#wc2026
26 2026 FIFA World Cup articles tagged "wc2026" — latest news, analysis and in-depth coverage.
Tickets & TravelFIFA Resale Marketplace Just Reopened: Why the Official Platform Charges 30% in Fees — and Whether You Should Still Use It
The FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace reopened on April 2, 2026 as the only official fan-to-fan resale channel for World Cup 2026 tickets bought through fifa.com. It charges 15% to the buyer plus 15% to the seller — a combined 30% fee, six times the cap of Qatar 2022. Tickets remain digital, are r...
Schedule & FixturesWorld Cup 2026 Matches: The 5 Key Dates Across 104 Games With 35 Days to Go — Which Will You Miss If You Don't Mark Your Calendar Today?
The 2026 World Cup will play 104 matches across 39 days, from June 11 to July 19, in 16 host cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It opens June 11 with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca — the only stadium on the planet to host three World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026). The group...
Schedule & FixturesWorld Cup 2026 Qualifiers Closed: 6 South Americans In, Bolivia Out vs. Iraq — Who Is the Real Favorite With 35 Days to Go?
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers closed on March 31, 2026 with Iraq's 2-1 victory over Bolivia at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara — the final qualifying match of a two-and-a-half-year cycle. Six South American sides are going to the World Cup: Argentina (defending champions), Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia,...
Team Spotlights35 Days to World Cup 2026: Why Moriyasu's Japan Has Entered the "Beat the World" Phase
With the 26-man squad to be announced on May 15, Japan heads to North America with an official goal that, for the first time in history, is not "qualify" but "break the quarterfinal ceiling."
Team SpotlightsWorld Cup 2026: Argentina Defends the Crown in Messi's Last Dance, with All of South America Behind
Argentina arrives as back-to-back champions with Messi confirmed for his final tournament. Brazil rebuilds under Ancelotti, Uruguay's golden generation gets one last shot, and four more South American sides complete the continent's strongest World Cup contingent ever.
Schedule & FixturesThe 48 Are Set: How the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Reshaped the Football World
A two-and-a-half-year qualifying campaign concluded with Iraq earning the final spot. Italy out for the third straight cycle, eight Arab nations in, four debutants confirmed.
![[Tickets & Travel] A Complete Guide to the "Last-Minute Sales Phase": FIFA Official Ticket Purchase + Official Resale Platform Avoidance Guide](/images/news/2026-last-minute-ticket-resale.webp)
Tickets & Travel[Tickets & Travel] A Complete Guide to the "Last-Minute Sales Phase": FIFA Official Ticket Purchase + Official Resale Platform Avoidance Guide
On April 1, 2026, the fourth and final official ticket sales phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ – the "Last-Minute Sales Phase" – officially began. Following this, on April 2, the FIFA official resale/exchange marketplace also reopened.
![[Tickets & Travel] 52 Days Until Opening: Why is FIFA PASS Called a "Visa Fast Track" for Ticket-Holding Fans?](/images/news/fifa-fan-pass-visa-guide.webp)
Tickets & Travel[Tickets & Travel] 52 Days Until Opening: Why is FIFA PASS Called a "Visa Fast Track" for Ticket-Holding Fans?
With only 52 days left until the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ kicks off in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the biggest headache for overseas fans is never just whether they can buy tickets, but rather—even if they do, can they actually get into the American stadium on time?
![[Team Focus] Mexico, the Three-Time Hosts: The "Matchmaking" Behind Their Group A Opening Match Against South Africa](/images/news/mexico-host-group-a.webp)
Team Spotlights[Team Focus] Mexico, the Three-Time Hosts: The "Matchmaking" Behind Their Group A Opening Match Against South Africa
On June 11, 2026, the Estadio Azteca (referred to as the "Mexico City Stadium" during the tournament) in Mexico City will host one of the most unique opening matches in the tournament's history—Mexico vs. South Africa.
![[Team Focus] 38-Year-Old Messi and the Uncertain "Last Tango": Argentina's Road to Retaining the Title, Captain Still Hesitant](/images/news/messi-last-world-cup.webp)
Team Spotlights[Team Focus] 38-Year-Old Messi and the Uncertain "Last Tango": Argentina's Road to Retaining the Title, Captain Still Hesitant
With only 52 days left until the opening of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, whether [Lionel Messi](/en/team/argentina/player/lionel-messi/), the "star player" of the defending champion Argentina team, will appear on the tournament roster remains an officially unanswered question.
![[Schedule] Must-Watch Group Stage Matches: 5 “Blockbuster” Clashes in June—Set Your Alarms Now](/images/news/2026-group-stage-must-watch.webp)
Schedule & Fixtures[Schedule] Must-Watch Group Stage Matches: 5 “Blockbuster” Clashes in June—Set Your Alarms Now
Seventy-two group stage matches may sound like a lot, but there are usually only a handful of “blockbuster clashes” that truly make fans want to set their alarms and spark collective discussions on social media.
Schedule & Fixtures2026 World Cup Schedule: 104 Matches, Jun 11–Jul 19
The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will kick off on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, and conclude on Sunday, July 19th, 2026.
Schedule & Fixtures2026 World Cup Songs: 'Por Ella' Saves 'Lighter'
FIFA ditches the single anthem formula for a multi-artist, multi-language album. Lead single 'Lighter' underwhelms; 'Por Ella' delivers a Latin rescue.
Tickets & Travel52 Days to Go! FIFA World Cup 2026 Last-Minute Sales Phase Now Open
The lottery phase is over. First-come, first-served tickets are live. Official resale platform launches simultaneously — fans' last chance to get in.
PredictionsWorld Cup 2026 Predictions: Favourites, Dark Horses & Group-by-Group Picks
Who wins the 2026 World Cup? Our experts break down the favourites, the dark horses, the group stage outcomes and the most likely path to the final.
Team SpotlightsIs Messi Playing in the World Cup 2026? Everything We Know
At 38 and playing in MLS, [Lionel Messi](/en/team/argentina/player/lionel-messi/) has confirmed this will be his last World Cup — but questions remain about his fitness, role and minutes.
Team SpotlightsEngland at the 2026 World Cup: Fixtures, Squad & Tournament Preview
After decades of near-misses, can Bellingham, Saka and company finally end England's 60-year wait for a major trophy on North American soil?
Team SpotlightsIran and Iraq at the 2026 World Cup: Qualification, Squads & Prospects
Two Middle Eastern football powers with passionate fanbases face the 2026 World Cup with contrasting fortunes. A deep dive into their qualification campaigns, key players and realistic expectations.
QualifiersUEFA European World Cup Qualifiers: Groups, Results & Who's Through
Europe's 54 nations battle for 16 direct spots. Here's the complete guide to groups, standings, and the teams who've already booked their tickets to North America.
QualifiersWorld Cup Qualifiers 2026: Every Confederation's Road to North America
From UEFA's 16-team playoff bracket to CONMEBOL's grueling 18-round marathon — a complete guide to how 48 nations earn their place at the expanded World Cup.
Standings & ResultsWorld Cup 2026 Standings: Group Tables, Tiebreakers & How Rankings Work
48 teams, 12 groups of four — understanding the new group stage format, tiebreaker rules, and how third-placed teams can still advance.
Tickets & TravelWorld Cup 2026 Tickets: Prices, How to Buy & What You Need to Know
FIFA's official ticket portal, price categories, accessibility options, resale rules and scam warnings — everything fans need to secure their seats.
QualifiersWorld Cup Playoffs 2026: Format, Schedule & How the Final Spots Are Decided
After qualifying rounds end, the playoffs decide the last World Cup berths. Here's how the intercontinental and confederation playoffs work.
Schedule & FixturesWorld Cup 2026 Fixtures: Every Match from Group Stage to Final
104 matches, 16 stadiums, three countries — the complete fixture list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with venues, dates and kick-off times.
Schedule & FixturesWorld Cup 2026 Schedule: Dates, Kick-off Times & Full Match Calendar
From the opening match on June 11 to the final on July 19 — every key date, timezone guide, and what to expect from the biggest World Cup in history.
#wc2026Welcome to 2026: The Biggest World Cup Ever
48 teams, 16 cities, 104 matches — what the first tri-nation World Cup means for fans and football.