The Beginner’s Cheat Sheet to the 2026 World Cup: 30 Soccer Terms and More

Introduction to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a historic event as the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare to host the world's largest sporting occasion. Kicking off on June 11 and running until July 19, the tournament will feature an unprecedented 48 teams competing across 16 cities. This World Cup will mark the U.S.'s second time hosting, following the successful 1994 tournament, while Canada will host the men's event for the first time.

As soccer continues to grow in popularity within the U.S., Sports Illustrated has crafted a beginner's guide to help new fans navigate the complexities of the sport and the tournament. Here’s everything you need to know about the World Cup, from essential terminology to key teams and how the tournament operates.

Understanding the World Cup Structure

How Many Teams Are Competing?

The 2026 World Cup will welcome 48 teams, expanding from the previous format of 32. This increase allows for a wider representation of nations, ranging from the United States' 350 million residents to Curaçao's 180,000.

Tournament Format

The tournament will be organized into 12 groups of four teams. Each team will face all its group opponents once, with the top two teams from each group advancing to a knockout stage. Additionally, the eight best third-place finishers will also progress to this next round, leading to a single-elimination bracket until a champion is crowned.

Major Contenders and Teams to Watch

While many teams have significant World Cup legacies, only eight have ever claimed the title. Defending champion Argentina and 2018 winner France are among the favorites. Other strong teams include Spain, the 2010 champions, as well as former winners England and Germany. Notably, there is the possibility of first-time winners emerging this summer, such as the United States, Japan, Ecuador, Norway, and Senegal.

Can the U.S. Win?

The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) has historically faced hurdles, having never advanced beyond the quarterfinals in the modern era. However, led by an exciting young roster including talents like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, the dream of winning is not out of reach.

Host Cities for the 2026 World Cup

The tournament will span 16 cities:

• In the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.
• In Canada: Vancouver and Toronto.
• In Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Key Soccer Terminology to Know

As the tournament approaches, familiarize yourself with essential soccer terms. Here’s a cheat sheet to get started:

Basic Soccer Terms

• Advantage: When the referee allows play to continue after a foul if the affected team is at an advantage.
• Back Pass: Passing the ball back to the goalkeeper — a foul if the keeper handles it.
• Bicycle Kick: A spectacular shot taken while in mid-air, with both feet off the ground.
• Corner Kick: Awarded when the ball goes out of bounds behind the goal, touched last by a defending player.

Game Flow Terms

• Dribble: The skill of controlling and moving the ball along the field.
• Foul: An infraction against another player, prompting the referee to stop play.
• Free Kick: Awarded after a foul, allowing an immediate attempt to shoot at the goal.

Match Dynamics

• Goal Kick: Awarded when the ball crosses the endline, last touched by an attacking player.
• Half Time: The break between two halves of play, usually lasting 15 minutes.
• Offside: A player is offside if they are closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender (usually the last outfield player).

Penalties and Red Cards

• Penalty Kick: Awarded for fouls within the penalty area, a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper from 12 yards.
• Red Card: Given for severe fouls, resulting in the player's expulsion and the team playing short-handed.

Conclusion

With the excitement building around the 2026 World Cup, this guide aims to prepare both newcomers and avid fans for an exhilarating tournament. Brush up on your soccer terminology, understand the tournament structure, and get ready to cheer for your favorite teams!

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