2026 FIFA World Cup: Dates, venues and everything you need to know

The World Cup is almost here. Although it may seem far off, the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already begun, and Colombian fans don't want to miss a single detail. This will be the biggest edition in history: 48 teams , 104 matches , and three host countries . Yes, you read that right: the United States, Mexico, and Canada will share the most anticipated football celebration.

But… where will the 2026 World Cup be played? When does the 2026 World Cup start? Which cities and stadiums will we see on screen? Here we tell you everything, with information confirmed by FIFA and explained in a way that's easy to understand, like when you're talking about football with your friends.

When does the 2026 World Cup start?

Mark your calendars: June 11, 2026, will be the opening whistle, with the inaugural match at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. That legendary stadium will become the first in history to host three World Cup opening matches (1970, 1986, and now 2026).

The final will be on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, a colossal venue with a capacity of over 82,000. Between those two dates, we have 39 days of pure football, goals, and excitement ahead.

In summary:

• 📅 Start: June 11 (Mexico, Azteca Stadium).
• 📆 Group stage: June 11-27 .
  
• 🏆 Final: July 19 (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey).
  

So when they ask you about the dates of the next World Cup, you already have the answer.

Where will the 2026 World Cup be held? The confirmed venues

The most searched question is: “Where is the 2026 World Cup?” The answer is broad, because there will be 16 host cities.

Mexico

• Azteca Stadium (Mexico City)
• BBVA Stadium (Monterrey)
• Akron Stadium (Guadalajara)

Canada

• BC Place (Vancouver)
• BMO Field (Toronto – capacity expanded to 45,000)

USA

• Los Angeles: Rose Bowl
• Dallas: AT&T Stadium
• Miami: Hard Rock Stadium
• Seattle: Lumen Field
• Boston: Gillette Stadium
• Kansas City: Arrowhead Stadium
• Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Houston: NRG Stadium
• San Francisco: Levi's Stadium
• Philadelphia: Lincoln Financial Field
• New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium

In total, the U.S. will be the most prominent host country, hosting 78 of the 104 matches, including all the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. Mexico and Canada will each host 13 matches, including their respective group stage games.

The new format: more teams, more matches, more excitement

2026 will mark a turning point: for the first time, there will be 48 teams . The group stage will consist of 12 groups of 4 teams, and 32 teams will advance to the next round.

This means the Cup will be longer (39 days) and feature more matches: 104 games in total. The champion will have to play 8 matches instead of 7, making each victory even more crucial.

For us fans, this translates into more options to watch matches, more stadiums buzzing with excitement, and of course, more reasons to travel.

Thinking about traveling: tickets and visas

If you're dreaming of seeing your national team (or world-class stars) live, the first thing to do is keep an eye on ticket sales. Here's a practical guide to World Cup 2026 tickets, with everything you need to know to make sure you don't miss out.

And since many matches will be played in the US, remember that you'll need a visa. Here's another helpful resource: how to apply for a US tourist visa in Colombia without failing.

Connecty, your ally for traveling to the World Cup

Connecty, your ally for traveling to the World Cup

Because traveling isn't just about buying a ticket and that's it. At Conecty, we're here to help with connectivity solutions ( SIM, eSIM, and data plans ) so you can enjoy the World Cup without worrying about roaming charges . This way, you can share every goal, every selfie at the stadium, and every moment of your trip without losing your connection.

The 2026 World Cup promises to break records, thrills, and boundaries. You already know the dates, venues, and new format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Now the ball is in your court:

Do you want someone to tell you about it, or do you want to tell it yourself, from the stands?

Make your plan now and experience firsthand the Cup that will make history.