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FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared the 2026 World Cup will be “the biggest event in the history of humanity,” forecasting unprecedented attendance and viewership figures.The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is poised to surpass all prior sporting events in scale and global reach.
Infantino emphasized the massive impact extending beyond stadium visitors. He stated seven million people are expected to attend matches in person, while an additional 14 to 28 million will travel to the host countries “just to feel the World Cup atmosphere.” He further projected a global television and streaming audience of six billion viewers. To illustrate the magnitude, Infantino likened the event to ”104 Super Bowls in a single month.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will commence on June 11, 2026, and conclude on July 19, 2026. This will be the first time the tournament has been held across three nations and the first time it will feature 48 teams, expanded from the previous 32-team format. The expansion is intended to provide more opportunities for nations to participate and broaden the tournament’s global appeal.
FIFA has hosted the World Cup since 1930, with interruptions during World War II. The event is held every four years and is considered the most prestigious competition in international football. The 2022 tournament in Qatar drew an estimated global audience of five billion viewers.
