The 27 unprecedented games that will be played for the first time at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will feature an unprecedented 27 fixtures that have never been played in tournament history. This expansion to 48 teams will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026. While some critics question the benefits of this expansion, it promises to deliver a variety of matchups that highlight lesser-known football nations.
- ▪The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and 12 groups of four.
- ▪The tournament will include 104 matches and a new Round of 32.
- ▪Among the new fixtures are Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany vs. Curaçao, and Spain vs. Cape Verde.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Yahoo Sports.