WC 2026 kicks off on 11 June 2026 and runs until 19 July 2026. For the first time, 48 nations play 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States. This hub pulls the tournament together and links straight to the Napoleon Sports pages that matter most.
WC 2026 at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | 11 June to 19 July 2026 |
| Host countries | Canada, Mexico and the United States |
| Teams | 48 nations, 12 groups of 4 |
| Matches | 104 in total, including 72 group games |
| Final | 19 July 2026 at the New York/New Jersey stadium |
Format and the 104-match calendar
The 2026 edition is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of 4. Group winners and runners-up reach the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. From there, every match is knockout football. The group stage runs from 11 to 27 June, with the final on 19 July.
Need exact times? Open the fixtures or the kick-off times for Belgian viewers.
Three host countries, 16 cities
The tournament spans Canada, Mexico and the United States. Travel distances, time zones and climate affect preparation and match rhythm, which makes host city context useful for bettors.
| Country | Host cities | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle | 78 |
| Mexico | Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey | 13 |
| Canada | Toronto, Vancouver | 13 |
Open the stadiums and venues guide
The 48 qualified teams
The expanded format gives every confederation more representation and makes squad depth more important. The qualified teams page tracks every nation and links to dedicated team guides, including the Belgians at WC 2026.
Schedule, fixtures and where to watch
The fixture list is the best place to start on matchdays. Check Belgian kick-off times, group standings, results and the channels where you can watch the match before opening the live odds board.
Markets, odds and the live board
Napoleon Sports covers the core WC 2026 markets: outright winner, group winner, match winner, draw, over or under goals, both teams to score, player props, MultiBet and in-play markets on selected matches.
Use the betting markets hub to understand each market type, then move to the odds hub for current tournament pages.
Favourites, contenders and predictions
Predictions help you compare squads, form, route difficulty, fatigue and price movement. They are never certainty. Start with the favourites and outright odds, then use the predictions hub for daily previews.
How to bet on WC 2026
Create your account
Pick a market
Stake within your budget
Promos and the Napoleon Sports app
During WC 2026, Napoleon Sports can support the tournament with app-first experiences, matchday missions, odds boosts, 1UP, 2UP, MultiBet and live betting on selected games.
See the WC 2026 promotions overview for the current offer.
