2026 World Cup: Host Cities, Results & Tournament Legacy
The landmark 2026 World Cup brought 48 national teams across 16 host venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the most expansive tournament in football history. Use this host cities map and historical guide to explore the host regions, group standings, and World Cup records.
Planning a visit to these iconic destinations? See our companion guide to the Top Cultural Sights in North America’s World Cup Host Cities..
2026 World Cup Final & Semi-Final Results
FINAL: JULY 19th - Meadowlands Stadium, NJ/NY
SPAIN vs. ARGENTINA — SPAIN won 1-0
Player of the Match & Tournament MVP (Golden Ball): Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (SPAIN)
3rd Place Match: JULY 18th - Miami, Florida
FRANCE vs. ENGLAND — ENGLAND won 6-4
Player of the Match: Harry Kane (ENGLAND)
Semi-Final 2: JULY 15th - Atlanta, Georgia
ENGLAND vs. ARGENTINA — ARGENTINA won 2-1
Player of the Match: Lionel Messi (ARGENTINA)
Semi-Final 1: JULY 14th - Dallas/Arlington, Texas
FRANCE vs. SPAIN — SPAIN won 2-0
Player of the Match: Rodrigo Hernández Cascante (SPAIN)
Top Tournament Placements & Awards
1st Place (Champion): SPAIN
2nd Place (Runner-Up): ARGENTINA
3rd Place: ENGLAND
4th Place: FRANCE
5th Place: BRAZIL
6th Place: MOROCCO
7th Place: BELGIUM
8th Place: SWITZERLAND
GOLDEN BOOT: Kylian Mbappé (FRANCE) — Scored a historic 10 goals.
2026 World Cup Teams, Groups & Advancements
The 2026 World Cup featured 48 teams across 12 groups, playing 104 matches in 16 host cities — the most expansive tournament in World Cup history!
GROUP A
MEXICO - Host Country, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA, CZECHIA
Advanced: MEXICO, SOUTH AFRICA
GROUP B
CANADA - Host Country, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, QATAR, SWITZERLAND
Advanced: CANADA, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA, SWITZERLAND
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: SWITZERLAND
GROUP C
BRAZIL, HAITI, MOROCCO, SCOTLAND
Advanced: BRAZIL, MOROCCO
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: BRAZIL, MOROCCO
GROUP D
UNITED STATES - Host Country, PARAGUAY, AUSTRALIA, TURKIYE
Advanced: UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, PARAGUAY
GROUP E
GERMANY, CURACAO, COTE D'IVORE, ECUADOR
Advanced: GERMANY, COTE D'IVORE, ECUADOR
GROUP F
NETHERLANDS, JAPAN, SWEDEN, TUNISIA
Advanced: NETHERLANDS, JAPAN, SWEDEN
GROUP G
BELGIUM, EGYPT, IRAN, NEW ZEALAND
Advanced: BELGIUM, EGYPT
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: BELGIUM
GROUP H
SPAIN, CAPE VERDE, SAUDI ARABIA, URUGUAY
Advanced: SPAIN, CAPE VERDE
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: SPAIN
Advanced to Semi-Finals: SPAIN
SPAIN WINS 2026 WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
GROUP I
FRANCE, SENEGAL, IRAQ, NORWAY
Advanced: FRANCE, NORWAY, SENEGAL
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: FRANCE, NORWAY
Advanced to Semi-Finals: FRANCE
GROUP J
ARGENTINA, ALGERIA, JORDAN, AUSTRIA
Advanced: ARGENTINA, AUSTRIA, ALGERIA
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: ARGENTINA
Advanced to Semi-Finals: ARGENTINA
GROUP K
PORTUGAL, CONGO DR, UZBEKISTAN, COLOMBIA
Advanced: COLOMBIA, PORTUGAL, CONGO DR
GROUP L
ENGLAND, CROATIA, GHANA, PANAMA
Advanced: ENGLAND, CROATIA, GHANA
Advanced to Quarter-Finals: ENGLAND
Advanced to Semi-Finals: ENGLAND
World Cup History
Countries With the Most World Cup Wins
BRAZIL (5 Times) 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
GERMANY (4) 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014
ITALY (4) 1934, 1938, 1982, 2006
ARGENTINA (3) 1978, 1986 2022
FRANCE (2) 1998, 2018
URUGUAY (2) 1930, 1950
SPAIN (2) 2010, 2026
Brazil is the only country to play in every World Cup. Since 1930, the games have been paused only twice, in 1938 and 1942 because of World War II.
Most Valuable Players in World Cup History
Lionel Messi (2 Times MVP) 2014 & 2022 (this award has been given out since 1982).
Pele, the Brazilian legend has been on the most winning World Cup teams: 1958, 1962 & 1970.
Miroslav Klose of Germany has scored the most goals (16) of any player, and did so in four consecutive tournaments: 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
2026 World Cup Prize Money
Champion Team gets US$50 Million - SPAIN
Runner-up - 2nd Place Team gets US$33 Million - ARGENTINA
Bronze Team - 3rd Place Team gets US$29 Million - ENGLAND
4th Place Team gets US$27 Million - FRANCE
5th thru 8th Place Teams get US$19 Million each: BRAZIL, MOROCCO, BELGIUM & SWITZERLAND.
Every World Cup Winner Since 1930
1930 URUGUAY
1934 ITALY
1938 ITALY
No games played in 1942 and 1946 because of World War II.
1950 URUGUAY
1954 WEST GERMANY
1958 BRAZIL
1962 BRAZIL
1966 ENGLAND
1970 BRAZIL
1974 WEST GERMANY
1978 ARGENTINA
1982 ITALY
1986 ARGENTINA
1990 WEST GERMANY
1994 BRAZIL
1998 FRANCE
2002 BRAZIL
2006 ITALY
2010 SPAIN
2014 GERMANY
2018 FRANCE
2022 ARGENTINA
2026 SPAIN
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