The 2026 World Cup is hurtling towards the knockout stages after 48 nations were split into 12 groups for the first time in the tournament’s long history.
The top two sides in each group qualify for the World Cup’s first ever round of 32, as will the eighth best third-place teams.
There are 104 matches in North America this summer, up by 40 since the Qatar World Cup in 2022, while Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
Here is how the knockout stages are shaping up:
The World Cup began in Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, the site of Diego Maradona’s most famous and infamous goals against England at the 1986 World Cup.
It was also the venue for two classic World Cup finals: Brazil’s win over Italy in 1970 which included Carlos Alberto’s iconic team goal to cap a 4-1 win; and Argentina’s 3-2 win over West Germany in 1986, where Jorge Burruchaga grabbed an 84th-minute winner.
Mexico and Canada will host 13 games in each, and the United States will host 78.
From the quarter-finals onwards, the US will host all of the remaining matches, with the final in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Who will win the World Cup?
Football’s biggest question is back – and the debate is already heating up. England’s new golden generation, Argentina’s defending champions, France’s relentless depth and Spain’s evolving young side all have strong claims to glory at the World Cup.
Now it’s your turn: who do you think will lift the trophy?
