The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to make history as the largest edition of the tournament, featuring a total of 1,248 players in action.<\/p>\n
The global football event will begin on June 12 and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This will also be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, marking a major expansion in the tournament\u2019s format.<\/p>\n
The participating 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups, with each group consisting of four teams. A total of 104 matches will be played throughout the tournament.<\/p>\n
With 1,248 players taking part, the 2026 edition will officially become the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. Among them, 357 players have previously featured in World Cup tournaments, while 891 players will be making their debut on the world stage.<\/p>\n
Football legends Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Guillermo Ochoa are also set to feature in what will be their sixth World Cup appearance.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Cape Verde, Cura\u00e7ao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will participate in the World Cup for the first time in their history.<\/p>\n
The tournament will also feature a wide age range of players, with the youngest being 17 years old and the oldest 43. Additionally, seven players are aged over 40, while 22 players are under the age of 20.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"