Mark your calendars, soccer fans: The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts in 500 days.
FIFA expects at least 5 million fans to attend World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with at least six billion people worldwide tuning into the action, the soccer governing body said in a news release Monday.
With 48 teams playing in 104 matches, it’s expected to be the biggest World Cup ever. The tournament begins June 11 in Mexico City, and the final will be played July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Following last summer’s Copa America and this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, the World Cup will end a three-year stretch of the United States hosting major soccer tournaments.
Expect President Donald Trump, reigning World Cup champion Lionel Messi and the U.S. men’s national soccer team to be among those playing major roles in driving attention to the sport and the tournament during the next 500 days.
Here’s the state of the sport in the United States before World Cup 2026:
Trump says ‘soccer is going through the roof in America’
President Trump will play a crucial role in elevating the sport of soccer in the United States during his second presidency. His presence alone at Club World Cup games this summer and World Cup games next year would raise awareness to the sport amongst Americans.
‘I will try to be there. If I can, I would,’ Trump said during the FIFA Club World Cup draw in December. ‘Soccer is going through the roof in America, as everybody knows. It’s doing fantastically well.”
Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have a budding friendship, with Trump comically pointing out: “He’s the President, and I’m the President.”
Infantino recently met with Trump in Mar-a-Lago, Fla., before attending Trump’s second inauguration in Washington D.C. last week.
Messi to play in Club World Cup. Will he play in World Cup 2026?
Messi is in the twilight of his career playing for an American team – Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. He is widely regarded as the greatest of all time, and continues to be the biggest draw in the sport.
Messi has not yet declared to play in the next World Cup, but soccer fans all over the world patiently await his decision. He has a busy year ahead, including playing in the Club World Cup this summer.
Messi will be 39 years old when the World Cup begins in June 2026, meaning it could be the last hurrah in Messi’s legendary career.
His presence at both FIFA tournaments in the next two years is instrumental for the sport’s growth in the country.
USMNT in beginning stages of World Cup prep
The USMNT has transitioned to new Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, who faces the massive undertaking of leading the Americans into the World Cup as a host nation.
While American standout Christian Pulisic is a lock for the World Cup team, Pochettino must put together the best roster possible to avoid embarrassment.
The U.S. is far from a World Cup favorite, but advancing to the knockout stage at the World Cup – after failing to do so during Copa America last summer – would be a step in the right direction.
The USMNT will play in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals in Los Angeles in March, and the Concacaf Gold Cup tournament this summer. Gold Cup games will be played in five cities in California, three cities in Texas, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Minneapolis, St. Louis and in Vancouver from June 14-July 6.
What to expect for the 2026 World Cup?
Messi’s potential participation is just one of many major storylines ahead of the next World Cup.
Can Kylian Mbappe and France reach their third straight World Cup final? How will Neymar look alongside Vinícius Júnior, Endrick, Rodrygo and Raphinha with Brazil? Can rising 17-year-old star Lamine Yamal and Spain build on their Olympic and Euro success?
American cities hosting World Cup games include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, Seattle and near the Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. World Cup games will also be played in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
FIFA Club World Cup this summer
The Club World Cup tournament this summer will see 32 of the best soccer clubs around the world compete.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and MLS club Seattle Sounders are among the participants.
Messi and Inter Miami will play the opening game June 14 in Miami. The final is July 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Games will also be played in Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Orlando, Nashville, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington D.C.
How will U.S. stadium security improve after Copa America?
Copa America was Google’s No. 1 trending search topic globally in 2024 due to the security nightmare before the final match between Messi’s Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami last July.
Fans without tickets hopped fences, pushed through gates and trampled people while evading police and security personnel. Viral videos of fans climbing into ventilation systems, and distressing scenes of women and children having trouble breathing and needing medical attention for heat exhaustion were lasting images.
Players from Uruguay also entered the stands to save family members from unruly fans after a semifinal match in Charlotte.
Major League Soccer’s role ahead of World Cup
Major League Soccer continues to make strides, entering its 30th season this year. Messi will be along for the ride for his third season, his presence continually elevating the league on a worldwide scale. San Diego FC begins play as the 30th team in MLS, while Los Angeles Galaxy are the reigning MLS Cup champions.
MLS has celebrated several milestones, including more than 12 million fans in attendance for matches last season, second to only the English Premier League (14.6M). The league is also the fastest growing social media following of any American sports league on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. You can find MLS games on Apple TV.
“Over these next two years, North America will be the epicenter of global soccer. Our league, clubs and players are all committed to working together on this path to 2026,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said in December. ‘We have an unbelievable opportunity to continue this great trajectory and create even more momentum as we continue to grow our sport and league for years to come.”