The 2026 FIFA World Cup football tournament promises to be an outstanding event hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Three countries host this for the first time and FIFA expanded the format. Now, 48 teams will take part, up from the traditional 32. While some may say this promises a more exclusive and diverse competition, others argue it’s all about the money and, in fact, this will dilute the competition. For the gambling industry, major tournaments like this offer a betting bonanza, so adding more teams and more competition will boost the coffers and offer a more diverse betting market. From a fan perspective, will an expanded tournament deliver what is being promised, or will the realities of expanding the World Cup fall flat after the razzmatazz and confetti?

Tournament dates and venues

The opening match will kick off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and span 39 days. Mexico will host their part of the World Cup in three stadiums, starting the tournament with the first game in Mexico City at the famous Estadio Azteca. Who can ever forget the infamous “Hand of God” goal scored there by the legendary Diego Maradona on June 22, 1986, as Argentina edged England 2-1 in the quarterfinals? Games are to be held across 16 cities until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. A few days after the announcement of the host nations for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments, the FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be unforgettable as teams battle for the ultimate prize in the world’s most prestigious football event.

Here are the venues:

• Estadio Azteca Mexico City – Mexico City (capacity 83,000)
• Estadio Monterrey – Guadalupe (capacity 53,500)
• Estadio Guadalajara – Zapopan (capacity 48,000)
• Toronto Stadium – Toronto (capacity: 45,000)
• BC Place Vancouver – Vancouver (capacity 54,000)
• Dallas Stadium – Arlington, Texas (capacity 94,000)
• New York New Jersey Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (capacity 82,500)
• Atlanta Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia (capacity 75,000)
• Kansas City Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri (73,000)
• Houston Stadium – Houston, Texas (capacity 72,000)
• San Francisco Bay Area Stadium – Santa Clara, California (71,000)
• Los Angeles Stadium – Inglewood, California (70,000)
• Philadelphia Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (69,000)
• Seattle Stadium – Seattle, Washington (capacity 69,000)
• Boston Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts (65,000)
• Miami Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida (capacity 65,000)

Expanded format and schedule

The new format will form twelve groups of four teams each, the top two qualifying, along with the eight best third placed teams. So, after all of this, we will go from the original 48 teams to 32. This will see the number of matches increase from 64 to 104 with the new format. Although this expanded format will give punters more fixtures to wager on, the extended schedule is a dream for bookmakers and bettors alike, especially for those looking for value in underdog teams or prop bets. But a healthy gambling market depends on the top players staying fit. Will the increase in fixtures and competition increase the elite players’ fatigue as they are already stretched thin by packed calendars?

However, this expanded format may pave the way for more underdog stories. Who can forget Croatia’s 2018 journey to the final or Morocco’s stunning run to the semi-finals in 2022? Not to mention other teams enjoying a magic journey to the semi-finals – South Korea and Turkey in 2002, Bulgaria in 1994 led by the legendary Hristo Stoichkov. How about North Korea shocking Italy in 1966 to reach the quarterfinals? The expanded format promises to create another World Cup Classic.

World Cup Qualification and European representation

FIFA has granted Europe 16 slots in the 2026 World Cup. Europe is a powerhouse continent in footballing terms along with South America, so the expansion will include most of the big-hitters and world’s best players. Following the recent relaunch of the FIFA World Club World Cup, it was the turn of Europe’s national teams. On Friday 13 December 2024, the draw for the European qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place in Zurich. Can the heavyweights avoid a fiasco?

Twelve groups of four or five teams take part. Group winners qualify automatically. Runners up enter play-offs to secure the remaining spots and their place in World Cup history. FIFA argues this will ensure a competitive qualifying phase, and while there are no certainties, some groups drawn are tepid at best. No doubt there will be a surprise and at some stage, one of the stronger teams will encounter a problem.

Here are the latest odds for the World Cup 2026:

Notable groupings and matchups

Let’s look at the home nations first. England, under the new German head coach, Thomas Tuchel, finds itself drawn in Group K alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. This promises to be a fiery group. England are heavy favourites to win their group at 4/9 (1.44/-225) and are 7/4 (2.75/+175) to win all of their games. Can England, with a talented young squad including Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham, build on their momentum in major tournaments, or will the best hope be heartbreak in another semi?

Scotland, drawn in Group C, has what looks on paper to be arguably one of the most competitive groups, facing Greece, Belarus, and the loser of the Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League quarter final. Priced at 3/1 (4.0/+300) to win their group or 4/5 (1.8/-125) to qualify, they are fancied to qualify. The Tartan Army will be hopeful of following their outstanding achievement of qualifying for the last two UEFA Euro tournaments by qualifying for their first world cup since 1998, led by talisman Andy Robertson.

Group J sees Wales face off against Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. Wales, under new manager Craig Bellamy, will hope to repeat their feat of 2022 when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years. Second favourites to win the group behind Belgium at 4/1 (5.0/+400), they are 1/2 (1.5/-200) to qualify from this group. Bellamy’s leadership and tenacity could give Wales a solid chance of progressing.

Northern Ireland matches up with the winner of the Germany vs. Italy Nations League match and Slovakia and Luxembourg. Northern Ireland, who qualified for their first major tournament in 30 years at Euro 2016, will be optimistic. Their chances depend on player development, tactical strategy and securing crucial results against higher ranked teams, especially at home. Northern Ireland is priced at 10/1 (11.00/+1000) to win their group, or 11/10 (2.1/+110) to finish in the top two with Germany or Italy odds on to win or qualify from this group. When you take a glance at the rest of the draw, the major footballing nations, such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, should have no trouble. But what about the others? Most of the qualifying groups offer a tough path, but success is not beyond reach.

Group allocations:

• Group A: Winner of Germany vs. Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.
• Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo.
• Group C: Loser of Portugal vs. Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus.
• Group D: Winner of France vs. Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan.
• Group E: Winner of Spain vs. Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria.
• Group F: Winner of Portugal vs. Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia.
• Group G: Loser of Spain vs. Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta.
• Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino.
• Group I: Loser of Germany vs. Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova.
• Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.
• Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra.
• Group L: Loser of France vs. Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar.

Key dates:

• Group Stage Matches: March to November 2025.
• Play-offs: March 26-31, 2026.
• World Cup Tournament: June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Teams in groups of five will begin their qualifying matches in March 2025, while those in groups of four will begin in September 2025. This scheduling accommodates teams taking part in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. It is all about timing and finding their tempo.

As the footballing world builds up anticipation and excitement for the , the expanded format introducing more teams opens the door for more drama, more unexpected heroes, more controversy and maybe one more underdog triumph. The fusion of cultures and the amazing locations promise to showcase football’s appeal. Early betting markets offer significant value for those backing teams early, especially for those eying long shots or underdogs. What chances for Kylian Mbappé or Jude Bellingham to win the golden boot? Or will an under the radar striker steal the show? Each team will arrive with dreams of glory, expectation of a nation and will hope during the tournament to gain momentum.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not just a sporting event; it’s the greatest show on earth. From the historic venues like the Estadio Azteca to the state-of-the-art stadiums in the United States and Canada, the fan experience promises to create lasting legacies on the football’s grandest stage. Remember, while looking at the odds, the World Cup has a habit of delivering the improbable.

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