Excitement is building as the start of the 2026 World Cup draws near. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with Mexico facing South Africa, and concludes on July 19 with the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Fans can feel part of the action with a free-to-download sweepstake kit.
Largest World Cup Ever
This is the biggest World Cup in history, taking place across three host nations: Mexico, Canada, and the USA. A record 48 nations will compete, meaning more opportunities to win or lose depending on who you draw in your sweepstake. WalesOnline provides everything you need with a free sweepstake kit that you can click, download, and print to enjoy with friends, family, and colleagues.
Expanded Format
The expanded tournament format will see a staggering 104 matches played over 39 days. There is no shortage of exciting storylines heading into this iconic event. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are set to make their final World Cup appearances as they fight for the most coveted prize in football.
For England, this summer marks a new era under Thomas Tuchel. Scotland returns to the tournament for the first time since 1998 after securing their spot in dramatic fashion against Denmark. Steve Clarke's Tartan Army have been drawn against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in Group C.
Excitement of the Sweepstake
Will you draw a favorite such as Argentina, France, Germany, Portugal, England, Spain, or Brazil, sparking envy among your friends? Or will you get the short straw with teams like Cape Verde, Iraq, Curacao, Jordan, or Uzbekistan? Whether you feel confident or unlucky, entering a sweepstake heightens the occasion and gives you a personal stake in matches like Qatar versus Switzerland in the opening week.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass 'designed for football'. This article contains affiliate links; we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Sky is offering 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
