The clock is ticking for what will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup and one which makes history for Canada who have never hosted the men’s event before. The two other nations involved are the US and Mexico and between June11 and July 19 2026, they will see the world’s greatest football teams battle it out to claim the sport’s ultimate prize.
For the first time ever, the competition will feature 48 nations. There have been criticisms that this will involve too many matches over the tournament’s five week period but the aim of FIFA has been to give more countries than ever to appear on the world’s biggest soccer stage. As the hosts of the tournament Canada, the US and Mexico have been given automatic entry into the group stages with each playing their first matches on home soil.
The tournament’s initial stage involves 12 groups of four teams each. After all the teams have played their three matches the top two teams in each group will proceed to the round of 32 when it becomes a knockout competition. The other eight places in this round will be competed for amongst the 12 third-place teams in the groups. A further three rounds will then be played, leading to the final to be played at the MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets, on Sunday July 19 2026.
The venues
There will be a total of sixteen host cities for the tournament and a total of 24 different venues. In line with FIFA sponsorship rules those carrying sponsor’s names like the MetLife, Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco and Houston’s NRG Stadium will be renamed for the duration of the tournament, usually just with their city’s name.
Toronto is fortunate in having many world-class sporting venues with BMO Field being the obvious choice for the tournament. The home of Toronto FC as well as the Toronto Argonauts, it has been a hotbed for the city’s growing interest in soccer since 2007. The capacity is being expanded from the usual 28,180 to 45,736 for the tournament and it’s here that the Canadian national team will play their first match on June 12.
In the country’s second host city, Vancouver, it’s BC Place that will see the action. This is the home ground for the MLS team the Vancouver Whitecaps. It was a major venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics which undoubtedly helped in its bid for inclusion as a venue as did its use in the final of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With a capacity of 54,500 it’s one of the smaller venues to be used.
The teams to watch
Although they’d like to dream of the title it would be a very brave gambler who would bet on any of the host nations reaching the final. A far safer option would be any of these five teams.
Spain
The current European champions have scored fifteen goals and conceded none in their first four qualifying matches for the tournament. Their fluid football during Euro 2024 is still fresh in the mind and with Lamine Yamal proving himself to be one of the best in the world, they will take some stopping. They are already listed as early favourites by many bookmakers. For readers keeping an eye on how the betting markets evolve, a Betway promo code on Oddspedia is available to new users in Canada.
Argentina
Then there are the holders of the World Cup following a stellar display in the searing heat of Qatar in the first ever Winter World Cup. One big question is whether the mercurial Lionel Messi will be in the squad. But even without him the talent goes deep thanks to players like Julian Alvarez and young talent like Nico Paz likely to be on the team sheet.
England
60 years on from their only World Cup title this will be manager Thomas Tuchel’s first opportunity to heal six decades of hurt. In Harry Kane he has a captain who leads from the front, seasoned campaigners Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold are genuine playmakers and exciting newcomers Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon make for a beautifully balanced squad.
Portugal
He might be 41 now but a series of dominant performances in the Nations League showed that high scoring Cristiano Ronaldo is still a force to be reckoned with. That said, he hasn’t been 100% convincing in the qualifying stages but with team-mates like Nuno Mendes and Bruno Fernandes to back him up Portugal are not a team to underestimate.
France
A slightly longer shot, but a possible surprise winner all the same. France have been showing signs of their old form recently. It’s set to be coach Didier Deschamps’ swansong so the team could just get it together to deliver a great send-off. But whoever wins on July 19 we can be sure that the run-up to it will have delivered upsets, great contests and plenty to talk about – and that’s surely what the World Cup’s all about.
