By Frederick Mordi
The 23rd edition of the men’s FIFA World Cup kicks off today across 16 cities and three countries. It is estimated that nearly six billion people will watch the quadrennial tournament that has already shattered existing World Cup records.
Let’s get the ball rolling with these 26 curated facts about the 2026 FIFA World Cup to warm things up a bit:
- The first time, three nations (the United States, Canada and Mexico) will host the event.
- Mexico is the first country to host/co-host the game three times (1970, 1986, and 2026).
- The United States will be staging the tournament for a second time (hosted 1994 edition).
- Canada will be hosting the men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time.
- The first World Cup that will feature 48 teams. There were 32 teams in previous editions.
- The total number of matches that will be played will increase from 64 to 104.
- It is like having “104 Super Bowls in one month,” says Gianni Infantino, FIFA President.
- This makes the 2026 World Cup arguably the most watched sporting event in history.
- It will last for 39 days (11 June to 19 July), an increase from 32 days in past editions.
- The first tournament that guaranteed all six FIFA confederations (CAF, UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, AFC, and OFC), at least one spot.
- This makes it the first World Cup that truly promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Europe has the highest number of teams (16) at this year’s edition, with Africa (10) ,Asia (8), South America (6), North and Central America/Caribbean (6), and Oceania (2).
- WE ARE 26, the slogan of the 2026 World Cup, speaks to unity in diversity among nations.
- TRIONDA, the official match ball, which means ‘three waves’ (US, Mexico, and Canada), is a game-changer for a FIFA World Cup due to its advanced AI features.
- The 2026 World Cup opened the door of opportunity for smaller countries such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan that are all first-timers.
- Curacao, with a population of less than 160,000, is the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. Iceland (population 395,050) held the record at the 2018 edition.
- Dick Advocaat, Curacao’s coach, is the oldest coach at a World Cup at, wait for it, 78.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (41), the first male player to score at five World Cups, is one of the oldest players in this edition. Hungry for glory, he will try to add more to his tally of eight goals.
- Gilberto Mora (Mexico) is reportedly the youngest player in this edition at 17, according to FIFA. Star boy, Lamine Yamal (Spain), also ranks among the youngest at 18.
- Lionel Messi, with 13 goals, and Kylian Mbappe (12) may beat the current record of 16 held since 2014 by legendary German striker Miroslav Klose, given their current top form.
- Likely to be Messi’s last appearance as he turns 39 on 24 June. Argentina, the defending champion, will be banking on Messi’s magic to lift the trophy a fourth time.
- Azzurri of Italy, who are four-time champions, are the first former champions to miss out on three consecutive World Cups, after suffering a defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria also failed to soar to the World Cup, following a disappointing African qualifiers campaign. Nigeria has now missed two consecutive editions.
- The top-ranked African countries at the 2026 World Cup are Morocco (7) and Senegal (15). Nigeria is still the best-ranked African country (placed fifth in 1994).
- Brazil remains the only country in the world that has participated in all the tournaments with five trophies, the highest so far by any national team, to show for it.
- Only eight nations (Uruguay, Italy, Brazil, England, Germany, Argentina, Spain and France) have won the trophy, sharing 22 titles among them. Will a dark horse win in 2026?
Let the games begin. May the best side win!
