Three host countries. Forty-eight teams. England in the mix. And every single one of you can be part of it — right here at school.
Let’s beginThe very first match kicks off on the evening of Thursday 11 June 2026 in Mexico — and the whole world starts watching at the same time.
Hands up if you’ve ever stayed up to watch a World Cup match. Hands up if this is your first World Cup. Either way — you’ve got the best seat in the house: in your own home, with your family.
It’s a record. The biggest ever. Have a guess. No looking at your friends.
16? 32? 48? Make your pick. Then we’ll find out who’s right…
Up from 32. That means 16 extra countries get a chance to play in a World Cup — including some that have never qualified before. Whole nations watching their team walk out at a World Cup for the very first time.
Part 1: Europe & Africa — 26 of the 48 nations. Spot any flags you don’t recognise — we’ll find them on the map together.
Part 2: Asia, the Americas and Oceania — the remaining 22 nations.
★ Host nations · ✦ World Cup debutants · Defending champions: 🇦🇷 Argentina · Most titles: 🇧🇷 Brazil (5)
For the very first time, a single World Cup is shared between three countries. Imagine putting on the Olympics across three different countries at once — that’s the scale.
It’s the men’s team this time, but they’re drawing on something the women’s team has shown for years. The Lionesses have twice won the Women’s Euros for England now. The Three Lions are using the same playbook.
Hands up if you’d like to see the Three Lions win this World Cup. Now — hands up if you think they actually will?
Different stories, different jobs. But every one of them got here by being curious, working hard, and bouncing back when things went wrong.
In 2021, an England player aged just 19 had to take a penalty in the European Championship final. He missed. England lost. Millions of people watched.
“The biggest thing I learned was: the worst moments don’t define you. What you do after them does.”
— Bukayo Saka (paraphrased from his interviews after Euro 2020)It isn’t talent. It isn’t luck. It’s something every single one of you can practise — this week, in your classroom, in your own playground.
From every single one of you, between now and the day the trophy is lifted on 19 July.
For 39 days the whole world will be watching. Forty-eight countries. Sixteen stadiums. Three host cities you’ll come to know. And one trophy lifted in New York on the 19th of July. You’re part of it — from your own classroom, in your own playground, with your own friends.
So — who’s ready for the biggest World Cup ever?