FIFA will hold this Friday (5), at 7pm (Eastern US time), the draw for the groups of Copa of Mundo of 2026, which will feature 48 teams for the first time in history. The ceremony takes place at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, and will define the composition of the 12 groups with four teams each.
Of the 48 places, 42 have already been filled, while 22 countries will be drawn to compete in the repechage in March 2026, which will define the remaining six places. The tournament will be played from June 11th to July 19th in 16 cities in Estados Unidos, Canadá and México.
The event will have the confirmed presence of the president of Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, the president of México, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the prime minister of Canadá, Mark Carney.
Expanded format generates debate on technical level
The expansion from 32 to 48 teams increases the number of games from 64 to 104 and includes a new round of 32 phase. Além of the first and second placed teams in the groups, the eight best third-placed teams also advance.
Experts point to the risk of a drop in the competitive level. Kasey Keller, former goalkeeper for the American team, stated that some teams may face difficulties against more traditional opponents.
- Cable Verde, Curaçao, Jordânia and Uzbequistão debut in the competition
- Curaçao is the least populous nation ever classified, with around 156 thousand inhabitants
- Haiti returns after 52 years; Áustria, Noruega and Escócia return after 28 years
Ticket prices reach record highs
The values practiced by FIFA surpass all previous tournaments. The most expensive ticket costs US$6,730, while hospitality packages reach US$73,200.
The entity has already sold almost 2 million tickets out of a total of more than 6 million available. In 1994, when the USA hosted the Copa with 24 teams, prices ranged from US$25 to US$475.
The American government guaranteed priority visa scheduling for ticket holders. Críticos question the entity’s commercial focus to the detriment of accessibility.
Hot weather worries selections and organization
Most stadiums in the Estados Unidos do not have roofs or temperature control. Apenas four of the 11 American locations have a fixed roof.
During the Mundial of Clubes held this year in the country, six matches were delayed due to extreme heat, totaling more than eight hours of interruption.
Alexi Lalas, former American defender, highlighted that teams drawn for air-conditioned stadiums can gain a significant competitive advantage. The final, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, has a historical average of 29°C at noon.
Ceremony mixes sport and politics
The event will feature performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger. The group Village People will perform “YMCA”, a song associated with Donald Trump.
Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez will lead the ceremony alongside Rio Ferdinand and Samantha Johnson. Ex-athletes such as Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal and Wayne Gretzky will participate in the draw.
FIFA will present its peace prize during the event, probably to the American president. The presence of Trump marks the political tone of the ceremony, unlike the 1994 draw, which featured artists such as James Brown and Stevie Wonder.
Favorites seek historical achievements
Argentina, current champion, is trying for a third consecutive title, something that only Brasil achieved in 1958 and 1962.
Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41 in 2026, will also reach the milestone of six appearances. The champion will need to play eight games to lift the cup, compared to seven in previous editions.
The new format distributes the 48 teams into 12 groups of four, with the first two and the eight best third-place teams advancing directly to the round of 32.
Infrastructure takes advantage of NFL stadiums
Seventy-eight games will be played at 11 NFL stadiums in the Estados Unidos. México and Canadá will receive 13 games each.
MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford (Nova The official game times will be announced on Saturday (6).
