FAQ

For the first time in history, the organization of the biggest football tournament on the planet will be divided into three countries. In total, 16 cities will host matches. Most of them (11) are located in the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle. The Mexican headquarters will be in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. Finally, the Canadian venues are Toronto and Vancouver. 

For the first time, 48 teams will participate in the FIFA World Cup in 2026™. The FIFA Council also unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage format from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place teams from the groups will now progress to the round of 32. Hopefuls will now have to play eight matches from the group stage through to the final, rather than seven.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will see the participation of 48 teams, 16 more than the last seven editions of the tournament since 1998. The division of places by continental confederations has already been defined: 

AFC (Asia): Eight direct spots + one inter-confederation playoff place. 

CAF (Africa): Nine direct spots + one inter-confederation play-off place.  

Concacaf (North and Central America, plus the Caribbean): Six direct spots + two inter-confederation playoff places.  

CONMEBOL (South America): Six direct spots + one inter-confederation play-off place.  

OFC (Oceania): One direct spot + one inter-confederation play-off place.  

UEFA (Europe): 16 direct spots. 

Each continental confederation has the autonomy to define the competition model and the period of their qualifying tournaments. 

The three host countries will automatically qualify for the tournament, thus occupying three of the Concacaf slots. 

Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA  

AFC (Asia): Japan, IR Iran  

CONMEBOL (South America): Argentina  

OFC (Oceania): New Zealand 

To receive information on how to apply for FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets, you can register your interest here.  

Atlanta will be hosting eight (8) matches, including a semifinal. 

6/15/2026: Group Stage  

6/18/2026: Group Stage 

6/21/2026: Group Stage 

6/24/2026: Group Stage 

6/27/2026: Group Stage 

7/01/2026: Round of 32 

7/07/2026: Round of 16 

7/15/2026: Semifinal 

Volunteers will play an essential role in welcoming fans to Atlanta and ensuring each guest has a great experience. Individuals interested in volunteering should register to join the FIFA Volunteer Community at fifa.com/en/volunteers. Those registered in the FIFA Volunteer Community will be notified when volunteer applications for FIFA World Cup 2026 opportunities open in August 2025. 

FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Atlanta will represent a unique opportunity for communities to leverage the passion and excitement of soccer, the world’s most popular sport, to bring people together. Examples of events and initiatives communities can host include watch parties, youth soccer celebrations, soccer-related festivals highlighting local businesses, promotions with local restaurants, and soccer-related educational activities in local schools and youth organizations. Communities are encouraged to identify opportunities that align with overall community goals and leverage already existing resources. Please see the section below on “Public Viewing” for more information on the guidelines and regulations surrounding watch parties.

Public viewing refers to organized gatherings where people watch live FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches together. It is a global framework that falls under FIFA’s Media Partnership Rights program and occurs in every country. FIFA must maintain consistency across all markets while adapting to local nuances and protecting the rights of media partners (FOX, Telemundo). 

Anyone can apply for a public viewing license, including public authorities, local businesses, bars, restaurants, community groups, brands, FIFA commercial partners, media, etc.  

There are three types of public viewing parties: 

Non-Commercial Events: These events do not generate revenue for the organizer. They are typically free to attend and exist purely for community engagement. Examples include screenings in bars, restaurants, hotels (as part of their usual service), and small community gatherings.  
This includes small-scale community-driven events for under 1,000 people, without financial benefit to the organizer. 

• No License
• No Fee

Special Non-Commercial Events: Larger non-commercial events, over 1,000 people, in spaces including but not limited to community centers, parks, schools, and universities.

• No commercial benefits for the organizer.  
• These require FIFA review and a license from the media partner (Fox, Telemundo). 
• License required: The fee for the license is set by the media partner (Fox, Telemundo).
• Fee required
• Technical Cost: The media partner (Fox, Telemundo) sets this cost. 

Commercial Events: Events involving a commercial element such as sponsorships, admission fees, or any other financial benefit. (Ticket sales or entry fees, sponsorship or branding from companies, and any direct or indirect monetization linked to the event.)

• Require FIFA review and a license from the media partner (Fox, Telemundo). 
• License required: The fee for the license is set by the media partner (Fox, Telemundo).
• Fee required
• Technical Cost: The media partner (Fox, Telemundo) sets this cost.  

For more information on public viewing parties, costs, regulations, and responsibilities, please reach out to FIFA at publicviewing@fifa.org.

While Atlanta is sprawling with towering buildings made of glass and steel, it is often referred to as The City in the Forest. Atlanta sits at the intersection of Southern charm, creativity and sophistication. It is easy to fall in love with its world-class attractions, award-winning dining and hidden wonders – and be inspired by the city’s endless possibilities. 

Beyond the city’s core, Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods are packed with personality. Beneath a canopy of trees, Midtown mixes elegance with culture. The Westside has become a magnet for foodies, design enthusiasts, and shoppers. Buckhead blends boutiques and galleries with fabulous dining, while Little Five Points keeps it funky through bohemian grunge paired with eclectic shops and music spots. 

For more information, click here. 

The game of soccer in Atlanta has exploded over the past 10 years. Atlanta United launched as the most successful expansion franchise in the history of MLS since beginning play in 2017. The team holds nearly every attendance record in the league and has won every major trophy in the league (MLS CUP, Campeones Cup, and US Open Cup.) They reached 5 million fans faster than any club in the history of MLS and are routinely ranked among the top 10-15 clubs in soccer attendance globally.  

U.S. Soccer broke ground on the first-ever National Training Center in 2024, which will be the new headquarters for all U.S. Soccer teams, coaches, referees, and players located in Fayette County.  

Atlanta’s stadium hosted two matches of the Conmebol COPA AMERICA tournament, one featuring the defending champions, Argentina, and the other with the U.S. National Team. Atlanta also hosted the opening round of the SheBelieves Cup in the spring of 2024, featuring the U.S. Women’s National Team. Atlanta has also hosted numerous international friendlies in the past 10 years, including the Premier League’s first-ever Summer Series matches in the U.S.

Atlanta began as a railroad terminus, and remains a transportation hub, but with a 21st-century, global approach. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world. Downtown Atlanta is just minutes from the airport by car, shuttle, or train. Atlanta’s mass-transit system, MARTA, has more than 296 rail cars and 38 different station stops. There are three (3) MARTA stops within downtown Atlanta that provide guests access to downtown hotels, venues and Atlanta’s stadium. 

To learn more, click here. 

Envelop yourself in the history and culture that vibrates through Atlanta’s attractions, parks, and museums. Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Relax with a walk along the Atlanta Beltline, a perfect way to explore Atlanta’s in-town neighborhoods. Say hello to more than 1,300 animals representing 200 species at Zoo Atlanta or more than 500 species at Georgia Aquarium. Taste flavors of Coca-Cola from all over the world, explore the world of aroma, check out Coca-Cola advertisements throughout the years, pose for a photo with the beloved Coca-Cola Polar Bear and more at the World of Coca-Cola Museum. Shop for everything from designer labels to only-in-Atlanta boutiques. 

For more information, click here. 

The city’s culinary scene is vibrant with 45 MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, five of which have earned a coveted MICHELIN star. Chef-run restaurants dish up modern American cuisine in strikingly beautiful spaces. Among the cutting-edge eateries are cozy diners, cafés, and bistros. The ethnic mom-and-pop restaurants along Buford Highway offer menus with lots of flavor. Locally owned craft breweries are sprinkled throughout the city, creating an unofficial ale trail for visitors to enjoy. 

Atlanta is home to five professional sports franchises: Atlanta United (MLS), Braves (MLB), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Two Division I NCAA programs are located in Atlanta: Georgia State (Sun Belt Conference) and Georgia Tech (Atlantic Coast Conference). 

As an iconic destination of the South, Georgia welcomes visitors with a wealth of unforgettable sights and experiences that can only be found here. Georgia stands out for how it lives up to expectations – and how it defines them. With big cities and small towns, a diverse population, thriving arts and culture, and a geographical range from the mountains to the beach, there’s much more to Georgia than its famous peaches. This state constantly redefines what it means to be Southern through the places, perspectives, and people that make Georgia unique. 

For more information on where to travel in Georgia, click here.