The FIFA World Cup is heading back to North America after 32 years, but the tournament that kicks off in 2026 bears little resemblance to the competition that captivated audiences across the United States in 1994. What was once a month-long football festival involving 24 nations has evolved into a massive continental event featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and an unprecedented commercial footprint stretching across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The transformation reflects FIFA's long-term strategy of expanding football's global reach while maximising revenue opportunities. From ticket prices to broadcasting and tournament logistics, almost every aspect of the World Cup has grown dramatically.
Bigger tournament, bigger ambitions
The most significant change is the expansion of the competition itself. The 1994 World Cup was the last edition to feature 24 teams before FIFA increased participation to 32 teams in 1998. The 2026 tournament takes that expansion even further, welcoming 48 nations for the first time.
As a result, the number of matches has doubled from 52 in 1994 to 104 in 2026. Teams aiming to lift the trophy will now have to navigate an additional knockout round, making the road to the final longer and more demanding.
The expansion is designed to offer more countries a chance to participate on football's biggest stage while helping FIFA increase global engagement and television audiences.
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Fans face a far more expensive World Cup
For supporters, the cost of attending matches has risen dramatically. During the 1994 tournament, group-stage tickets generally ranged between $25 and $75, while the final at the Rose Bowl cost up to $475.
Three decades later, attending the World Cup has become significantly more expensive. Group-stage tickets released for the 2026 tournament range from $140 to more than $2,700, while premium seats for the final have climbed beyond $10,000.
Despite the higher costs, organisers expect record-breaking attendance. The 1994 World Cup attracted 3.59 million spectators and remains one of the best-attended tournaments in history. With twice as many matches and venues spread across North America, attendance could approach seven million fans.
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A continental event with modern football changes
Unlike the 1994 competition, which was hosted entirely in the United States, the 2026 World Cup will span 16 venues across three countries. Eleven stadiums are located in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada, making it the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by three nations.
The tournament will also feature several modern football regulations absent in 1994. Teams can now make five substitutions during regulation time, with additional replacements available in extra time and for concussion cases. Mandatory cooling breaks may also be introduced during matches played in extreme heat, offering players relief while creating new commercial opportunities for broadcasters.
FIFA's role has also evolved. While the 1994 tournament was largely driven by local organisers, the 2026 edition has been overseen more directly by FIFA leadership under Gianni Infantino, reflecting the governing body's increasingly centralised control over the global game.
