The FIFA World Cup is an internationally recognised football tournament organised by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and held every 4 years.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, with matches scheduled between 11th July and 19th July 2026.
Travellers planning to attend World Cup matches in Mexico must apply for the Mexico Tourist Land Card before travelling.
What’s new at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a new experience for fans, with new game formats and more. Let’s have a look.
48-Team Format: A new 48-team format has been added to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, replacing the 32-team format. The tournament will feature 12 groups of four teams.
104 Matches: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest edition ever, featuring 104 games across 16 host cities under a 48-team format.
Three co-host Countries: For the first time in history, three countries will jointly host the FIFA World Cup 2026: Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.A.
What Sets Mexico Apart as the 2026 FIFA World Cup Host
Earlier Successful Hosting Records: Mexico has successfully hosted the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, highlighting the country’s strong and positive approach to organising international football tournaments.
FIFA-Centric Stadiums: The stadiums in Mexico feature world-class infrastructure, facilities, security, seating, and more, satisfying both international footballers and fans.
Bigger Fan Base: Mexico City is the only city in North America with three professional football teams, including Cruz Azul, Club América, and Club UNAM. It leads to a bigger football fan base and a jam-packed football stadium.
Easy Accessibility: Major international airports in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey make it easy for global fans to reach the venue.
Where in Mexico is the FIFA World Cup 2026 being hosted?
Three cities of Mexico have been carefully and strategically chosen for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Below is the listed information, including location, capacity, and matches.
Mexico City Stadium
Location
Stadium
Capacity
Opened
Matches
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City Stadium
83,000
1966
Group Stage Matches-3
A Round of 32 tie
Round of 16 contest
First Stadium to Host Three FIFA World Cups: The Mexico City Stadium holds special significance as the first stadium in history to host 3 FIFA World Cups in 1970, 1986, and now 2026.
Mexico City Stadium Iconic Moments: This stadium has hosted some of the most iconic moments in football, including Pelé lifting the World Cup Trophy in 1970 and Argentina lifting the trophy under the captaincy of Diego Maradona in 1986.
Venue for the FIFA U-17 World Cup: In 2011, the Mexico Stadium hosted the tournament, when a crowd of 98,943 gathered, setting a record.
Estadio Guadalajara
Location
Stadium
Capacity
Opened
Matches
Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Estadio Guadalajara
48,000
2010
Four Group Stage Matches
Eye-Catching Stadium: The Estadio Guadalajara is built on an elevated site and is famous for its coliseum-style design, which draws visitors’ attention.
Historic Football Events: The Estadio Guadalajara is among the main venues for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and also hosted the Pan American Games that year.
Strong Fan Engagement: This place has consistently attracted high attendance and strong fan engagement, which has also been a factor in FIFA's consideration of Estadio Guadalajara for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Estadio Monterrey
Location
Stadium
Capacity
Opened
Matches
Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Estadio Monterrey
53,500
2015
Three Group stage Matches
A Round of 32 tie
Hosted Concacaf W Championship: The stadium also hosted eight games at the 2022 Concacaf W Championship, including the USA’s 1-0 victory over Canada.
Environment-Friendly Designs: The Estadio Monterrey Stadium features environmentally friendly features, including low-voltage equipment and smart energy systems.
LEED Silver Certification: The Estadio Monterrey Stadium became the first stadium in the Americas to earn the silver certification from the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be historic, with more teams, more matches, and three host countries, all happening for the first time in FIFA World Cup history. This edition will be the most inclusive and advanced, with new rivalries.
Above all, it will be a moment of global celebration, uniting fans and creating memories that will last beyond the final whistle.
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Obtain an Tourist Card for Mexico.
Step1: Fill out the online application form by entering your passport information.
Step2: Make the payment online using a credit card.
Step3: Keep an eye on your email for confirmation of payment and the arrival of your Tourist Card, which will be sent to you digitally.
