500 days and counting: The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is drawing closer - here's what to expect

Monday marks a key milestone for FIFA and North America, as the highly-anticipated 2026 World Cup is exactly 500 days away - with the event set to kick off at Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.

Next year's World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, and will be the first 48-team edition in the tournament's 95-year history. According to FIFA, more than 5 million fans are expected to attend 104 matches, with an anticipated TV and streaming audience of 6 billion.

With the tournament drawing closer, FIFA will be kicking off events in 2025 at the 16 host cities of the tournament, ranging from promotional events to host city poster unveilings in each location.

The 16 North American host cities include: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver.

During the summer of 2024, FIFA tapped aerial film crews to capture those cities and will be featured in upcoming promos for the tournament. Announcements and promotional events in each city will happen throughout the year.

Qualifying for the expanded tournament is underway across various confederations, with European teams starting on March 21, 2025.

FIFA is hosting another star-studded tournament in 2025, with the Club World Cup kicking off in June in the United States. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams playing in the event.