World Cup 2026 FAQ — Everything an Irish Fan Needs to Know

The 2026 World Cup is the most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. Forty-eight teams across three host countries, a new group format with best-third-place qualifiers, and kick-off times that will test the sleep schedules of fans from Dublin to Donegal. I have been fielding questions about this tournament from friends, family, and fellow punters for months, and the same dozen queries come up again and again. This World Cup 2026 FAQ compiles everything an Irish fan needs to know — from the basics of how the tournament works to the specifics of betting regulations, match times, and where to watch. If your question is not answered here, it probably will be by June.

General Questions

Where is the 2026 World Cup being held? The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The US hosts the majority of matches across 11 stadiums, Mexico contributes three venues, and Canada has two. This is the first World Cup hosted by three countries simultaneously, and the geographic spread means matches will be played across four time zones — from Pacific Time on the US west coast to Central Time in Mexico City.

When does the 2026 World Cup start and finish? The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June 2026. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026. The tournament spans 39 days and includes 104 matches — making it the longest and most match-dense World Cup in history.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup? Forty-eight teams, up from 32 at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. This is the first World Cup to use the expanded format, which was approved by FIFA in 2017. The additional 16 places have been distributed across all confederations, increasing representation from Africa, Asia, and the CONCACAF region in particular.

Which teams are making their World Cup debut? Four teams are appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 2026: Cape Verde (Group H), Curaçao (Group E), Jordan (Group J), and Uzbekistan (Group K). Each debutant brings a unique story, and their presence reflects the expanded format’s goal of broadening football’s global reach.

Who are the favourites to win? The bookmakers have Brazil, France, England, Spain, and Argentina as the leading contenders. Argentina enter as defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Spain are the reigning European champions. France reached the 2022 final and have the deepest squad in the tournament. Brazil have the tradition and talent. England have the squad quality and the motivation of playing across the Atlantic from home. For a detailed look at the odds, visit our World Cup 2026 winner odds page.

Tournament Format and Rules

How do the groups work? The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group matches. The top two teams from each group qualify automatically for the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance. This means 32 of the 48 teams will reach the knockout rounds — a significantly higher proportion than in previous tournaments.

What are the best third-place rules? After the group stage, the 12 third-placed teams are ranked by points, then goal difference, then goals scored. The eight best-performing third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. This system — borrowed from the European Championship format used between 1980 and 2016 — means that a team finishing third with four points is likely to qualify, while three points may or may not be enough depending on results across other groups.

How does the knockout round work? The knockout phase begins with the Round of 32 (32 teams), followed by the Round of 16 (16 teams), quarter-finals (8 teams), semi-finals (4 teams), the third-place match, and the final. All knockout matches are single-leg fixtures. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, extra time of two 15-minute periods is played. If the match remains drawn, a penalty shootout determines the winner.

Are there any rule changes for 2026? FIFA has confirmed that the standard Laws of the Game apply, with the same VAR system used at the 2022 World Cup. Each team can make five substitutions per match (plus one additional in extra time), and squads can include up to 26 players. The concussion substitution protocol remains in place, allowing an additional substitution if a player is suspected of having suffered a head injury.

How many matches are there in total? The 2026 World Cup features 104 matches: 48 in the group stage (four matches per group across 12 groups), followed by 56 knockout matches from the Round of 32 through to the final. This is 40 more matches than the 64-match format used at the 2022 World Cup.

Betting Questions

Is online betting legal in Ireland? Online betting is legal and licensed in Ireland. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 replaced the outdated Betting Act 1931 and Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, establishing a modern regulatory framework. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which began operating in March 2025, is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling activities in the country. Since 9 February 2026, GRAI has been accepting applications for online and offline betting licences.

Can I use a credit card to place bets? No. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 prohibits the use of credit cards for gambling transactions in Ireland. You can fund your betting account using debit cards, bank transfers, or approved e-wallet services, but credit cards are explicitly banned. This applies to all licensed bookmakers operating in the Irish market.

What odds format is standard in Ireland? Fractional odds are the traditional standard in Ireland and the United Kingdom — displayed as fractions like 5/1, 11/4, or 2/5. Most online bookmakers also offer decimal odds as an alternative, which can be selected in your account settings. Fractional odds show your potential profit relative to your stake: at 5/1, a ten-euro bet returns fifty euros in profit plus your original ten-euro stake.

Are free bet promotions still available? The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 has significantly restricted promotional offers in Ireland. VIP programmes have been abolished, and free-bet promotions that directly incentivise gambling have been curtailed. Some bookmakers still offer welcome bonuses or enhanced odds on specific markets, but the era of aggressive promotional campaigns with free bets and deposit matches is largely over in the Irish market.

What are the most popular World Cup betting markets? The main markets include outright winner (who lifts the trophy), group winner (who tops each group), match betting (1X2 — home win, draw, or away win), both teams to score, over/under total goals, top scorer (Golden Boot), and various player and team specials. Accumulator bets — combining multiple selections into a single bet at combined odds — are particularly popular during the World Cup.

Questions for Irish Fans

Is Ireland in the World Cup 2026? No. The Republic of Ireland were eliminated in the UEFA playoff semi-final on 26 March 2026, losing to Czechia 2-2 (3-4 on penalties) in Prague. This is Ireland’s sixth consecutive World Cup absence — the last appearance was in 2002 in South Korea and Japan. Troy Parrott scored a penalty in the shootout, but it was not enough to prevent another heartbreaking exit.

What time are World Cup matches in Irish time? Irish Standard Time (IST) is UTC+1 during the summer months, which coincides with the World Cup dates. The time difference varies by venue: Eastern Time venues (New York, Miami, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston) are five hours behind IST; Central Time venues (Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara) are six hours behind; Mountain Time venues are seven hours behind; and Pacific Time venues (Seattle, San Francisco, LA, Vancouver) are eight hours behind. Practically, this means kick-off times for Irish viewers will range from early evening (for afternoon ET matches) to 2-3am (for evening PT matches).

Which teams should Irish fans follow? With Ireland absent, the two teams with the strongest cultural connection for Irish fans are England (Group L) and Scotland (Group C). England are the neighbours — the team we have the most complicated feelings about — and Scotland are the Celtic cousins making their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Beyond those two, the debutant nations and traditional underdogs tend to attract Irish neutral support.

Where can I watch the World Cup in Ireland? Broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup in Ireland will be shared between free-to-air and subscription channels. RTE has historically held rights to key tournament matches, and the public broadcaster is expected to screen a significant number of fixtures including all Ireland-interest matches and knockout-round games. Check the RTE and broadcaster schedules closer to the tournament for confirmed coverage details.