The FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the most anticipated sporting events in global football, is set to kick off on Thursday across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament will bring together 48 teams for the first time in its history, marking a major expansion in format and global participation. Football fans worldwide, including in India, are preparing for months of high-intensity action as the competition unfolds.
The opening match of the tournament will see hosts Mexico take on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The fixture will be a rematch of sorts between the two nations, who last faced each other during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The group stage will continue until June 27, after which the tournament will transition into a newly introduced Round of 32, adding an extra knockout stage before the traditional Round of 16.
In India, viewers will be able to watch the tournament on television and digital platforms through official broadcast partners. All matches will be telecast live on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD. For online viewers, live streaming will be available on the Zee5 app and website, offering full coverage of every match throughout the tournament.
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The expanded format of the FIFA World Cup 2026 introduces 12 groups of four teams each, labelled from Group A to Group L. Every team will play three matches in the group stage under a round-robin system. The top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the knockout stage, while eight additional third-placed teams will also progress based on points, goal difference, and goals scored.
This new structure results in a 32-team knockout phase, meaning teams must now win an additional elimination match to reach the later stages of the tournament. Matches will be held across 104 fixtures in total, with 78 games hosted in the United States and 13 each in Mexico and Canada. The final is scheduled to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is expected to host a global audience.
The 2026 edition will also feature several new fan-focused innovations, including the introduction of a half-time entertainment show during the final for the first time in World Cup history. With global attention fixed on North America, broadcasters in India and worldwide are gearing up for record viewership as the tournament promises an extended and more competitive format than ever before.
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