National teams from BRICS+ countries to compete at FIFA World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place from 11 June to 19 July. The tournament will be jointly hosted by three North American countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Matches will be played in 16 host cities, including 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.

For the first time in history, 48 national teams will compete in the group stage of the tournament. The decision to expand the number of participating teams from 32 was approved in 2017. The host countries were selected at a congress of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in Moscow ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018, which was held in Russia.

The teams have been drawn into 12 groups of four. The winners and runners-up of each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.

Among the BRICS member states and partner countries, the national teams of South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, and Uzbekistan will compete in the tournament. Notably, Uzbekistan has qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history. The Uzbek side, placed in Group K, will play its opening match against Colombia in Mexico City on 18 June (17 June local time).

Egypt and Iran have been drawn into Group G. The two sides are scheduled to meet in the third round of the group stage on 27 June (26 June local time) in Seattle. Brazil has been placed in Group C. Defending champions Argentina will compete in Group J.

The tournament will open with a Group A match between Mexico and South Africa. The fixture will be played in Mexico City and will kick off at 22:00 Moscow time. The match will be officiated by a Brazilian refereeing team led by Wilton Sampaio.

The knockout stage will begin on 28 June. The final will take place in New York on 19 July.

Media outlets from BRICS+ countries, including TV BRICS partners, are preparing extensive coverage of the world’s premier football tournament. One such initiative is the international project Colours of Football, organised by TAL (Televisión América Latina), a media network bringing together more than 100 public and cultural television channels across Latin America. The project explores football as both a way of life and a form of cultural expression. Its third season is currently being released to coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The series of one-minute videos highlights people’s passion for football through personal stories, memories and connections with specific cities and neighbourhoods. Football is presented as a tool for social and cultural integration, capable of bridging differences and bringing communities together.

More than 20 media organisations are participating in the project, broadcasting the episodes across their platforms. The content is intended for both television audiences and social media users.