The FIFA World Cup 2026 is less than a year away, with intensive preparations underway. This tournament will take place from Thursday, June 11, to July 19, 2026. It will be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has already confirmed the 104-match fixtures, ticketing phases, and camping capacity. Qualification matches are at the final stretch across different continents, with other compensation plans announced. This article reviews the various plans the apex football governing body has implemented for the 23rd edition of the World Cup.
Formats and Key Dates
- Kick off: June 11, 2026, in Mexico City (Estadio Azteca).
- Final: July 19, 2026, in New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium).
- Format: 48 teams playing 104 matches.
This new schedule introduces 16 groups to start the competition. This expands from the initial eight pots, promising more intriguing matches. The increase in the number of teams promises bigger entertainment and more betting opportunities.
Fans from countries outside the host nations can stay updated on the big event through specific channels. Most fans enjoy betting as an additional form of entertainment during the qualifiers and hope to continue when the tournament begins. This allows them to compare different global betting sites (Arabic: مواقع مراهنات عالمية ), searching for platforms with the best odds and promotions. These providers offer excellent live-streaming features and up-to-date statistics on head-to-head (H2H) matches.
Remember to bet responsibly as you join the excitement in forecasting possible outcomes. Only use legal platforms and study the terms and conditions.
Qualification Setup for Different Continents
As stated, this edition will be the first to feature 48 countries. Here’s a table that shows the allocation per confederation and region.
| Confederation | Region | 2025 Spots |
| AFC | Asia | 1 FIFA play-offs + 8 direct slots. |
| CAF | Africa | 1 FIFA play-off + 9 direct slots. |
| CONCACAF | North, Central America, and the Caribbean. | 2 FIFA play-offs + 6 direct slots (includes all 3 hosts). |
| CONMEBOL | South America | 1 FIFA play-off + 1 direct slot. |
| OFC | Oceania | 1 FIFA play-off + 1 direct slot. |
| UEFA | Europe | 16 direct slots. |
Progress in Setting up Infrastructure
The countries hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup are already more than halfway through building the stadiums and other similar facilities. They include airport arrangements, hotels, and several logistics.
Team Base and Training Camps
FIFA is preparing special Team Base Camps (TBCs) as part of its preparations. These facilities help to reduce the travel time between matches, ensuring all countries have access to cutting-edge training facilities.
There are currently 26 potential sites located in 9 locations outside the 16 cities billed to host the tournament across the 3 nations. These TBCs will be open to selection by teams that have secured qualification, which allows them to prepare close to their match venues.
Compensation Package
FIFA has also extended its “Club Benefits Program.” This is a special offer that the football body pays clubs for releasing players to their national teams for international duty and qualifiers.
The total fund is $355 million, which is beyond the $209 million figure shared for the 2022 edition in Qatar. Its aim is to ensure clubs benefit from the apex football tournament.
Ticketing
Prices for tickets to the competition have now been released. It begins with registration for anyone who wants to get alerts. This allows fans to receive timely updates regarding the rates in all phases, including early-bird, group-stage, and finals. The amount varies, depending on the seat selection. All remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis close to the start of the tournament.
The dynamic pricing method is used, ranging from $60 to $6,730 for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Many football fans, following the official page of MelBet Instagram Morocco, discussing performance of their national teams, making predictions and wondering who will be the winner.
Other Logistics to Expect
While most of the progress has been covered, there are still some hurdles to clear. This includes transportation modes and security protocols. All 3 host countries are still investing in providing new routes with multiple transit options for their fans. Hotel accommodations remain uncompleted, although we expect 95% to be completed at the start of the 2026 calendar year.
