The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is now just 9 days away, with teams arriving in North America and the countdown to the biggest tournament in history officially underway.
On Thursday, 11 June, Mexico City Stadium will host the first of a record 104 matches as the first 48-team World Cup kicks off across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. But FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the story won’t be limited to the 16 host cities. _“We will have 25 communities who will be part, an integral part, of the FIFA World Cup because they will be hosting some of the participating teams,”_ he said. From New Tecumseth in Canada to Cancún, Portland, and Boca Raton, towns across North America will welcome squads at their Team Base Camps.
Teams arrive, friendlies begin
Australia and Uzbekistan are already in the US for pre-camps. The Socceroos are training in Sarasota ahead of a Group D clash with co-hosts USA. Debutants Uzbekistan, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, landed in New York and will face Canada in Edmonton and Netherlands in New York before opening vs Colombia in Mexico City. Next arrivals include England, Senegal, Egypt, New Zealand, Scotland, Czechia, and Jordan. Qatar, South Africa, Argentina, and Ecuador will also check into base camps soon.
Football beyond host cities
Warm-up friendlies will spread the action wide. Canada plays Ireland in Montreal on 5 June. Mexico faces Australia in Pasadena this Saturday, then Serbia in Toluca on 4 June. The USA takes on Senegal in Charlotte Sunday and Germany in Chicago on 6 June. Other cities like Auburn, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Orlando, San Diego, and Tampa will host matches before 11 June, bringing world-class football to fans outside official venues.
Tech + community access
Players will be digitally scanned for VAR 3D offside graphics, and 75,000 fans can watch open training sessions through FIFA’s Community Training Session initiative. The _Be Active_ campaign will also run at several camps to encourage youth fitness.
With global leagues pausing, all eyes are now on North America as communities host teams and excitement builds toward the 11 June kickoff through to the 19 July final.