When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Where is the 2026 World Cup Final?

The Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York metro area) on July 19, 2026.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

48 teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup — the first time the tournament has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

How many host cities are there?

16 host cities across 3 countries: 11 in the USA, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.

How many matches will be played?

104 matches will be played over 39 days, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Kristian Pedersen

Defence — left

Typical role

Career clubs

FC Fredericia

2025

6 apps

Swansea

2023–2024

7 apps

1. FC Köln

2022–2023

15 apps

Birmingham

2021

38 apps⚽ 2

Career transfers

Sheffield Wednesday Swansea
1 Jun 2024
Swansea Sheffield Wednesday
1 Feb 2024Loan
Birmingham 1.FC Köln
1 Jul 2022Free transfer
Union Berlin Birmingham
25 Jun 2018
HB Koge Union Berlin
1 Jul 2016

Injury record

Hamstring

Dec 2024 – Apr 2025

Hamstring

Sept 2024 – Oct 2024

Leg Injury

Feb 2024 – Apr 2024

Knock

Jan 2023 – Mar 2023

Suspended

Jan 2019 – Feb 2019

47 recorded match-day injury flags in the corpus.

Competitions

Championship· England

UEFA Europa Conference League· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

vs FC Copenhagen

Superliga · 3–3

vs Odense

Superliga · 0–2

@ FC Copenhagen

Superliga · 2–1

22'6.7

vs Randers FC

Superliga · 0–3

vs Silkeborg

Superliga · 2–1

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	FC Fredericia	6	0	0	6.70
2024	Swansea	2	0	0	7.15
2023	Swansea	5	0	0	6.30
2022	1. FC Köln	15	0	2	6.79
2021	Birmingham	38	2	1	6.79

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

257

Fouls

← All World Cup stars