Six countries, three continents: there has never been a World Cup like this
Aug 24, 2026 · 07:35
The next World Cup will be staged across three continents and will also celebrate the tournament's 100th birthday.
World Cup history is full of records, but what makes the next tournament special is not the size of the field - it is the number of host nations.
Three continents, one tournament
Hosting rights were awarded jointly to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, so most matches will be played in Europe and North Africa. The tournament will begin in South America, however, with a handful of opening games staged in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Nothing like this geographical split has happened before.
Why does South America get the opening?
Because the tournament is also a centenary: the first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, and to mark the 100th anniversary FIFA is symbolically taking the competition back to where it began. The Montevideo stadium is called Centenario for a reason.
Will the field stay at 48 - or not?
The field currently stands at 48 teams, and supporters of expansion have already floated a further increase, citing the centenary. The proposal met serious resistance: some confederations argue the tournament would be diluted and the calendar would become unmanageable. The debate shows that expansion will stay on the agenda in the coming years.
What fans should know
More continents means more time zones: kick-off times will be spread across a wider window and preparation will be a serious logistical challenge for the teams. The qualifying system stays as it is, with separate continental competitions and an intercontinental play-off at the end.
