Sharmistha Yadav, Toronto - The 2026 FIFA world cup is set to become the largest edition of the tournament in history, featuring 104 matches and an expanded field of 48 national teams. The competition will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, making it the first world cup to be staged across three countries. FIFA has described the tournament as a landmark event aimed at increasing global participation and global fan engagement.

The expansion from 32 to 48 teams will allow more nations to qualify for football's biggest event. The tournament will also see a significant increase in the number of matches, rising from 64 in previous editions to 104. Organisers believe the new format will provide greater opportunities for emerging football nations while enhancing the overall scale of the competition.

Preparations are underway across all three host nations as stadiums, transport systems and fan facilities are being readied for the event. With millions of supporters expected to attend and billions more watching worldwide, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to set new records for expected attendance, viewership and commercial impact, further cementing its status as the world's premier sporting event.