Analysis &
Previews

Round of 32. Round of 16. Quarter-finals. Semi-finals. Final. 31 matches, 22 days, one trophy. Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup knockout stage — dates, venues, format, and how it all works.

Japan beat Germany twice, Brazil, and England since 2022. They're ranked 18th. Kubo, Mitoma, and Endo lead the most talented generation in Samurai Blue history. Can they finally break the Round of 16 ceiling?

Semi-finalists in 2022. AFCON winners on home soil. World ranking No.8 — an all-time high. Now under a new coach, Morocco open Group C against Brazil. Can the Atlas Lions write another chapter of history?

Canada play every group match on home soil. Alphonso Davies is back. Jonathan David has 39 international goals. And Group B — Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland — is the most winnable in the tournament for a host nation. Can Les Rouges finally make history?

Saudi Arabia beat Argentina. Senegal beat France. The USA beat England. North Korea beat Italy. Brazil lost 7-1. The five shocks that defined the World Cup — and a warning for 2026.

Cape Verde beat Cameroon to qualify. Curaçao has 150,000 people. Jordan sparked national celebrations. Uzbekistan are coached by Fabio Cannavaro. Four nations make their first-ever World Cup appearance in 2026.

FOX Sports in the US. BBC and ITV free in the UK. SBS free in Australia. Here's the complete country-by-country guide to watching all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mbappé is the favourite at +600. Kane is right behind at +700. Haaland makes his World Cup debut. Messi chases history. The 2026 Golden Boot race is the most compelling in years.

June 11. Estadio Azteca. Mexico vs South Africa. The biggest tournament in football history begins. Here's everything you need to know about the opening ceremony and the first match.

Defending champions. Back-to-back titles on the line. And at the centre of it all, a 38-year-old from Rosario who still hasn't decided if he'll play — but whose presence changes everything.

June 13. MetLife Stadium. Brazil open their World Cup campaign against the team that shocked Portugal in 2022. Vinicius vs Hakimi. Ancelotti vs Africa's finest. The tournament's first great test.

The greatest tournament in football history needs its stars. Here are the 10 players who will define the 2026 World Cup — from legends on their final stage to teenagers ready to announce themselves.

June 17. AT&T Stadium, Arlington. England open their World Cup campaign against the team that broke their hearts in 2018. Kane, Bellingham and Saka face Modrić one last time.

Four World Cup titles. Group stage exits in 2018 and 2022. Now Musiala, Wirtz and a new generation under Nagelsmann are ready to remind the world why Germany are always dangerous.

At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo plays his sixth and final World Cup. 143 international goals. Five Ballon d'Or awards. One trophy missing. Can he finally win it?

Spain are the bookmakers' favourite, the world's top-ranked team, and reigning European champions. At the centre of everything is an 18-year-old who might be the best player on the planet.

The 2022 World Cup final was the greatest match ever played. France lost. Mbappé scored a hat-trick and still went home empty-handed. Can they get revenge in 2026?

Spain lead the odds. France have Mbappé. England are 60 years overdue. Argentina are defending champions. Brazil have Ancelotti. Here's the definitive guide to who can win World Cup 2026.

Brazil haven't won the World Cup since 2002. Now Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of the Seleção for their first shot at glory in North America. Can Vinicius, Raphinha and Estevão finally deliver?

60 years of hurt. A new manager in Thomas Tuchel. Kane, Bellingham, Saka in their prime. England arrive at WC2026 as genuine contenders — but can they finally end the wait?

Norway haven't been at a World Cup since 1998. Now they're back — with Erling Haaland, a perfect qualifying record, and a squad ready to shock the world.

Miroslav Klose holds the record with 16 goals. Ronaldo, Müller, Fontaine, Pelé, Messi, Mbappé — the greatest goalscorers in World Cup history, ranked and explained.

Everything you need to know about buying World Cup 2026 tickets in 2026: official channels, prices from $60, the resale marketplace, and what to avoid.

The USMNT hosts the biggest World Cup in history on home soil. With Pulisic, McKennie and a new era under Pochettino — can they finally make a deep run?

From Uruguay's inaugural triumph in 1930 to Argentina's dramatic penalty shootout victory in 2022 — every World Cup champion, runner-up, and defining moment.

From the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to MetLife Stadium hosting the final — your complete guide to every city and stadium at WC2026.

Everything you need to know about the new World Cup format: how 48 teams compete, who advances from groups, what the Round of 32 is, and the full path to the final.

Norway have Haaland. Morocco have a proven system. Japan have the pressing machine. These are the teams no one should underestimate this summer.

From Mbappé chasing his first World Cup title to Lamine Yamal making his tournament debut — these are the players who will define the summer of 2026.