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Best of Brakfast Episode 174 Yana Bolder
Football’s biggest tournament is here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be unlike any that has come before it, with more teams, more matches and more host cities than ever before.
For fans across the UK, it means another month of late nights, dramatic penalties, shock results and wall-to-wall football.
Here’s your guide to what makes the 2026 World Cup so special.
A Historic First
For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament is being hosted by three countries:
United States
Canada
Mexico
A total of 16 cities across North America will stage matches, making this the largest World Cup ever held geographically.
The tournament begins on 11 June and concludes with the final on 19 July.
The Biggest World Cup Ever
The 2026 tournament marks the biggest expansion in World Cup history.
For the first time:
48 nations will compete
104 matches will be played
More than 1,200 players are involved
Previous tournaments featured 32 teams and 64 matches, so fans can expect far more football over the course of the competition.
The New Format
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four.
The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stages, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
This creates a Round of 32 before the tournament progresses to the traditional knockout rounds.
The expanded format means more nations get the chance to compete on football’s biggest stage while maintaining the drama of the knockout rounds.
The Host Cities
Matches are being played across 16 host cities.
Canada
Toronto
Vancouver
Mexico
Mexico City
Guadalajara
Monterrey
United States
Atlanta
Boston
Dallas
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Miami
New York/New Jersey
Philadelphia
San Francisco Bay Area
Seattle
The opening match takes place in Mexico City, while the final will be staged in New York/New Jersey.
Can England Win It?
For England fans, that’s always the big question.
The squad contains a wealth of talent and enters the tournament among the leading contenders. England qualified comfortably and will hope to go one step further after recent strong performances at major tournaments.
The challenge, as always, will be navigating a long tournament against some of the world’s strongest footballing nations.
The Main Contenders
Argentina
The defending champions arrive looking to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.
France
Consistently among the world’s strongest sides and packed with world-class talent.
Spain
One of Europe’s most technically gifted teams and among the favourites.
Brazil
Five-time world champions who are always expected to challenge.
Germany
Never a team to underestimate at major tournaments.
England
Hoping that 60 years of hurt might finally come to an end.
Players To Watch
Several of the game’s biggest names are expected to feature, including:
Jude Bellingham
Kylian Mbappé
Erling Haaland
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
For Messi and Ronaldo, this could potentially be their final World Cup appearance, adding extra significance to the tournament.
What Will Make This World Cup Different?
The scale.
With matches spread across an entire continent and a record number of teams participating, this World Cup will feel bigger than any before it.
The North American hosts are expecting millions of travelling supporters, creating one of the largest sporting events ever staged.
For UK fans, it also means a packed summer schedule with football almost every day for more than five weeks.
Why The World Cup Still Matters
Every four years, the World Cup delivers moments that become part of sporting history.
Giant-killings.
Last-minute winners.
Penalty shoot-outs.
Unexpected heroes.
Whether you’re a lifelong football fan or someone who only watches international tournaments, the World Cup has a unique ability to bring people together.
And with more teams, more matches and more nations represented than ever before, 2026 promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet.
The Big Question
Who do you think will lift the World Cup trophy on 19 July?
England?
Argentina?
France?
Brazil?
Or could there be a surprise winner?
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