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. Šimić

Defence — centre

Typical role

Career transfers

Lecce Ascoli
21 Jul 2022
Zaglebie Lubin Lecce
17 Jan 2022
Sampdoria Zaglebie Lubin
15 Aug 2020
Sampdoria Dunajska Streda
6 Feb 2020Loan
Sampdoria HNK Rijeka
9 Aug 2019Loan
Spal Sampdoria
1 Jul 2019
Sampdoria Spal
16 Aug 2018Loan
Spal Sampdoria
1 Jul 2018
Sampdoria Spal
31 Jan 2018Loan
Sampdoria Empoli
15 Aug 2017Loan
HNK Hajduk Split Sampdoria
31 Jan 2017

Injury record

Health problems

May 2025

Muscle Injury

Jan 2025 – Feb 2025

Injury

Aug 2021 – Nov 2021

Injury

Dec 2020 – Feb 2021

Thigh Injury

Apr 2019 – May 2019

Ankle Injury

Nov 2018 – Dec 2018

Ankle Injury

Oct 2018

Recent form

@ Mantova

Serie B · 2–0

90'8.3

vs Catanzaro

Serie B · 1–1

90'7.2

@ Palermo

Serie B · 0–2

90'6.3

@ Sampdoria

Serie B · 1–2

90'7.3

vs Sudtirol

Serie B · 3–2

🅰 190'6.7

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Avellino	34	3	1	7.04
2024	Bari	27	2	0	7.39
2023	Ascoli	1	0	0	—
2023	Maccabi Haifa	38	1	1	7.15
2022	Ascoli	32	2	0	6.88
2021	Zaglebie Lubin	3	1	0	7.00
2021	Lecce	11	0	0	6.78
2018	Spal	8	0	0	6.52
2017	Spal	6	1	0	6.85

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

129

Fouls

← All World Cup stars