FIFA World Cup 

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Latest news on the FIFA World Cup, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup (World Cup 2026, 2026 WC), the North American World Cup hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup (World Cup 2030, 2030 WC), with results, fixtures, groups, the World Cup draw, qualifying, qualifiers, qualification, tickets, stadiums, squads, injuries, Golden Boot and football (soccer) news from FIFA.

FIFA's World Cup is the men's football tournament played every four years, known as soccer in North America. The 2026 tournament was the first hosted by three nations and the first with 48 teams. Staged from 11 June to 19 July, it spanned 104 matches across 16 cities, with the United States hosting 78 and Canada and Mexico 13 each. It set records for attendance and goals, drawing more than six million spectators.

Spain won the 2026 World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, giving Spain a second title after 2010. Rodri won the Golden Ball, Kylian Mbappé the Golden Boot and Unai Simón the Golden Glove, while England and France also reached the semi-finals.

The tournament also raised challenges. FIFA's dynamic ticket pricing drew criticism from supporters and US lawmakers, with top-category tickets for the final costing thousands of dollars. Visa rules and immigration concerns worried some visiting fans and teams, while heat led to mandatory hydration breaks and a debate over player safety. Saudi Arabia's selection as 2034 host has also prompted scrutiny of workers' rights.

Beyond the matches, the World Cup is a celebration of national identity. Fan festivals and community watch parties in host cities brought together supporters from around the world and local communities. Mexico's Estadio Azteca became the first stadium to stage three World Cup opening matches, after 1970 and 1986. Stories of stars such as Lionel Messi, Mbappé and Rodri, and of fans travelling across three countries, give the tournament its human drama.

The World Cup began in 1930, when hosts Uruguay beat Argentina in the first final. It has been staged every four years since, apart from 1942 and 1946. Brazil leads with five titles, ahead of Germany and Italy with four each. The joint "United 2026" bid beat Morocco in a 2018 vote.

Attention now turns to the 2030 World Cup, hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, the first across three continents, with centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Qualifying campaigns decide who joins the hosts, and qualifiers across every confederation shape the road to qualification. Our NewsNow feed on the FIFA World Cup brings you the latest headlines on results, tickets, squads and the World Cup draw from reliable sources, so you can stay informed from 2026 to 2030.