The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin, bringing a month of thrilling soccer action to fans worldwide. This year’s tournament is hosted across three North American countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding the competition and excitement.

New Tournament Format

The expanded format divides the teams into 12 groups of four, resulting in a total of 104 matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-place teams. This marks the first-ever round-of-32 in World Cup history, promising more opportunities for thrilling upsets and dramatic finishes.

Interactive Fan Engagement

Fans are invited to participate in the excitement through an interactive graphic that allows them to predict the outcomes of the tournament. By selecting the top two teams from each group and the best third-place finishers, fans can create their own World Cup bracket and share their predictions with friends. This interactive feature adds an engaging layer to the World Cup experience, allowing fans to test their knowledge and intuition about ‘The Beautiful Game.’

With the tournament taking place across North America, local communities in the host cities are gearing up for the influx of international visitors and the global spotlight. The World Cup presents an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural diversity and hospitality of the host nations.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.