Real Quick: World Cup 2026
For 39 days, the World Cup will span 3 countries, 16 cities, and 48 teams. Because soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with more than 5 billion fans.
About FIFA
The World Cup doesn’t belong to a country or a league. It belongs to FIFA, a global soccer organization that coordinates the tournament, chooses host nations, and manages the event.
The organization was founded in 1904, but the first World Cup wasn’t played until 1930.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts June 11 and runs through July 19. It will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This is the first World Cup ever hosted by three countries at the same time and is the largest in history featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches.
The tournatment games will be played in cities including Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Kansas City, and New York.
A Little History
Before the World Cup existed, international soccer was only played at the Olympics.
Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup. The United States finished third in the 1930 World Cup. The first World Cup had only 13 countries. Teams do not get the true World Cup trophy, it stays with FIFA and winners receive a replica.
The last time more than one country hosted the tournament was 2002 in Japan and South Korea.
Why It Matters
FIFA estimates the tournament generates more than $40 billion in economic activity and brings millions of visitors.
Whether local businesses ultimately see all of those benefits is something economists and city leaders often debate after the event.
You don’t have to be a soccer fan to notice the World Cup. For a few weeks, it will show up everywhere, from airports and hotels to social media and headlines. Few events reach as many people, places, and conversations around the world.
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