The World Cup is coming to America.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026, the world’s premier soccer tournament, returns to the United States for the first time since 1994 – sharing the stage with Canada and Mexico.
Held every four years since 1930 (minus 1942 and 1946), it remains the most-watched sporting event on the planet. Billions tune in as nations from across the globe compete for the ultimate prize.
Only eight nations have been World Cup winners, most recently Argentina in 2022, led by living legend Lionel Messi. Messi is slated to compete and retire after the 2026 tournament, as is Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, giving the US not only a major event but front-row seats to two GOATs on their final run.
If you’re new to how the World Cup works, we break it down in this World Cup Guide.
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How the World Cup Works
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever. Forty-eight nations will compete for the top prize, up from 32 in the previous seven tournaments.
It starts with the Group Stage: 12 groups, each consisting of four teams. Each team will have three matches within their group. A win in the Group Stage is worth 3 points, a draw is worth 1 point, and a loss is worth 0 points. The top two teams in points from each group advance, as do the top eight third-place teams overall.
This makes for 32 teams in the next stage, known as the Last 32 or the knockout stage, as it’s a single-elimination tournament all the way to the final. Think of it like a 32-team March Madness. After the Last 32, you’ll have your “Sweet” round of Last 16, into the “Elite Eight” Quarterfinals, down to the “Final Four” teams in the Semifinals. The winners in the semis face off in the World Cup Final for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Teams that lose in the semis face each other for third place.
There are no ties in the knockout rounds. Any ties after 90 minutes receive 30 minutes of extra time and a penalty shootout to decide who advances.
In all, you’ll have 104 matches, played across 16 host cities (11 in the US, three in Mexico, and two in Canada) between June 11 and July 19, 2026. The final, on July 19, is at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Why the World Cup is the Biggest Event on Earth
There’s the Super Bowl, March Madness, and then the World Cup. For those who religiously follow football and basketball, forgive us, but the World Cup is the biggest event of the three. More people watch the final than the Super Bowl; let that sink in.
Does that change this year? Not likely. With the field expanding to 48 teams, more countries means more chaos – and more underdog stories. The World Cup has had enough shocking moments to give the NCAA tournament a run for its money.
In 1998, Croatia stunned the world by finishing third in its very first appearance. In 2022, Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals, taking down powerhouses Spain and Portugal along the way. And if you run into any England fans during the tournament, feel free to remind them of the USA’s famous 1–0 upset in 1950.
What Makes 2026 Special
Why should you be hype for the 2026 World Cup? Let us count the ways:
- First-ever 48-team World Cup – the most nations in tournament history.
- First time three countries (USA, Canada, Mexico) co-host.
- 104 matches, the most ever. The previous maximum was 64.
- All knockout matches from the quarterfinals to the final will be played in America.
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be on their retirement tour.
- The USA has 11 host cities: New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, and Kansas City.
How Teams Qualify for the World Cup
Let’s get the biggest part out of the way, the USA automatically qualifies along with other host cities, Canada, and Mexico – a rule that’s been in place since 1930.
Outside of being the host, you have to earn it. Every region has a qualification tournament. The regions are Europe (UEFA), South America (CONMEBOL), North & Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (CAF), Asia (AFC), and Oceania (OFC). Most regions use a point system for seeding, such as in the Group Stage. Some regions – such as Europe and Africa – receive more spots than others.
The format expanding to 48 means more countries have a real shot than ever before. Expect to see some first-time or surprise entries this year.
Teams to Watch – and How to Pick Your Side
While most will be rooting for the USA throughout the tournament, the World Cup odds are against them to capture their first golden trophy.
The farthest they’ve placed is third, way back in 1930 – the very first World Cup. Their second-best finish came over 72 years later, when they reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup. Since then, they’ve been slowly improving, advancing to the Round of 16 in three of the last five events, including the last World Cup in Qatar.
The 2026 team may be the most talented ever, with a young, fast squad with athleticism and speed across the board. They’re talented enough to make a run, and perhaps even break through beyond the Round of 16 for the first time in nearly a century.
But talent doesn’t equal triumph. Teams like Germany fizzled in the group stage in the last two tournaments, so the US’s run could end early.
USA World Cup Group Stage Dates:
- USA vs. Paraguay on June 12, 2026.
- USA vs. Australia on June 19, 2026.
- USA vs. Turkey on June 25, 2026
If the unfortunate happens, here are some other squads to root for:
- Messi, widely regarded as the GOAT, is making his final run with Argentina after helping them capture their third title in 2022.
- Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon D’Or Winner, makes his final run with Portugal, his last shot at the golden trophy that has eluded him his whole career.
- France is currently the favorite to be the 2026 champion. They’re a deep squad still stacked after losing in the final to Argentina.
- Brazil’s odds are up there, too. With the most titles in the history of the tournament, they’re always ready with elite talent.
- England, the country that invented modern soccer, has been the New York Knicks of the sport. They haven’t won the title since 1955, but you’ll be swept up into their obsession surrounding their elusive modern title.
- Underdogs such as Morocco, Japan, and Croatia are always fun to watch and have betting value if you catch them while they’re hot. Morocco made the semifinals in 2022, and Croatia shocked the world by reaching the final in 2018.
New to Betting on the World Cup?
If you’ve ever bet on the NFL, you know it can be the Arizona Cardinals vs. the New York Jets; having odds on the game makes it interesting.
Bovada offers World Cup betting on every inch of the event.
World Cup odds include the following:
- Future bets: Outright odds to win the World Cup, reach the knockout stage, or individual awards like Top Goalscorer. These bets stay active regardless of injuries or roster changes (unless the event is canceled).
- Moneyline: Moneyline soccer bets are three-way wagers on Team A, Team B, or Draw. Keep in mind that, in the knockout rounds, if ‘Draw’ is still available, this applies to the final score after regulation (90 minutes plus stoppages). Extra time and shootouts DO NOT count.
- Total: The total score between both teams after 90 minutes of play, including any added injury or stoppage time.
- World Cup props: Props such as anytime goalscorer, first goalscorer, and even Total Cards/Corners (yellow cards, red cards, and corner kicks) are available. Expect hundreds of props on every matchup and scenario.
If you’re new to betting, we suggest you stick to picking a winner, a draw, or place odds on which team you think will win.
FAQ
Q: Are Messi and Ronaldo both playing in 2026?
Yes. Both have indicated 2026 will be their final World Cup. Messi and Ronaldo are expected to take the stage one last time, closing out one of the greatest eras in football history.
Q: What is the FIFA World Cup?
The biggest international soccer tournament in the world. Forty-eight national teams compete every four years for the sport’s most coveted trophy.
Q: How often is the World Cup?
Every four years. The 2026 edition runs from June 11 to July 19.
Q: Where is the 2026 World Cup?
Across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The final is at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
Q: How many teams are in 2026?
48 – the most ever. Previous tournaments had 32.
Q: How does the format work?
12 groups of 4, then a single-elimination knockout bracket from the Last 32 to the Final.
Q: Does the USA qualify automatically?
Yes, as a host nation.
Q: Who are the favorites?
Argentina, France, Brazil, Germany, and England are contenders. Check Bovada for updated odds.
Q: Has the US hosted before?
Yes – 1994. This is its second time hosting.
Q: What is the Last 32?
A new knockout round, Last 32, has been added for 2026 due to expansion.
Q: Who won the last World Cup?
Argentina beat France via a shootout in 2022.
Soccer was already growing in the US, but now its main event is being showcased from sea to shining sea. There’s never been a better time to get swept up in the World Cup, whether you want to ride or die for the USA or you’re just trying to soak in the tournament without checking your time zone.
When you’re ready to step into the betting side of World Cup action, Bovada has everything you need – from match odds to futures and more.