The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off six months from Thursday. Here's a deep dive into how the tournament could shape up and the top teams to watch.

Trump's U.S. travel ban injects politics into sports ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here's why Haiti, Iran fans feel slighted.

FIFA says it will include three-minute hydration breaks in every game at next year’s World Cup, not just those played in hot weather.

One short-term rental in the area has raised its price from $500 to $20,000 nightly during the soccer tournament.

From l-r., FIFA President Gianni Infantino takes a selfie with President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

FIFA held a draw to determine who all 48 participating countries in the FIFA World Cup 2026 will face in the group phase of the tournament, which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are co-hosting.

France enters with Kylian Mbappé as the star player, with the 26-year-old just five goals shy of passing Miroslav Klose (16) for the most career goals at the World Cup. France has made 16 previous World Cup appearances and won the title twice, in 1998 and 2018.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will potentially play at least two FIFA World Cup games in the Dallas area next year, fueling hopes among local officials for a bigger economic gain from the global soccer tournament.