FIFA President Infantino looks toward 2026 World Cup on one-year countdown

Wednesday marked the one-year countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the first edition of the expanded format that will be held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Taking place across three countries and 16 vibrant host cities with a newly expanded pool of 48 teams, the tournament will be the largest and most inclusive edition in history.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to welcome 6.5 million fans to stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States, truly uniting the continent and globe together through football.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confidently predicted that "the impact of this tournament will be profound and long-lasting."

"The impact of this tournament will be profound and long-lasting. A FIFA World Cup always inspires young people - but in 2026, we're going even further by creating real pathways for the next generation. The scale of investment and visibility will accelerate grassroots programs, boost infrastructure, and inspire young players to dream bigger," said Infantino.

"Our aim is not just to organize the tournament, it's to give something meaningful to every host city and every community. It's to make this World Cup eternal in the lives that it touches. When a child in Vancouver, or Guadalajara, or Atlanta chooses to kick a ball because of what they saw in 2026, that's the true legacy. That's when football, or soccer, wins," he added.