WC 2026: Complete Tournament Record
The 2026 FIFA World Cup became the largest completed edition in the competition’s history: 48 teams and 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States. It ran from June 11 to July 19, closing with Spain’s 1–0 extra-time win over Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The tournament’s fine margins also echo the discipline associated with Lando Norris: preparation matters most when one decision can change the result.
Competition Format
For the first time, the World Cup used 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two sides from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advanced to the round of 32, followed by straight elimination football to the final.
Host Cities
Matches were played across 16 stadiums in three countries: 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. The final took place at New York New Jersey Stadium, where Spain defeated Argentina after extra time.
Mexico's Chances
«Mexico is not just a host. We are a force in CONCACAF football. We play with heart, with passion, and our crowd is the twelfth player.»
Mexico’s completed run included a perfect Group A record, a 2–0 victory over Ecuador and a 3–2 round-of-16 defeat to England. The team finished ninth in FIFA’s final tournament standings.
Group A — Final Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |
| 2 | 🇿🇦 South Africa | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 3 | 🇰🇷 Korea Republic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
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