A New Chapter for the FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to become the largest and most expansive tournament in football history. For the first time, 48 national teams will compete in the World Cup, replacing the traditional 32-team format. The tournament will also feature a record 104 matches and the first tri-nation hosting arrangement in World Cup history jointly hosted Canada, Mexico, and the United States. 

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new competition format. The 48 participating nations have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The expanded structure will result in a total of 104 matches across the group and knockout stages, providing more opportunities for nations to compete on football’s biggest stage.

The tournament will also witness the implementation of several new measures introduced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). These rules are designed to reduce deliberate time-wasting and increase the pace and flow of matches, enhancing the overall viewing experience for fans.

World Cup 2026 will span 39 days, making it one of the longest tournaments in the competition’s history. Matches will be played across 16 host cities located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, significantly increasing the event’s scale and global reach.

Mexico is set to achieve a historic milestone by becoming the first nation ever to host matches in three different FIFA World Cups. The country previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986 and will once again welcome the world in 2026.

For football fans in Bangladesh, most matches will take place between 10:00 PM and 10:00 AM Bangladesh time due to the time difference with North America. As a result, many games will be broadcast during late-night and early-morning hours.

The tournament will officially begin on June 12, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca, officially known as Mexico City Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 AM Bangladesh time.

Following the conclusion of the group stage, the knockout rounds will begin on June 29, featuring the top-performing teams from each group and the best-ranked qualifiers.

The tournament will culminate on July 20 when the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final is held at MetLife Stadium in the United States. The final match is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 PM Bangladesh time, bringing an end to what is expected to be the biggest World Cup ever staged.