World Cup

Every game at next summer’s 2026 World Cup will feature a hydration break near the midway point of the first and second halves, announced FIFA. Even games played at indoor venues like Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Arlington’s AT&T Stadium will be stopped for three-minute hydration breaks.

World Cup games will be halted at the 22nd minute mark as well as the 67th minute for players to take a break and hydrate.

World Cup hydration breaks

For fans asking, ‘did the USA get a good group?’ We have great news for you. The United States men’s national team got perhaps the easiest group of the entire tournament.

The three nations set to compete against the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup group stage are Australia, Paraguay and the winner of Turkey/Kosovo/Slovakia/Romania.

USA Group for World Cup

The expanded 48-team World Cup for 2026 will be the biggest yet and include several newcomers on the world’s premier soccer stage. Here are the countries playing in their first World Cup at the 2026 edition.

For this list we’ll split countries into three different categories.

1. True newcomers (first-ever World Cup)
2. Welcome back (second-ever World Cup)
3. It’s been awhile (10+ years since their last World Cup)

Let’s meet the new faces.

True newcomers

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are making an early trip to Mexico.

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is close to finalizing an agreement for Mexico and Portugal to face off in the re-inauguration of the Estadio Azteca on March 28, 2026, marking the stadium’s grand reopening ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Over 1 million tickets sold during the first ticketing window for the 2026 World Cup, announced FIFA on Thursday. Millions of fans who applied for tickets during the Visa Presale Draw weren’t selected and will have to try again for the next window.

So, when might that be?

Next chance to buy World Cup tickets

FIFA and Adidas unveiled the official ball for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as the Trionda will grace the fields of the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer. 

The design features imagery of the three host nations and the ball’s pattern looks similar to the Brazuca ball used in Brazil during the 2014 World Cup.

Trionda 2026 World Cup ball

Ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began on Wednesday with VISA cardholders able to apply for a chance to purchase tickets. There’s plenty of controversy around the sales process and New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani is taking a firm stand.

One of the chief complaints about FIFA’s World Cup tickets is the “dynamic pricing” set to be implemented. While FIFA were proud to announce that fans could attend group stage games for as low as $60, that number could change based on demand.

UPDATE: FIFA announced on Wednesday that starting prices for group stage tickets will be $60. It was also announced that the most expensive ticket for the final will be priced at $6,730.

It's important to note that FIFA will be implementing dynamic pricing, meaning the prices could change based on demand.

Only one week to go before the first phase of @FIFAWorldCup ticket sales open

Las Vegas is set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, according to an ESPN report on Tuesday.

When is World Cup draw?

Sources told the outlet that the date of the draw would be Friday, Dec. 5 and that Las Vegas was selected over cities in Canada and Mexico. FIFA officials have not confirmed the date or site.

Las Vegas will host the 2026 World Cup draw on Dec. 5, according to ESPN.