2026 FIFA World Cup

World Cup 26 schedule

• Group stage: June 11–27 - The new extended Group Stage has caused some controversy. With 48 teams split into 12 groups of 4. The top 2 will go through direct and the 8 best placed teams will be ranked on points and goal difference. The group stage always sees shocks and is often the most colourful part of the World Cup as teams make their debuts and reappearances, and fans will pack the stands across the three host nations.
• Round of 32: June 28 – July 3 - A last 32 knockout stage hasn’t been at a World Cup before. This will see the group winners, runners up and the 8 best-ranked third-place teams battle it out in one-off matches with extra time and penalties on the day. (as all games will from this point on).
• Round of 16: July 4–7 - The last 16 has been a regular round at most World Cups since 1934 and often sees the odd shock.
• Quarterfinals: July 9–11 - The Quarter Finals are where the big teams often show their mettle as we move towards the business end of things. All games now move solely to the USA.
• Semifinals: July 14–15 - The Semifinals are where dreams are made and broken and have seen some awesome matches down the years and some surprise entrants, such as Morocco in 2022.
• Third‑place match: July 18 - This is probably the one World Cup match no one wants to play in, it’s been a tradition since 1934 and the winners at least get a bronze medal to take home.
• Final: July 19 - The 2026 World Cup Winners will win the tournament in this last match on 19th July in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Any repeat of the epic final we saw in 2022 would be a real treat.

World Cup Qualification Groups

With 48 spots up for grabs every nation started with a better chance than ever to have a chance to gain a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Asia (AFC)- There was a series of knockout matches and groups, followed by 3 groups of 6 with the top 2 qualifying direct. The 3rd and 4th sides in each went to a further round robin of 2 groups of 3, with the top team in each going through directly and the runners up playing each other for a spot in the intercontinental playoffs.
• Africa (CAF) - The 1st round saw 9 groups of 6 with all the winners qualifying. 4 runners up went into semis and a final for an intercontinental playoff place.
• North & Central America (CONCACAF) - After some knockout rounds, 12 teams went into 3 groups of 4. The group winners went through direct with the 2 best placed 2nd placed teams heading to the intercontinental playoffs.
• South America (CONMEBOL) - With only 10 member nations a home and away league was played by all, with the top 6 going through and the 7th placed side heading to the playoffs.
• Oceania (OFC) - After the 4 lowest ranked teams had played each other to fill a final spot, the remaining eight sides played in 2 groups of 4. The top 2 in each went into a semi-final and final, with the winners progressing to the finals and the runners-up heading to the global playoffs.
• Europe (UEFA) - With no intercontinental playoff spot, all 55 members entered a group stage of 12 groups. Every group winner qualifies for the World Cup directly. The runners-up head to the European playoffs, joined by 4 teams based on their Nations League ranking. 4 teams from these 16 will also qualify for the finals.

Teams to watch in the tournament: The most interesting teams at the tournament

The joy of the World Cup is seeing new names become national legends, and watching the best players in the world at the same time. The teams listed below are the ones that we feel you should keep an eye out for and will cover both those bases.

European Past Winners - France, Spain, Germany, England

It takes a lot to win a World Cup and the sides here have done it before. They all have the squad size and past experience to perform well at the World Cup 2026. France just missed out four years ago but are widely tipped to do one better here. Spain are the bookmakers favourites. The English had a perfect qualifying campaign and got to the last 2 semi-finals can they go one better with a new coach? It’s often said you can never write off the Germans. While they have been awful in the last couple of championships, they still remain a footballing powerhouse.

Italy may join them but are currently facing 2 nervy playoff games to do so.

South American Past Winners- Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay

The heat could well make a difference and the South American sides will certainly be better equipped to cope with this than their European rivals in the main. Argentina are the holders and while Messi might not still be the guiding light he was they still have a great squad. Brazil are due a good World Cup and have talent across the team. Uruguay are more of a historical powerhouse but they did come close back in a hot South Africa in 2010, and are always hyper competitive so keep an eye on them.

The Hosts - Mexico, USA & Canada

Mexico are football mad and this is their 3rd time hosting a World Cup. They have never gone better than the Quarter Finals, but they will be desperate to make an impact on home turf and will play every game up until that stage in Mexico. The United States finished 3rd back in 1930 but has made little impact since then, even when hosting in 1998. They now have a blossoming national league, the MLS, and will field a strong squad. Canada looked fantastic in 2022 but couldn’t get a break in their matches and will look to show the same attacking intent with better results this time.

Can They Go One Better? Croatia & the Netherlands

Both these teams have played in the biggest game in world football and lost. For the Netherlands it has been three times the bridesmaid, most recently in 2010. They have a solid squad this year and are always well followed by home fans and neutrals at World Cups. The Croats have got to the semi-finals 3 times in beaten twice in 1998 and 2022, and losing in the 2018 final to France. They qualified with ease and will be a danger to anyone they face.

(The Czech Republic, Sweden and Hungary are the only other 3 sides who have lost a final without lifting the trophy. The Czechs and Swedes are in the UEFA playoffs but Hungary were eliminated in the group stage.)

The Dark Horses - Belgium, Portugal  & Morocco

All these sides have made the semi-finals in recent editions and while they have never played in a World Cup Final could yet create history with squads packed full of talent. Morocco were the surprise package in Qatar 2022 and will like the heat. The Belgians have formerly been ranked number one in the world without producing a big cup win and will try again here. Portugal will likely still have Cristiano Ronaldo playing for them (his 6th tournament) and the country have won the UEFA Nations League and Euros so this would complete the trophy cabinet.

Making Their Debut - Jordan, Uzbekistan, Curaçao  & Cape Verde

It’s not all about the biggest teams at the World Cup. It’s often the countries making their first apperance that are the most fun to follow. For this edition, we have 4 confirmed debutants; (however Suriname or New Caledonia could yet join them via the intercontinental playoffs.) Uzbekistan have just missed out in a few previous qualification campaigns and has finally booked their place this time. Jordan is an emerging footballing nation that finished runners-up at the 2023 Asian Cup and could yet make a splash on the big stage. Cape Verde Islands shocked World Cup regulars Cameroon in their qualification group and will relish their first-ever chance to play at a World Cup. Cuaraco is an island familiar to gamblers as many offshore licences come from the region, and they edged out Jamaica in a close group to book their flights to the party.

Best of The Rest

The colours of the World Cup will never be on show more as teams from every continent battle it out to be the best. Japan and South Korea are always exciting to watch and have performed well in previous editions. Colombia bring colour and an attacking flair. Paraguay may have lost their free kick taking keeper, but are still usually tough to beat. The African sides bring plenty of overseas talent and Egypt, Algeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast are always well supported. It will be interesting to see how Qatar get on having qualified in their own right this time around and will want to make amends for a poor showing at home in 2022. Haiti make their first appearance since 1974 and Scotland return for the first time since 1998. The Scots beat Denmark 4-2 to top a tough group and their fans the Tartan Army will be in North America in large numbers.

Interesting Records and Facts Regarding World Cup Tournaments

There have been 22 World Cup Final Tournaments since the first one was held in Uruguay back in 1930. Only eight nations have lifted the famous trophy - Brazil (5), Germany & Italy (4), Argentina (3), France & Uruguay (2) and England and Spain (1). Below, I have listed some other interesting facts from those past competitions.

• Most World Cup Final Appearances Team – Brazil (22)
• Most times failed to Qualify – Luxembourg (23)
• Longest Gap Between Qualifying – Wales – 64 Years (1958–2022)
• Most Goals scored in a single tournament – Hungary, 27 – 1954
• Longest Gap Between Titles – Italy – 48 years (1938–1982)
• Most Games Won All Time Team – Brazil (114)
• Most Matches Played – Lionel Messi, 26 (5 Tournaments)
• Most Goals Scored in Matches – Miroslav Klose, 16 (4 Tournaments)
• Most Tournaments Won – Pelé, 3 (1958, 1962, 1970)
• Most Goals in a Match – Oleg Salenko (5) — Russia 6–1 Cameroon, 1990
• Most Finals scored in – Cristiano Ronaldo, 5 (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
• Biggest ever win – Hungary 10–1 El Salvador – Group Stage, 1982
• Highest Scoring Game – Austria 7–5 Switzerland – Quarter Final, 1954
• Highest Attendance – 173,850 – Brazil 1–2 Uruguay – World Cup Final, 1950

Where to watch WC26?

coverage due to the high interest in the event. It’s also worth checking betting sites and online streaming services as many of these will also have coverage. You can find full text commentary on FIFA’s official site of every game and there will be widespread radio commentary as well

There are more national broadcasters yet to be confirmed so keep viewing local schedules.

WC26 Odds

All the way through the FIFA World Cup 2026, we will be keeping you up to date wth all the best odds from the best online bookmakers. Virtually every single sportsbook will be offering odds on markets on every World Cup match, and with 104 of them this time around, it’s important you do your research! Getting the best value odds is much like getting the best prices for goods and services, except with odds, the higher the better, rather than lower! Do your research and use offers and promotions to boost your bankroll during the action.

The link below will keep you up to date with all the odds.

2026 Football World Cup Odds

Betting on WC26

It’s not just the odds that make you potential profits; however, it’s research and hard knowledge to make the right picks. That could be involve backing the match favourite with the right handicap, finding the shock of the round, picking the golden boot winner or the outright tournament champion.

We will have you well looked after in this regard as well, supplying ongoing predictions, offers and betting tips for you to utilise as the tournament continues through its extended 39-day run.

The link below will take you to these pages;

2026 Football World Cup Betting Sites