The USA, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup. It is the first time that three nations have shared the host.
— The challenge will be the logistics around all this. We are talking about a continent, three countries but not three small countries. Three great countries, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
It will also be the first time that the World Cup finals consist of 48 participating nations. Previous editions have had 32.
— The distances, time zones and climate differences are also demanding. In addition, there is high altitude in Mexico and sea level elsewhere. So for us it is important to create the right environment so that the teams and the fans get the best possible conditions, says Infantino.
FIFA’s plan is to organize the World Cup in regional clusters. According to Infantino, this will mean that the national teams will at least play their group stage matches in the same region.
— This means that you don’t have to travel too much, especially not at the beginning. We want to create some clusters, which the teams are divided into based on the draw and then they play their matches in the area in question, says Infantino.
The USA last hosted the WC in 1994, that time Sweden took bronze.