{"introduction":"The 2026 FIFA World Cup, officially known as the 23rd FIFA World Cup, will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This edition marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams, expanded from 32, with a total of 104 matches planned across 16 host cities.","format":{"group_stage":"The tournament begins with a group stage consisting of 16 groups of 3 teams each. Each team plays two matches within their group, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. This format reduces the total group stage matches to 48, compared to 48 in the 32-team format but with fewer games per team.","knockout_stage":"The knockout stage includes a round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off, and the final. A total of 56 knockout matches will be played, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey."},"schedule":{"opening_match":"The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, marking the first time a World Cup opener is held in Mexico for the third time.","group_stage_dates":"Group stage matches will be played from June 11 to June 27, 2026, with multiple matches per day across the three host nations.","knockout_dates":"The knockout stage runs from June 29 to July 19, 2026, with the final on July 19."},"host_cities":{"united_states":["Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)","Boston (Gillette Stadium)","Dallas (AT&T Stadium)","Houston (NRG Stadium)","Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)","Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)","Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)","New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)","Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)","San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium)","Seattle (Lumen Field)"],"canada":["Toronto (BMO Field)","Vancouver (BC Place)"],"mexico":["Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)","Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)","Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)"]},"key_matches":{"opening_match":"Mexico vs. [TBD] at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City","final":"July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey","notable_rivalries":"Potential matches include USA vs. Mexico in the group stage or knockout rounds, and Canada vs. USA, reflecting regional rivalries."},"qualification":"A total of 48 teams will qualify, with automatic berths for the three host nations (USA, Canada, Mexico). The remaining 45 spots are determined through continental qualifiers: 6 from CONMEBOL, 6 from AFC, 9 from CAF, 6 from CONCACAF (including hosts), 16 from UEFA, 1 from OFC, and 2 from intercontinental play-offs.","references":["FIFA Official Website","2026 World Cup Bid Book","FIFA Council Decisions on Format"]}