A Guide To The FIFA World Cup, For Beginners And Aficionados

BusinessSportsMoneyA Guide To The FIFA World Cup, For Beginners And AficionadosByMichael Lewis,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. U.S. men's national team and soccerFollow AuthorJun 08, 2026, 07:48pm EDTWASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)FIFA via Getty ImagesFor many Americans, the 2026 FIFA World Cup might be difficult to avoid during a 38-day period.It kicks off when Mexico hosts South Africa in Mexico City on June 11 and concludes with the finals in East Rutherford, N.J. on July 19.With that in mind, here is a guide for beginners and aficionados to what many claim to be “The Greatest Show on earth.”Not one, not two, but three hostsFor the first time ever, three countries will host the World Cup - Mexico, Canada and the U.S. - in 16 venues. Eleven U.S. cities will welcome the world. They include Atlanta, Miami, Inglewood, Calif., San Francisco, Seattle, Arlington, Texas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia and East Rutherford, N.J. Three Mexican cities will host - Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey - as will two in Canada - Toronto and Vancouver.Mexico also will become the first country to host or co-host the cup three times, having also done so in 1970 and 1986.The U.S., Mexican and Canadian national teams will play all of their group stage matches in their own country.This is the second World Cup to have multiple hosts. Korea and Japan shared the hosting duties in 2002.MORE FOR YOUForbes10 Players Who Are Expected To Leave Their Mark At The World CupBy Michael Lewis Fans of Curacao react as they watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match between Jamaica and Curacao at the old town Willemstad in Curacao, in the Dutch Caribbean, on November 18, 2025. The tiny Caribbean nation...