As three nations get ready to host football’s biggest event, it marks a historic moment; the edition is the largest and most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between France and Argentina drawing over 1.5 billion viewers, this year’s long-awaited competition is set to break global viewing records. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup.
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament is set to kick off on June 11 and run till July 19, totalling 104 matches over 39 days.
Where will the 2026 World Cup be held?
For the first time, the World Cup is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The matches will be held across 16 cities, with the final held on July 19th at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
What is the World Cup theme song?
Every four years, a new theme song is released for the World Cup, setting the tone for the exciting event. Shakira is back with another hit for the 2026 World Cup: “Dai Dai,” featuring Burna Boy. Shakira wrote “Waka Waka” for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and it is widely regarded as the most iconic World Cup theme song.
Along with the release of “Dai Dai,” the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album features a range of music styles, from Afrobeats to Latin Pop. One notable track that garnered a lot of attention online is “Goals” by Lisa, Anitta, and Rema. Together, the three artists bring influences from three different continents, creating a fusion of culture and sound.
What is the newly unveiled 48-team format?
In the past, the World Cup has had 32 teams participate. It has since expanded to include 48 teams, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104. Instead of just having the top 2 teams in each group, the 8 best third-placed teams will advance to a brand-new round of 32. This expansion has led to the FIFA World Cup debut of four nations: Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Jordan.
When and where will the opening ceremony be held?
Since three nations are hosting the World Cup together, there will be three distinct opening ceremonies.
On June 11th, Mexico will hold its opening ceremony in Mexico City, with performances by Tyla, J Balvin, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, and many more.
On June 12th, both Canada and the United States will each hold their respective opening ceremonies. The United States’ lineup will include Katy Perry, Blackpink’s Lisa, Rema, Tyla, Future, and Anitta . Canada’s ceremony will feature performers such as Alessia Cara, Alanis Morissette, and Michael Bublé, just to name a few.
Who’s performing at the World Cup halftime show?
FIFA has been implementing new ideas, and this year, under Chris Martin’s direction, they will stage the first-ever World Cup halftime show featuring international icons Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. This action-packed 11-minute show is set to go down in history!
How can I watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
In Hong Kong, Now TV holds the official rights to broadcast all tournament matches live, and you can purchase a dedicated World Cup Pass to stream them. Selected major matches will be free to watch on Viu TV. This includes the opening game, semi-finals, and the final. Another great way to watch the matches is at sports bars. You can feel the lively atmosphere, have a pint, and take it all in.
Editor
Phoebe KwanCredit
Lead Image: @lalalalisa_m on Instagram
