PkRevenue.com – FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his vision for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, predicting it to be the most inclusive and grandest tournament in football history. The event, set for June 2026, will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
In a recent press release, accompanied by the iconic trophy, Infantino highlighted that the upcoming event will feature 48 nations and be held across 16 cities in three countries.
The tournament will commence at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final in New Jersey (New York) on July 19.
The Estadio Azteca, which will also host matches in Monterrey and Guadalajara, is set to make history by becoming the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
Infantino emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting the legendary matches and champions like Pelé and Diego Maradona who have graced the stadium.
Qualifying matches are actively underway, with significant developments in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifiers.
Eighteen matches are set to conclude the second round, determining which teams advance. Additionally, matches are scheduled in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Concacaf region, with South American qualifiers having started in September 2023.
Infantino outlined key milestones leading up to the World Cup, including qualifying draws in Asia and Oceania. The AFC will see 18 teams competing for eight direct slots in September, while 11 nations in Oceania will vie for one direct slot. UEFA qualifiers will occur between March 2025 and March 2026, with 16 berths available for European teams.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a historic event, bringing together millions of fans worldwide in a celebration of football across North America’s diverse and iconic venues.
