The 2026 sports calendar is shaping up to be one of the most packed in recent memory, with the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, taking center stage as the largest edition in tournament history. The expanded event will feature 48 teams, up from the usual 32, competing in 104 matches across multiple venues, with the final set to take place in New Jersey from June 11 to July 19.
The year kicks off with a major winter sports showcase as Italy hosts the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics from February 6 to 22, followed by the Paralympics from March 6 to 15. Italy’s deep winter sports tradition and the return of veteran skier Lindsey Vonn, who became the oldest winner of a World Cup race at 41 in December 2025, add excitement to the Games and provide a boost to spectators and competitors alike.
Cricket fans will also have a busy start to the year as the men’s T20 World Cup takes place in India and Sri Lanka, overlapping slightly with the Winter Games. The tournament will set the stage for global teams to battle for supremacy in the shortest format of the game.
Meanwhile, World Cup soccer qualifiers in March will finalize the last six spots for the June tournament. Among the nations still vying for qualification are Italy, who missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups despite being four-time champions, as well as Ukraine, Sweden, Bolivia, Wales, Iraq, and Jamaica. The qualifiers will determine which teams join the already confirmed nations, ensuring a global and competitive lineup for the historic 2026 tournament.
With events spanning winter sports, cricket, and soccer, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for international sports, highlighted by the unprecedented scale of the FIFA World Cup and a diverse array of competitions capturing the attention of fans worldwide.
