THE World Cup gets underway TODAY in Canada, USA and Mexico.
Excitement is building with the tournament for the first time.
48 nations are competing for the first ever time Credit: Getty
Things get underway with Mexico taking on South Africa in Mexico City and is the final in New Jersey on July 19.
Five-time winners , reigning champions Argentina, European champions , star-studded and France, who have made the last two finals, are among the favourites.
Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curacao and Cape Verde all make their World Cup debuts.
Iran are currently set to compete despite the ongoing war.
Every nation that has qualified for the World Cup 2026
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
World Cup 2026 schedule and key dates
Group stage: June 11-27
Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarter-finals: July 9-11
Semi-finals: July 14-15
Third-place play-off: July 18
Final: July 19
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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