100 Days Until 2026 FIFA World Cup: What to Know

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to feature 48 teams across the U.S., Canada and Mexico

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Tuesday marks 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place on June 11 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. The U.S. Men's National Team was drawn into Group D, which also includes Paraguay, Australia and a yet-to-be-determined European team. Several controversies have surrounded this World Cup, including concerns over immigration policies and the potential absence of Iran's national team due to recent military actions.

Why it matters

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, with 48 teams competing across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This expansion provides more opportunities for countries to make their World Cup debuts, while also raising questions about logistics, security and human rights issues in the host nations. The performance of the U.S. Men's National Team, led by their 'golden generation' of players, will be closely watched by American fans eager to see the team make a deep run on home soil.

The details

The 48 teams competing in the 2026 World Cup have been divided into 12 groups of 4. Several groups still have open spots that will be filled by teams qualifying through UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs in March. The U.S., as a co-host, automatically qualified and was drawn into Group D along with Paraguay, Australia and a yet-to-be-determined European team. Controversies include concerns over immigration policies that could restrict entry for some participating nations, as well as the potential absence of Iran's team due to recent military actions involving the U.S. and Israel.

  • Tuesday marks 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
  • The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will take place on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.
  • The UEFA Path A, B, C and D playoffs will take place on March 26, 2026, with the finals on March 31, 2026.
  • The Inter-confederation Path 1 and 2 playoffs will also take place on March 26, 2026, with the finals on March 31, 2026.
  • The World Cup final will be played on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in the New York City metro area.

The players

Christian Pulisic

A winger for AC Milan and the leader of the U.S. Men's National Team's 'golden generation'.

Timothy Weah

The son of legendary Liberian player George Weah, Timothy Weah plays as a winger for Marseille and is expected to partner with Pulisic in the USMNT attack.

Gio Reyna

The son of former USMNT midfielder Claudio Reyna, Gio Reyna plays as an attacking midfielder for Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

Weston McKennie

A seasoned midfielder who plays for Juventus in Italy's Serie A and will help anchor the USMNT midfield.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine manager who took over the USMNT in 2024 after coaching several top European clubs, including Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea.

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What they’re saying

“We will monitor developments around all issues around the world. We had the finals draw in Washington in which all teams participated, and our focus is on a safe World Cup with all the teams participating.”

— Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA Secretary General (ESPN)

“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.”

— Mehdi Taj, President of Iran's soccer federation (Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, raising logistical and security challenges for the host nations. The performance of the talented U.S. Men's National Team will be a major focus for American fans, while controversies surrounding immigration policies and Iran's potential absence loom over the event.