FIFA World Cup 2026 news: Latest updates

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 when Mexico host South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching the first 48-team tournament in football history. The final takes place July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with the United States, Canada and Mexico sharing hosting duties.

The expanded format features 12 groups of four teams. The top two from each group advance alongside the eight best third-placed sides, creating a 32-team knockout bracket beginning with a new round of 32. This structure offers more nations a realistic path beyond the group stage.

France top the latest FIFA World Rankings, overtaking Spain who sit second, with reigning champions Argentina in third. The rankings reflect recent international fixtures and will influence seeding expectations heading into the tournament.

Team preparations continue amid injury concerns. Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike is ruled out for France after suffering a suspected Achilles rupture in Champions League action. Tottenham defender Cristian Romero will miss Argentina's final Premier League matches with a knee issue but is expected to recover for the World Cup. Japan have appointed Celtic legend Shunsuke Nakamura to their coaching staff, adding tactical expertise for their North American campaign.

Several nations celebrate historic qualification. Bosnia and Herzegovina secured their second World Cup appearance after eliminating Italy in a penalty shootout, while Sweden, Turkey and the Czech Republic also booked their tickets through dramatic play-off victories. Italy become the only top-15 ranked nation to miss the tournament, failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on Phil Foden's selection following inconsistent performances, while Brazil assistant Davide Ancelotti confirmed Neymar remains in contention despite limited recent international action. Host nation Canada have launched fan engagement initiatives targeting local communities, including Toronto's Italian diaspora.

Group stage matchups promise compelling narratives. Group A features hosts Mexico alongside South Africa, South Korea and Czech Republic. Group L sees England drawn with Croatia, Ghana and Panama. The United States open their campaign against Paraguay in Group D, while defending champions Argentina begin against Algeria in Group J.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran will participate and play their group matches in the United States as scheduled, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. The tournament's expanded schedule and multi-country logistics present unique challenges for teams and supporters alike.

With warm-up friendlies underway and final squad selections approaching, the global football community prepares for a summer of unprecedented scale and drama in North America.