This is a very strange development for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But in four short days, the tournament will finally kick off in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. And like it or not, after once again vowing that you’ll boycott FIFA and its questionable ways, you’re going to spend every second of it.
But first, you have to catch up on what you missed. Luckily, we’ve got you covered with seven frequently asked questions about the return of the world’s biggest sporting event.
Who is in the 2026 World Cup?
With 48 teams, the 2026 World Cup is the largest in tournament history, up from 32 teams between 1998 and 2022. All the usual suspects are here. Yes, except Italy. (It’s a long story.) There are also many lesser-known faces and even four newcomers: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
What is the format?
As has been the case since 1986, teams are divided into groups of four and will play three round robin matches. But this time, the next single elimination knockout phase will double to 32 teams. The 12 teams that finish first or second will advance to the bracket, as well as the eight best third-place finishers.
Who will win this thing?
France and Spain are the oddsmakers’ favorites, and England are close behind. In other words, France and Spain have the two best teams, and the sportsbooks know that the British people will bet with their hearts, not their heads. Brazil, Argentina and Portugal followed behind. History shows that Brazil and Argentina have the same values; Germany, the 2014 champion, is the only European country to have won a World Cup held in the Americas.
Does America have a chance?
What do you call “opportunity”? They probably won’t win, but it’s not unreasonable to try. If you think of it like American sports, Team USA was relatively stronger on the field than 1985 Villanova or 2014 UConn during their respective March Madness title games. However the modern NCAA Tournament has been played more than 40 times. This will be only the 12th World Cup played with more than 16 participants, and the 23rd in total.
Who is this Lamine Yamal guy?
FC Barcelona’s 18-year-old Spanish prodigy is the most hyped teenage World Cup talent since a 17-year-old Pele led Brazil to its first World Cup title in 1958. In the 2025-26 season, Yamal scored 16 goals and made 11 assists to help Barca to their 29th La Liga title. He has made 101 career appearances in the Spanish top flight, and will be making his second appearance at a major international tournament after he helped Spain win Euro 2024.
Wait, Messi and Ronaldo are still around?
October 14, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (10) plays against Puerto Rico in the first half at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagne Images Not only are their former rivals in La Liga still competing for their national teams, but they are still performing productively on the international stage despite moving to smaller club leagues such as MLS and the Saudi Pro League. The 38-year-old Messi leads all South American qualifiers with eight goals, while the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal’s qualifying effort with five goals.
Where Should I Watch?
Given FIFA’s…erm, capitalistic…ticket pricing scheme, most casual fans would choose to watch the game at home rather than in person. But there’s good news on this front: Of the 104 World Cup matches, 70 will be available on Fox TV for English speakers, and 92 will be broadcast on Telemundo’s Spanish-language airwaves. So if you’re looking for a reason to buy a digital TV antenna, this is it.
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