2026 World Cup starts this Thursday | OneFootball

World Cup trophy: the object of desire for 48 national teamsCredits: Omar Vega - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally kicks off this Thursday (11), after about three and a half years of anticipation. A total of 48 national teams make up the biggest edition in history, all dreaming of reaching the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

At 4 p.m. (Brasília time), Mexico and South Africa, in Group A, will face each other in the opening match of this World Cup, replaying the first game of the 2010 edition. Sixteen years ago, they drew 1-1. This time, the rematch will take place at the legendary Azteca Stadium, which hosted the finals in 1970 and 1986. It is also the stadium that has hosted the most World Cup matches: 19.

Later, at 11 p.m., South Korea and the Czech Republic, in the same group, will take the field at Akron Stadium in Jalisco, Mexico.

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Host countries and host cities

The 23rd edition of the tournament will have three host countries for the first time: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Altogether, there will be 104 matches, divided among 16 cities: in the United States, the selected cities were Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle; in Mexico, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey; and in Canada, Toronto and Vancouver.

In addition to Mexico, which opens its campaign this Thursday, the United States and Canada will take the field this Friday (12). Canada will face Bosnia at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at BMO Field in Toronto, while the United States will take on Paraguay at 10 p.m. (Brasília time) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

South Africa and Mexico will play the opening match of the 2026 World Cup, replaying the first game of the 2010 editionCredits: Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Tournament format

The 48 national teams were split into 12 groups of four countries each. Thirty-two will advance to the knockout stage. The group winners and runners-up from each group will qualify, along with the eight best third-place teams.

With the increase from 32 to 48 participants, a round before the round of 16 was created, and the number of matches increased from 64 to 104. Therefore, the finalists and the teams competing for third place will play eight matches.

Brazil in World Cups

The spot secured in the qualifiers kept Brazil as the only country to take part in all 23 World Cup editions. Altogether, in World Cups, Brazil has played 114 matches, with 76 wins, 19 draws, and 19 losses. The 237 goals scored make it the most prolific attack in history. It has also conceded 108 goals.

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Brazil will make its debut this Saturday (13), at 7 p.m. (Brasília time), against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It will then face Haiti on the 19th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), and close out the group stage against Scotland on the 24th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Five-time world champion (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002), the Seleção will be aiming to win its long-awaited sixth title.

Broadcast

In Brazil, the World Cup will be broadcast by six different outlets and platforms: Globo and SBT (free-to-air TV), sportv and N Sports (pay TV), Ge TV (via Globoplay), and CazéTV (YouTube).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.