You still have to watch the World Cup—sitting in an air-conditioned room, casually sipping beer while watching a group of billion-dollar-star athletes give it their all. It’s pure bliss. The group stage has already begun—here’s a quick refresher on the key highlights of the 2026 World Cup: 1. First-ever “Three-Nation Host + 48 Teams” For the first time, the tournament will be co-hosted by three countries: 11 cities in the U.S., 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada—totaling 16 stadiums across multiple time zones and nations. With matches spread widely, fans can go on a “roadshow” to catch games live. 2. Underdog Showdown: The New 48-Team Format This World Cup expands the field to 48 teams (16 more than 2022), increasing the total number of matches to 104 (72 group stage + 32 knockout). The teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-place teams, advance to the 32-team knockout stage. This format dramatically increases the chances of upsets by weaker teams, making matches more competitive and unpredictable. Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City). Final: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey. 3. Star-Studded Lineup (Many May Be Their “Last Dance”) Messi (Argentina): Defending champions, aiming for back-to-back titles. Ronaldo (Portugal): Likely his final World Cup. Mbappé (France): The world’s best current player and France’s top contender. Other stars to watch: Spain’s young prodigy Yarmolyn, England’s Bellingham, Brazil’s Vinícius Jr., Germany’s Havertz, and the Netherlands’ Van Dijk. 4. “Black Tech” Football in Action The official match ball, “Trinity Wave,” features a 500Hz motion-sensing chip embedded inside. It tracks ball movement in real time to assist Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in making more accurate offside decisions. 5. Top Contenders France, Spain, England, Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal are the favorites—but the U.S. (host nation), Germany, and the Netherlands are also in red-hot form. As always, heavy favorites can fall—World Cups are famous for dark horses. Even France’s seemingly invincible squad feels slightly concerning.