The biggest football event of the four-year cycle is just around the corner: the FIFA World Cup kicks off in a few days. The tournament promises to be special — for the first time it’s hosted by three countries simultaneously, the number of participants has increased by one and a half times, and among the stars there are many who are most likely stepping onto the World Cup stage for the last time. Let’s break it all down: when it starts, who’s playing, what time the matches are, and where to watch the World Cup in Russia.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup
When Is the 2026 World Cup and Where Will It Be Held
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19 — a full 39 days of top-level football. For the first time in history, the tournament is hosted by three countries: 11 cities in the USA, three in Mexico, and two in Canada, totaling 16 stadiums. Here’s the list of host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
USA (11 cities):
- New York / New Jersey
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco (Santa Clara)
- Seattle
- Boston
- Miami
- Atlanta
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Philadelphia
Mexico (3 cities):
- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
Canada (2 cities):
- Toronto
- Vancouver
The World Cup opening match will take place on June 11 at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, which will thus become the first arena in history to host matches in three World Cups. The World Cup final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium near New York — a venue seating 82,500 spectators. During halftime of the decisive match, by the way, a Super Bowl-style show featuring Coldplay has been promised.
Who’s Participating in the 2026 World Cup and Why Russia Isn’t Playing
The format has grown significantly: instead of the usual 32 teams, 48 national teams will play in the World Cup, with a total of 104 matches. Due to the expansion, a new playoff stage has appeared — the round of 32, which simply didn’t exist before. There will also be debutants: for example, tiny Curaçao has become the smallest country in history to reach the finals.
All countries that will participate in the World Cup
Among the participants are all the heavyweights: Spain, France, England, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, and others. The Russian national team is not participating in the 2026 World Cup, although various rumors circulated: the team remains suspended from international tournaments and did not play in the qualifying cycle. So Russian fans will have to root for one of the favorites or likeable underdogs. Fortunately, there’s a huge selection to choose from.
What Time Do 2026 World Cup Matches Start and Why So Late
Prepare for late-night viewing sessions here. Due to the time difference with North America, 2026 World Cup matches for Russian viewers start late: early games will begin around 8:00–10:00 PM Moscow time, while matches on the US West Coast will be deep into the night, closer to 4:00–6:00 AM. The opening match in Mexico City, for instance, will fall at approximately 10:00 PM Moscow time.
Matches will be held at unusual times due to different time zones
Why will World Cup matches air so late? The organizers spread games across multiple time zones of three countries, and some matches are scheduled for local daytime slots. The reason is practical: daytime slots are convenient for global television and attract the maximum number of viewers worldwide. The downside for North America is the summer heat, which has already drawn criticism regarding midday games. Russian fans will just have to adjust their schedules: the most interesting 2026 World Cup matches will fall in the late evening and nighttime hours.
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup in Russia
Here’s the good news: you can watch the FIFA World Cup in Russia for free. Exclusive rights to all 104 matches were acquired by the federal TV channel Match TV — games will be broadcast on both the main channel and its themed channels (Match! Football and others).
All games will be shown on Match TV, as well as Kinopoisk and OKKO
If you don’t have a TV at hand, broadcasts are available online at matchtv.ru and in the Match TV app, without registration or subscription. The app can be installed on a smartphone, Smart TV, or set-top box.
Important: Match TV isn’t the only option. Tournament matches will also be available via rebroadcasts of the federal signal on online platforms Kinopoisk and Okko, as well as on the websites and apps of major bookmakers (such as Winline) that have rebroadcast rights. So you’ll definitely be able to find a convenient platform to watch the World Cup in Russia.
Who’s the Favorite at the 2026 World Cup and Who to Root For
The World Cup in the USA is the last chance to see the rivalry of two legends at a major tournament
According to bookmakers, the main contenders for the World Cup are Spain and France: their odds are running neck and neck at around 5 to 1. Slightly behind are England, defending world champions Argentina, and Brazil. And then there’s Germany and Portugal! Here’s what the approximate bookmaker odds look like.
| Rank | Team | Odds to Win |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 5.50 |
| 2 | France | 5.80 |
| 3 | England | 7.50 |
| 4 | Brazil | 8.50 |
| 5 | Argentina | 10.00 |
| 6 | Portugal | 10.50 |
| 7 | Germany | 14.00 |
| 8 | Netherlands | 18.00 |
| 9 | Belgium | 26.00 |
| 10 | Norway | 34.00 |
In short, choosing who to root for at the 2026 World Cup isn’t so simple. But if your heart doesn’t lie with the heavyweights, you can always cheer for the underdogs.
