The countdown is on: 100 days until the World Cup kicks off

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The countdown is on: 100 days until the World Cup kicks off

The clocks at the Zócalo in Mexico City, Times Square in New York, and Harbour Square in Vancouver have been synchronized: 100 days remain. We are just over three months away from the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and the atmosphere in North America is no longer one of anticipation, but of absolute excitement.

This is not just the return of the planet's most important tournament; it is the birth of a new era for the beautiful game.

From Azteca to MetLife Stadium​

On June 11, the world will turn its eyes to one place: the Estadio Azteca. The colossus of Santa Úrsula is finalizing the details of its historic renovation. It will be the first stadium to inaugurate three World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).

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Hector Vivas - 2026 Getty Images

Mexico will open the curtain against South Africa, marking the start of a football marathon of 104 matches that will end on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The greatest show of all time​

We have left behind the 32-team format. With 100 days to go, the 42 qualified teams (awaiting the six that will qualify through playoffs) already know their base camps.


More teams mean more diversity, more "Cinderella" stories, and above all, an extended group stage with 12 groups of four teams. The major logistical innovation is the division by regions (East, Central, and West), designed so that fans and players do not succumb to the transcontinental distances of North America.

New rules making their debut​

The IFAB has confirmed that this World Cup will debut rules to speed up the game that are already being tested in local leagues this March:

• Timed substitutions: The player leaving the field has only 10 seconds to exit; otherwise, their team will play one minute with one less player.
• Pressure throws: Goalkeepers and throw-in takers will have a visual count of 5 seconds. If they do not resume, the ball goes to the opponent.
• Expanded VAR: For the first time, VAR can correct "clearly incorrect" second yellow cards, preventing unfair expulsions in knockout rounds.

The most technological World Cup in history​

With 100 days to go, the technological infrastructure is at 100%. Beyond artificial intelligence, the stadiums feature 6G connectivity, and the semi-automated 3D offside system will send instant animations to the giant screens and fans' phones in the stands through Augmented Reality. Watching football in 2026 will be like being inside an ultra-high-definition video game.

An entire continent dedicated to the tournament​

Beyond the goals, this World Cup aims to be a bridge. In a complex global context, the union of Canada, United States, and Mexico under a single sporting flag is a message of collaboration.

The "Fan Zones" in cities like Monterrey, Miami, or Toronto expect to welcome over 6 million tourists, turning North America into the cultural epicenter of the world for nearly 40 days.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

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