The 2026 World Cup kicks off today!
The men's 2026 tournament is being held across North America, in Canada, the USA and Mexico.
The anticipation, the sweepstakes with friends, the preparing your lucky football shirt comes down this: The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts today!
The opening ceremony will take place at the Mexico City Stadium, followed by the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
This is the biggest ever World Cup with 48 teams and 104 matches for us to enjoy, from today (Thursday June 11th) until the final on Sunday July 19th.
For the group stages the teams are split into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group going through to the knock-out phase. The eight best third placed teams will also qualify for the knock-out phase.
To reach the final teams will have had to play eight matches rather than the normal seven.
This years men's tournament will see England and Scotland compete, with Northern Ireland, missing out after losing to Italy in their play-off, and Wales also missing out as they went out to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties.
Where is the 2026 World Cup being played?
North America. Matches are being held across The USA, Mexico and Canada, across 16 host cities.
Mexico (Previous hosts of the 1970 and 1986 World Cups and Quarter Finalists in 1970 and 1986) have three cities hosting games. Canada who are hosting a World Cup for the first time, and who have never made it past the Group Stages, have two host cities.
The USA, who previously hosted the 1994 World Cup and came third in the 1930 tournament have 11 cities hosting games.
Now, what you really want to know, who are the mascots?! Well the three host countries all have a different mascot each. Mexico have striker Zayu the Jaguar, the USA have midfielder Clutch the Bald Eagle and Canada, goalie Maple the Moose.
What are England's chances in the World Cup?
England are in Group L and will need to face down Croatia, Ghana and Panama if they are to make it through to the knock-out stages of the competition.
England are among the favourites to win (not that that means much!). The stats from Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain’s global markets shows Spain are the favourites to win the World Cup, as the most-backed team overall, followed by France, while England and Portugal are level at third.
What are Scotland's chances in the World Cup?
Scotland are in Group C and will play Morocco, Haiti and (no pressure) Brazil, who are the country with the most successful World Cup wins.
Brazil have picked up the trophy five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.
Scots are not that optimistic about their chances of lifting the World Cup trophy this year.
Some 9% of all bets placed in Scotland are backing the team, with the odds of them winning at 300/1.
Here's what fans said to us about their chances in the competition:
When do Scotland and England play in the World cup?
With the tournament in America, the time difference means games late at night:
ENGLAND FIXTURES
- Wed 17th June 21:00 England v Croatia ITV (Dallas)
- Tue 23rd June 21:00 England v Ghana BBC (Boston)
- Sat 27th June 22:00 Panama vs England ITV (New Jersey)
SCOTLAND FIXTURES
- Sun 14th June 02:00 Haiti vs Scotland BBC (Boston)
- Fri 19th June 23:00 Scotland vs Morocco ITV 1/STV (Boston)
- Wed 24th June 23:00 Scotland vs Brazil BBC (Miami)
New manager has high hopes
This is Thomas Tuchel's first tournament in charge of England after taking over from Gareth Southgate as England manager.
Under Gareth Southgate they have reached the last-four stage, but England are still looking to end 60 years of hurt in North America.
The former manager wouldn't be drawn on advice for the new boss when we spoke to him recently:
Thomas Tuchel says England are ready to take the next step in their World Cup preparations as the back-to-back European Championship finalists have been gearing up for the tournament since arriving in hot and humid Florida last Monday.