The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico City, and the 48 teams heading to North America aren't waiting around. Base camps are set, training schedules are locked in, and the world's best players are already on the ground. With Spain and France leading the odds, Argentina looking to defend its crown, and Brazil carrying the weight of five titles on its back, this tournament is shaping up to be one for the history books — and it's happening right here.
The Favorites Are Already in Position
Spain and France are co-favorites to win the tournament, both sitting at nearly identical odds heading into the tournament's final stretch. Spain, the reigning European champion, has been atop most predictions lists for months. Luis de la Fuente has built an incredibly cohesive group that plays some of the most attractive soccer on the planet. They've set up their base camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee — a strategic pick that puts them close to their group stage venue.
France, for their part, will be based at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, with accommodations at the Four Seasons in Boston. Their final group game is at nearby Gillette Stadium, meaning they won't even need to travel for it. Classic France — comfortable, calculated, dangerous.
England comes in at third in the odds, followed closely by Brazil and defending champion Argentina.
Messi's Historic Sixth World Cup — And a Scare That Had Everyone Worried
Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will be based in Kansas City for most of the tournament, opening their title defense on June 16 against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium. But the real headline is Messi himself: at 38 years old, he is heading into his record-breaking sixth World Cup appearance — a milestone no men's player has ever reached before. The journey nearly hit a wall when he had to leave an Inter Miami match early with a hamstring injury, sending Argentina fans into full panic mode. He made the final 26-man roster anyway. If he lifts the trophy in July, nothing in soccer history will come close.
England will also be based in Kansas City at Swope Soccer Village, creating one of the tournament's most high-profile football hubs alongside Argentina and the Netherlands. Three giants sharing a zip code. The drama practically writes itself.
Brazil Comes in Under the Radar
Brazil's roster is led by Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Marquinhos, giving the team elite attacking and defensive quality. It's rare that Brazil enters a World Cup this low in anyone's rankings — but that might make them more dangerous. They've set up base in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, at the Columbia Park Training Facility, not far from MetLife Stadium where the final will be played on July 19.
39 Teams Are Training on U.S. Soil
One of the most remarkable logistical stories of this tournament is the sheer scale of its footprint. Out of 48 competitors, 39 teams will be based in the United States, spread across more than 20 cities in 19 states. These base camps are expected to generate significant economic activity while giving fans another way to feel connected to the tournament.
Haiti, making its first World Cup appearance in 51 years, will play a pre-tournament friendly at Inter Miami CF Stadium — a reminder that this expanded 48-team format is bringing new stories and new nations onto the world stage.
What to Watch For
The storylines heading into June 11 are almost too many to count: Messi's farewell, Vinícius trying to deliver Brazil's first title since 2002, Spain looking to become a dynasty, and France — always France — lurking near the top of every bracket. Historically, the World Cup hasn't been particularly kind to favorites, which means every team with a shot knows the path is open.
This isn't just a soccer tournament. It's the biggest sporting event on North American soil in a generation, and it's starting in a matter of days. Get ready.
