The next FIFA World Cup will take place in 2026, and it will be hosted jointly by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This will be the first time that the tournament is held across three nations. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June to July 2026.
Key details about the 2026 World Cup:
• Expanded Format: For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams, an increase from the previous 32-team format.
• Venues: Matches will be played across 16 cities, with 11 cities in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.
• U.S. cities include Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Miami, among others.
• Mexican cities include Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
• Canadian cities include Toronto and Vancouver.
The tournament will follow a new format where teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams, and the top teams from each group, along with the best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages. This change increases the total number of matches in the tournament.
Here’s a list of major global events happening in the coming years, spanning sports, technology, entertainment, and more:
1. Sports Events
• 2024 Summer Olympics
• Date: July 26 – August 11, 2024
• Location: Paris, France
• The 2024 Olympics will return to Paris for the first time since 1924, featuring traditional and new sports, including breakdancing for the first time.
• 2026 FIFA World Cup
• Date: June – July 2026
• Location: USA, Canada, Mexico
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and will take place across three countries.
• 2024 Tour de France
• Date: June 29 – July 21, 2024
• Location: Starting in Florence, Italy, and ending in Nice, France (instead of Paris due to the Olympics).
• 2025 Rugby World Cup
• Date: September – October 2025
• Location: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
• The women’s Rugby World Cup will be hosted by England.
• 2026 Winter Olympics
• Date: February 6 – February 22, 2026
• Location: Milan-Cortina, Italy
• This event will bring the Winter Games to Italy with a focus on skiing, ice hockey, and other winter sports.
2. Technology & Innovation Events
• GITEX Global 2024
• Date: October 2024
• Location: Dubai, UAE
• GITEX is one of the largest tech expos in the world, featuring innovations in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, blockchain, and more. It draws global tech leaders and startups alike.
• Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024
• Date: February 26 – March 1, 2024
• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• The MWC is the largest event in the mobile industry, focusing on 5G, IoT, AI, and emerging technologies.
• CES 2025 (Consumer Electronics Show)
• Date: January 6 – January 9, 2025
• Location: Las Vegas, USA
• CES is one of the largest tech trade shows, showcasing the latest in consumer electronics, AI, autonomous vehicles, smart homes, and more.
3. Entertainment Events
• Cannes Film Festival 2024
• Date: May 14 – May 25, 2024
• Location: Cannes, France
• This prestigious film festival will bring together the world’s top filmmakers and actors to showcase new films and compete for awards.
• Eurovision Song Contest 2024
• Date: May 2024
• Location: Malmö, Sweden
• One of the most popular music competitions in the world, Eurovision will return to Sweden in 2024 following their victory in 2023.
• 2024 Grammy Awards
• Date: February 4, 2024
• Location: Los Angeles, USA
• The music industry’s biggest night will honor the top musical artists across various genres.
4. Political & Environmental Events
• UN Climate Change Conference (COP29)
• Date: November 2024
• Location: To be confirmed
• The annual global summit on climate change will focus on international cooperation to combat climate change and meet sustainability targets.
• 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
• Date: November 5, 2024
• Location: United States
• The U.S. presidential election will be one of the most important political events in 2024, with global ramifications.
5. Miscellaneous Major Events
• Expo 2025 Osaka
• Date: April 13 – October 13, 2025
• Location: Osaka, Japan
• The World Expo 2025 in Osaka will showcase innovations and advancements in global sustainability, technology, and cultural exchanges.
• 2025 Solar Eclipse
• Date: August 12, 2025
• Location: North America
• A total solar eclipse will pass over parts of North America, providing a rare celestial event for observers across the continent.
6. Key Music Tours
• Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” (Europe)
• Date: May – August 2024
• Location: Various European cities
• Taylor Swift continues her record-breaking tour with dates across Europe in 2024.
• Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour”
• Date: June – July 2024
• Location: European cities
• Coldplay continues their global tour with dates across Europe, focusing on sustainability and environmental initiatives during their performances.
• Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour (Potential)
• Rumored for 2024
• Following her massive tour in 2023, there are rumors that Beyoncé could extend her tour into 2024.
These events will draw global attention, and they are diverse enough to cater to different interests, from sports to technology, politics, and entertainment.