soccer"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7280401/fifa-world-cup-2026-host-cities-qualifiers-how-to-watch-winners/","name":"Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup"}}]}] ```