How many teams from each group advance to the knockout stage in the 2026 World Cup?

The top two plus the eight best third-placed teams

World Cup 2026 quiz: the football World Cup

30 questions with answers · Updated 2026-06-02

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Ready for the World Cup 2026 quiz? In the summer of 2026 the football World Cup is hosted by three countries at once – the USA, Canada and Mexico – and it becomes the first tournament with 48 teams. Here we gather questions on the host nations, the stadiums, the favourites and World Cup history, each with an explained answer and a source.

Did you know the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City becomes the first stadium ever to host three different men's World Cups, while the 2026 final is played at MetLife Stadium just outside New York? Warm up with our Premier League quiz or take on the full football quiz before the finals kick off.

We take you from the basics of the tournament to the trickiest details. Want a Swedish angle? Drop into Sweden at the World Cup too.

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Easy World Cup questions to start with

Easy8 questions with answers

A perfect warm-up for 2026 – the basics of the tournament that everyone in the room can handle.

1. How many national teams will play in the 2026 World Cup after the format expansion?
- A. 48
- B. 32
- C. 40
Correct answer: 48
The 2026 World Cup will be the first World Cup with 48 teams, an expansion from the 32-team format used since 1998. (Source)
2. Which three countries are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup?
- A. USA, Canada, and Mexico
- B. USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica
- C. USA, Canada, and Jamaica
Correct answer: USA, Canada, and Mexico
The 2026 World Cup is the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. (Source)
3. How many groups will the 2026 World Cup group stage have?
- A. 12
- B. 8
- C. 16
Correct answer: 12
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. The top two teams in each group, as well as the eight best third-place teams, advance to the knockout stage. (Source)
4. At which stadium will the 2026 World Cup final be played?
- A. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- B. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
- C. AT&T Stadium in Dallas
Correct answer: MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets in the NFL. FIFA markets the venue under the host-city name New York New Jersey Stadium. (Source)
5. Which stadium will be the first to be used in three different men's World Cups?
- A. Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
- B. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- C. Rose Bowl in Pasadena
Correct answer: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was used in 1970 and 1986 and has also been selected as a 2026 venue. (Source)
6. How many Canadian cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
Correct answer: 2
Canada has two host cities: Toronto (BMO Field) and Vancouver (BC Place). (Source)
7. How many Mexican cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 3
- B. 2
- C. 4
Correct answer: 3
Mexico has three host cities: Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). (Source)
8. Which stadium has FIFA designated as the host venue in Vancouver?
- A. BC Place
- B. Rogers Arena
- C. Empire Field
Correct answer: BC Place
BC Place is Vancouver's World Cup venue and is also known from the 2015 Women's World Cup final. (Source)

Host nations and stadiums in 2026

8 questions with answers

The USA, Canada and Mexico share hosting duties – here are the questions on the cities, venues and the setup for the 2026 tournament.

1. Which three countries are co-hosting the 2026 World Cup?
- A. USA, Canada, and Mexico
- B. USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica
- C. USA, Canada, and Jamaica
Correct answer: USA, Canada, and Mexico
The 2026 World Cup is the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. (Source)
2. At which stadium will the 2026 World Cup final be played?
- A. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- B. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
- C. AT&T Stadium in Dallas
Correct answer: MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets in the NFL. FIFA markets the venue under the host-city name New York New Jersey Stadium. (Source)
3. Which stadium will be the first to be used in three different men's World Cups?
- A. Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
- B. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
- C. Rose Bowl in Pasadena
Correct answer: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City was used in 1970 and 1986 and has also been selected as a 2026 venue. (Source)
4. How many matches will be played in total during the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 104
- B. 64
- C. 80
Correct answer: 104
With 48 teams and a new format, a total of 104 matches will be played, compared to 64 in the previous 32-team format. (Source)
5. How many US cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 11
- B. 9
- C. 13
Correct answer: 11
The US has 11 host cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. (Source)
6. How many Canadian cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 2
- B. 3
- C. 4
Correct answer: 2
Canada has two host cities: Toronto (BMO Field) and Vancouver (BC Place). (Source)
7. How many Mexican cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 3
- B. 2
- C. 4
Correct answer: 3
Mexico has three host cities: Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). (Source)
8. Which stadium in the Los Angeles area will be used during the 2026 World Cup?
- A. SoFi Stadium
- B. Rose Bowl
- C. Dodger Stadium
Correct answer: SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (home to the Rams and Chargers) is LA's 2026 World Cup stadium, not the Rose Bowl, which was used in 1994. (Source)

Medium questions on World Cup history

Medium8 questions with answers

Goals, champions and drama from past tournaments – this is where casual viewers and real fans split.

1. How many matches will be played in total during the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 104
- B. 64
- C. 80
Correct answer: 104
With 48 teams and a new format, a total of 104 matches will be played, compared to 64 in the previous 32-team format. (Source)
2. How many US cities will host matches at the 2026 World Cup?
- A. 11
- B. 9
- C. 13
Correct answer: 11
The US has 11 host cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. (Source)
3. Which stadium in the Los Angeles area will be used during the 2026 World Cup?
- A. SoFi Stadium
- B. Rose Bowl
- C. Dodger Stadium
Correct answer: SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (home to the Rams and Chargers) is LA's 2026 World Cup stadium, not the Rose Bowl, which was used in 1994. (Source)
4. Which stadium has FIFA designated as the host venue in Atlanta?
- A. Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- B. Bobby Dodd Stadium
- C. Center Parc Stadium
Correct answer: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta (home to Atlanta United and the Falcons) is the host stadium, known for its unique retractable roof. (Source)
5. Which stadium will be used in Toronto during the 2026 World Cup?
- A. BMO Field
- B. Rogers Centre
- C. Scotiabank Arena
Correct answer: BMO Field
BMO Field (Toronto FC's home stadium) is being expanded for the 2026 World Cup to a capacity of around 45,000 spectators. (Source)
6. What host-city label does FIFA use for the final venue, MetLife Stadium?
- A. New York New Jersey
- B. New York City
- C. Newark
Correct answer: New York New Jersey
FIFA uses the host-city name New York New Jersey for MetLife Stadium, even though the stadium is in East Rutherford. (Source)
7. How many teams from each group advance to the knockout stage in the 2026 World Cup?
- A. The top two plus the eight best third-placed teams
- B. Only the top two
- C. All third-placed teams
Correct answer: The top two plus the eight best third-placed teams
In the 48-team format, the top two teams in each group advance, along with the eight best third-place teams. That creates a 32-team first knockout round. (Source)
8. What new knockout round will be introduced in the 2026 World Cup compared to the 32-team format?
- A. Round of 32
- B. Quarterfinals
- C. Bronze Medal Match
Correct answer: Round of 32
With 32 teams in the knockout stage, the knockout rounds begin with the round of 32, a new round that did not exist in the 32-team format. (Source)

Hard questions for the World Cup expert

Hard6 questions with answers

Tricky stats and details that only the most dedicated fans will know.

1. How old will Estadio Azteca be when it hosts the World Cup in 2026?
- A. Just over 60 years old
- B. Just over 40 years old
- C. Just over 80 years old
Correct answer: Just over 60 years old
Estadio Azteca opened in 1966, making the stadium about 60 years old in 2026, and it is still one of the world's most famous soccer stadiums. (Source)
2. Which city or region does Levi's Stadium represent as a World Cup host?
- A. Santa Clara (Levi's Stadium)
- B. Oakland (Coliseum)
- C. San Jose (PayPal Park)
Correct answer: Santa Clara (Levi's Stadium)
Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara and is used by FIFA for the Bay Area/San Francisco region. (Source)
3. Who scored the fastest goal ever in a World Cup (after 11 seconds)?
- A. Hakan Şükür
- B. Davor Šuker
- C. Bryan Robson
Correct answer: Hakan Şükür
Turkey's Hakan Şükür scored after 10.8 seconds against South Korea in the bronze medal match at the 2002 World Cup. (Source)
4. Which team shocked France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup?
- A. Senegal
- B. South Korea
- C. USA
Correct answer: Senegal
Senegal defeated reigning World Cup champion France 1-0 in Seoul on May 31, 2002. Papa Bouba Diop scored the historic goal. (Source)
5. How many goals did Just Fontaine score at the 1958 World Cup, the record for a single World Cup tournament?
- A. 13
- B. 10
- C. 16
Correct answer: 13
France's Just Fontaine scored 13 goals at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, the single-tournament World Cup record. (Source)
6. Which country has played in the most World Cup final matches?
- A. Germany
- B. Brazil
- C. Argentina
Correct answer: Germany
Germany (including West Germany) has played in 8 World Cup finals, more than any other country. Brazil has played in 7 finals. (Source)

FAQ

Which countries are hosting the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 football World Cup is co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. It is the first time three countries have shared hosting duties for a men's World Cup.

How many teams play in the 2026 World Cup?

48 national teams take part, more than ever before. The format expands from 32 to 48 teams for the first time, drawn into groups of four.

Where is the 2026 World Cup final played?

The final is held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just outside New York. It is the venue FIFA selected as the final's host stadium.

Which stadium becomes the first to host three men's World Cups?

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Having hosted in 1970 and 1986, in 2026 it becomes the first venue ever to stage matches at three different men's World Cups.

Who won the most recent football World Cup?

Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, claiming their third title, led by Lionel Messi after a dramatic final against France.

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