New York: The 2026 World Cup is set to introduce significant changes, marking a departure from previous tournaments. In a groundbreaking move, the event will be jointly hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This arrangement follows the precedent set by the 2002 World Cup, which was co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. However, political tensions have risen between the US and its neighbors since the onset of President Donald Trump's second term.
According to Deutsche Welle, the upcoming tournament will feature an expanded roster of 48 teams, up from the previous 32. This expansion results in a total of 104 matches, compared to the 64 played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The tournament will also see the introduction of an extra knockout round, the Round of 32, as part of the new format. The final match is scheduled to take place in New Jersey on July 19, concluding the 39-day event.
The expansion has paved the way for several countries to make their World Cup debuts, including Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Curacao, with a population under 160,000 and ranked 82nd globally, stands out as a notable underdog. Additional teams may join the lineup via qualifying playoffs in March, with North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, and New Caledonia among the contenders.
The geographical spread of the 2026 World Cup venues will present logistical challenges for teams and fans. Distances between host cities, such as the 4,507 kilometers separating Vancouver and Miami, will require extensive travel. The German team, for instance, is expected to cover 2,619 kilometers just for their group-stage matches.
FIFA has announced mandatory hydration breaks for all matches, a first for the tournament. These breaks will occur 22 minutes into each half, regardless of weather conditions, to ensure player safety amid anticipated high temperatures in some host cities.
Political factors may also impact the tournament. Travel bans imposed by Trump on Iran and Haiti could prevent fans from these countries from attending matches in the US. Partial restrictions on Ivory Coast and Senegal have also been enacted, though athletes and essential personnel are exempt. Additionally, Trump has suggested relocating World Cup matches away from Democratic-run cities for security reasons, a proposal that FIFA President Gianni Infantino did not oppose during a recent meeting at the White House.