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FIFA World Cup 2026
The 23rd FIFA Men’s World Cup has begun, bringing focus on FIFA and its World Cup framework. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled with an expanded 48-team format and joint hosting by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| FIFA | FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) is the global governing body for football, and regulates its rules and development worldwide. |
| Founded | FIFA is founded in Paris in 1904. |
| Headquarters | FIFA headquarters is in Zurich, Switzerland. |
| Members | FIFA comprises 211 national associations. |
| India and FIFA | All India Football Federation (AIFF) is officially affiliated with FIFA since 1948, and AIFF never plays a match in the FIFA World Cup. |
| Flagship tournaments | FIFA flagship tournaments comprise the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. |
| First FIFA World Cup | The first FIFA World Cup is held in 1930, hosted by Uruguay, and Uruguay is the winner. |
| Frequency | The FIFA World Cup is held every 4 years, except during WW-II. |
| Expansion (teams) | The FIFA World Cup expands from 13 teams (1930) to 48 teams (2026). |
| Most titles (countries) | FIFA World Cup titles comprise: Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3, defending champions), and France (2). |
| Title retention | Only Italy and Brazil have ever retained the FIFA World Cup trophy. |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 host | The FIFA World Cup 2026 is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and this is the first time jointly hosted by 3 nations; Canada hosts for the first time. |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 format | The FIFA World Cup 2026 format comprises 48 teams, 12 groups of 4, and 104 matches. |
| Player highlight (2026) | Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are expected to make their 6th and final World Cup appearance. |
| FIFA Peace Prize | The FIFA Peace Prize has been established in 2025 to honour individuals taking exceptional actions for peace and unity across the world; the inaugural prize is presented to U.S. President Donald Trump. |
| FIFA World Cup trophy | The FIFA World Cup trophy comprises an 18-carat solid gold prize depicting two human figures holding up the Earth. |
| Trophy custody and replicas | Winning nations now receive only a bronze and gold-plated replica (Winners’ Trophy), and the original solid gold trophy is kept permanently at the FIFA Museum in Zurich, Switzerland. |