2026 World Cup Overview: Teams, Format Changes, and Key Players
World Cup primer: Favourites, darkhorses and other stuff to know

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday in North America, featuring 48 teams, a new format, and matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Spain and France are co-favorites, while darkhorses like Norway and Morocco could surprise. Canada aims for its first World Cup win on home soil.
- 01The tournament expands to 48 teams, up from 32, with the top eight third-place teams also advancing to the knockout stage.
- 02Spain and France are currently seen as the top contenders, both with 5/1 odds to win.
- 03Canada, co-hosting the tournament, seeks its first World Cup points after failing to score in previous appearances.
- 04New rules include hydration breaks and revised tiebreaker criteria for group stage standings.
- 05Darkhorses like Norway, Croatia, and Morocco are expected to make an impact, with Norway's Erling Haaland leading the charge.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup, commencing on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, marks a historic event as it features 48 teams competing across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will kick off with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca, followed by South Korea against Czechia. The U.S. will host 78 of the 104 matches, including the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Notably, the tournament introduces a new format allowing the top eight third-place teams to advance to the knockout stage, increasing the total from 16 to 32. Spain and France are currently favored to win, each with around 5/1 odds, while teams like Canada aim to break their World Cup scoring drought on home soil. The Canadian team, under coach Jesse Marsch, is looking for its first points after a poor showing in previous tournaments. Injuries to key players like Alphonso Davies could impact their performance. Additionally, darkhorses such as Norway, Croatia, and Morocco are expected to challenge traditional powerhouses, making this World Cup one of the most anticipated yet.
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The tournament offers a significant boost to local economies in host cities through tourism and infrastructure development.
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