The 2026 World Cup is less than a year away, Canada, Mexico and the United States are the host countries for the 23^rd edition of what will be the biggest World Cup tournament ever. The World Cup has been expanded so there will now be 48 countries competing over 104 matches for football’s biggest prize. Argentina are the defending champions from 2022, winning a stunning final against France on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Spreadex Sports is previewing the tournament will all the key info, and latest World Cup betting odds.

Bet on the 2026 World Cup here.

2026 FIFA World Cup Key Dates

When is the FIFA World Cup draw?

The draw will take place on December 5^th 2025, in Washington.

When does the FIFA World Cup Start?

The tournament will kick off in Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday 11^th June 2026. Host’s Mexico are currently waiting to find out who they will face in the opening fixture.

When is the FIFA World Cup Final?

The tournament will conclude on Sunday 19^th July 2026 in New York at the New Jersey Stadium where a winner will be crowned World Champions.

Tournament Overview

Where will the 2026 World Cup be played?

The tournament will be played across 16 cities between Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Canada

• Toronto Stadium. 45,736 capacity.
• BC Place Vancouver. 54,000 capacity.

Mexico

• Estadio Azteca Mexico City. 87,523 capacity.
• Estadio Monterrey. 53,460 capacity.
• Estadio Guadalajara.48,071 capacity.

United States

• Dallas Stadium. 92,697 capacity.
• New York New Jersey Stadium. 87,157 capacity.
• Atlanta Stadium. 75,000 capacity.
• Kansas City Stadium. 76,640 capacity.
• Houston Stadium. 72,220 capacity.
• San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. 70,909 capacity.
• Los Angeles Stadium. 70,240 capacity.
• Philadelphia Stadium. 69,000 capacity.
• Seattle Stadium. 69,328 capacity.
• Boston Stadium. 70,000 capacity.
• Miami Stadium. 67,518 capacity.

What is the format for the 2026 World Cup?

As mentioned, the tournament has been expanded from 32 teams to 48 teams. There will now be 12 groups of 4. With the group winners and runners up joined by the eight best 3^rd placed teams in a new knockout round of 32.

Which teams will be competing at the 2026 World Cup?

World Cup qualifying is well underway with each of the world’s confederations having their own qualifying process. The breakdown of how many teams qualify from each confederation is:

South America (CONMEBOL)

• Six teams automatically qualify with a seventh team entering an inter-confederation playoffs in March

Africa (CAF)

• Nine team automatically qualify with a tenth team entering the inter-confederation playoffs in March.

Europe (UEFA)

• Twelve teams automatically qualify for the World Cup. With a further four teams qualifying after a UEFA playoffs, that consists of twelve nations. 

North America, Central America, Caribbean (Concacaf)

• Usually six teams would automatically qualify, however, three spots have been taken up by the host nations. So for 2026, three teams will automatically qualify, and two qualifying runners up will enter the inter-confederation playoffs.

Asia (AFC)

• Eight teams qualify from this confederation, with one team entering the inter-confederation playoffs.

Oceania (OFC)

• One team qualifies directly from OFC, and then one team enters the inter-confederation playoffs.

What are the World Cup inter-confederation playoffs?

The last chance to qualify for the World Cup is a playoff contested by six countries with two qualifying for the World Cup. 1 team from Africa, Asia, Oceania and South America. Plus 2 from Concacaf (Extra slot due to being host confederation).

The two teams ranked highest in FIFA Rankings will go straight to a final. While the other four teams will compete in semi-finals with the winner moving forward to face one of the two high ranked teams.

Which teams have already qualified for the World Cup?

Lots of the confederations World Cup Qualifying processes have been completed or are nearing the end. So, several teams have now confirmed their place at the 2026 World Cup. No European teams have confirmed their place yet, with qualifying continuing during international breaks in October and November. The qualified teams are list below:

Host Nations

• Canada
• Mexico
• United States

Asia

• Australia
• Iran
• Japan
• Jordan
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan

Oceania

• New Zealand

South America

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Ecuador
• Uruguay
• Colombia
• Paraguay

Africa

• Morocco
• Tunisia

Who are the favourites for the 2026 World Cup?

Spreadex’s World Cup Winner betting market is now live, and the early favourites are listed below:

Spain 4/1

The winners of the 2024 European Championships, Spain are looking like they could be the next great international side. With Lamine Yamal the star, supported by world class players such as Pedri, Rodri and Nico Williams. Spain’s playstyle is free-flowing and attacking, not often seen at international level.

England 13/2

Thomas Tuchel took over as England manager with a sole focus on winning the 2026 World Cup. England have top players and intense competition for spots in the starting line-up, but Tuchel will have to decide who to trust. Question marks remain over whether England can compete against their top international rivals.

France 13/2

France also have a stacked squad, with so many attacking options. Kylian Mbappe’s seems to thrive on the World Cup stage. This will be Didier Deschamps last tournament in charge, and he’s managed to guide France to the final in 2022 as runners up and in 2018 when they became World Champions for a second time.

Brazil 15/2

It seems shocking that it will be 24 years since Brazil won a World Cup when the tournament kicks off in Mexico. The Seleção were last victorious in 2002 and haven’t even reached a final since then. They have turned to a star manager in Carlo Ancelotti in hope he can get the best out of stars like Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo. There is also serious doubt over whether injury riddled Neymar will be able to represent Brazil at a 4^th World Cup.

Argentina 8/1

The defending champions have successfully topped the CONMEBOL qualifying phase. Manager Lionel Scaloni has created a team with a strong togetherness and belief. Lionel Messi has thrown some doubt over his participation, but chances are he will lead Argentina as they look to retain their World Champions crown.

Portugal 12/1

Portugal impressed winning the 2025 UEFA Nations League, defeating Germany in the semi-finals and then Spain on penalties in the final. Roberto Martinez had been under pressure before that tournament win, but now he will be in charge of a strong squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo will be 41 for the tournament start date, remarkably looking for one final shot at the World Cup.

Germany 12/1

Germany hoped the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann would help them return to the level that saw them win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. However, their form has been mixed, they have talents like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz but a weaker overall squad compared to some of the other major nations.

Netherlands 20/1

The Oranje have reached the final of the World Cup three times, however they have finished as the runners-up on each occasion. In 2022 they lost to the eventual winners Argentina in a quarter-final thriller in Qatar. The squad is full of Premier League stars such as Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo.

Italy 25/1

Italy have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, the Azzurri fans are desperate for their team to qualify for 2026. Italy are in a touch qualifying group, currently behind a Norway side that has won every match. The Italian side has a lack of real stars, but they still some of the players who helped them win the Euros recently in impressive style.

Please note that this article is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All odds are quoted correct as of 7th October 4pm. Prices may change in the future.