With exactly one year to go, anticipation is building across North America as the FIFA World Cup 26™ gears up to become the largest and most inclusive tournament in football history. The highly anticipated event will kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Spanning three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—and featuring an expanded field of 48 teams, the 2026 edition marks a groundbreaking milestone as the first FIFA World Cup™ hosted across multiple nations. Organizers are expecting an estimated 6.5 million fans to flock to stadiums throughout North America, uniting a continent—and the world—through the shared passion for football.

“Exactly one year from now, the greatest football show on the planet will definitely captivate the world like never before,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a special video message released via the FIFA Media Hub. “This is more than a tournament; it’s a global celebration of connection, unity, and passion. Dreams are turning into reality as teams qualify and fans plan their journeys to witness history in the making.”

As part of the build-up, all 16 Host Cities will unveil locally-inspired countdown clocks in central landmarks, counting down every second to the tournament’s opening. Each Host City will also release a unique video featuring local celebrities or personalities, highlighting what makes their community special.

Infantino added, “The splendour, culture, and unique flavour of each of our Host Cities will be on full display, showcasing everything North America has to offer. We look forward to welcoming teams and guests from every continent to celebrate the beautiful game on its grandest stage.”

Currently, 13 teams have already secured their places in the tournament. In addition to hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, automatic qualifiers, reigning champions Argentina, as well as Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, IR Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, New Zealand, and first-time entrants Jordan and Uzbekistan, have booked their tickets. The remaining 35 teams will qualify between now and March 2026, with the tournament’s group stage draw scheduled for December 2025.

Adding to the excitement, the United States will host the inaugural edition of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup™ beginning this Saturday in Miami, featuring 32 of the world’s top clubs competing for the ultimate global club title.

Tickets for FIFA World Cup 26 will go on sale to the general public in the coming months, while select hospitality packages are already available. Additional packages, including options for matches in Canada and Mexico, will launch in July. Fans can find more information at FIFA.com/tickets. For those eager to join the tournament from the inside, FIFA’s Volunteer Community—already home to one million members—will open applications soon via FIFA.com/volunteers.

For a deeper dive into the latest tournament details, facts, and figures, fans can refer to the official One Year to Go fact sheet available now.