NEW YORK — FIFA and organizers across the 2026 World Cup's three host nations intensified preparations for the tournament's closing stages as the competition entered its final week, with attention focused on hosting the semifinals and the July 19 final while planning continued for fan operations, security and transport.
The United States, Canada and Mexico have jointly staged the first 48-team men's World Cup, with matches spread across 16 host cities. The expanded tournament introduced 104 matches and an additional knockout round, increasing operational demands on host venues and local authorities.
The semifinal lineup was completed over the weekend, with England advancing to face defending champion Argentina, while France and Spain will contest the other semifinal, according to FIFA and official match results. The final is scheduled to be played at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.
Tournament organizers have said preparations for the latter rounds include coordinated transport planning, crowd management and security measures around stadiums and fan festival sites. Host cities have continued to work with FIFA, local governments and public safety agencies to accommodate increased visitor numbers as the competition reaches its conclusion.
Canada concluded its schedule of World Cup matches earlier in July after Vancouver hosted its final fixture of the tournament. FIFA said fan festival activities in the city would continue through the final weekend, allowing supporters to follow the remaining matches despite no further games being staged there.
The 2026 edition is the first men's World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries and the first to feature 48 national teams. FIFA has described the tournament as the largest in the competition's history, with expanded logistics involving multiple international borders, team base camps and transportation networks across North America.
As the tournament nears its conclusion, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the governing body would examine a proposal to expand the men's World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, while describing the inaugural 48-team format as a success. Any change would require further consideration by FIFA and has not been approved.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to conclude with the championship match on July 19 in New York New Jersey, bringing to a close the first edition of the tournament jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
