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.

L. Holtby

Germany

Germany35 yrs

Age

175 cm

Height

76 kg

Weight

Midfield

Typical role

Germany

Nationality

Career clubs

NAC Breda

2025

29 apps⚽ 1

Holstein Kiel

2021–2024

108 apps⚽ 7

Career transfers

Tottenham Hamburger SV
1 Jul 2015Transfer
Tottenham Hamburger SV
1 Sept 2014Loan
Fulham Tottenham
1 Jul 2014
Tottenham Fulham
31 Jan 2014Loan
FC Schalke 04 Tottenham
28 Jan 2013Transfer

Honours

Super Cup

Winner

Germany · 1× (2011/2012)

2. Bundesliga

Runner-up

Germany · 1× (2023/2024)

Injury record

Thigh Injury

Apr 2025

Back Injury

Oct 2024 – Nov 2024

Hip/Thigh Injury

Jun 2013 – Aug 2013

10 recorded match-day injury flags in the corpus.

Competitions

2. Bundesliga· Germany

Eredivisie· Netherlands

Bundesliga· Germany

DFB Pokal· Germany

KNVB Beker· Netherlands

Recent form

@ AZ Alkmaar

Eredivisie · 3–3

22'6.6

vs Heerenveen

Eredivisie · 2–0

78'6.5

@ Utrecht

Eredivisie · 0–2

81'6.9

vs Ajax

Eredivisie · 0–2

19'6.3

@ Fortuna Sittard

Eredivisie · 1–1

38'6.2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	NAC Breda	29	1	5	6.84
2024	Holstein Kiel	27	0	1	6.66
2023	Holstein Kiel	33	5	7	7.25
2022	Holstein Kiel	24	1	3	6.93
2021	Holstein Kiel	24	1	3	7.01

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

365

Fouls

← All World Cup stars