World Cup 2026 explained: 48 teams, three hosts, big stars and how to watch
World Cup 2026 expands to 48 teams across Canada, Mexico and the United States, with a 12‑group stage producing 32 knockout entrants and a final on July 19 in New York/New Jersey after 104 matches. The bigger field aims to boost growth and give underdogs a shot, though critics point to sky‑high ticket prices and resale fees. Contenders include Spain, France, Argentina, England, Brazil and Germany, with dark horses Morocco and Norway; notable players to watch include Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Haaland, Kane and Mbappé. If watching at home, major broadcasters around the world will carry every match; travel distances for teams reaching the final will be substantial, and FIFA’s prize money totals $727m with the winner receiving $50m, as FIFA projects about $13bn in gross revenue.