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.

M. Wels

Midfield — centre

Typical role

Career clubs

WSG Wattens

2025

28 apps⚽ 5

Austria Vienna

2022–2024

39 apps⚽ 1

Stripfing

2023–2024

26 apps⚽ 8

Sturm Graz

2021–2023

7 apps

Austria U19

2023

3 apps⚽ 1

Sturm Graz II

2021–2022

41 apps⚽ 12

Career transfers

Austria ViennaTirol
30 Jun 2025Loan
Austria Vienna WSG Wattens
30 Jun 2025Loan
Austria Vienna WSG Wattens
23 Jun 2025Loan
Sturm Graz Austria Vienna
26 Jun 2023Free transfer

Injury record

Red Card

Apr 2024

Injury

Apr 2023

Injury

Dec 2022 – Apr 2023

Injury

Nov 2022

Competitions

Bundesliga· Austria

2. Liga· Austria

Regionalliga - Tirol· Austria

Cup· Austria

UEFA U19 Championship - Qualification· World

UEFA Europa League· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

UEFA Champions League· World

UEFA Europa Conference League· World

Recent form

@ Wolfsberger AC

Bundesliga · 0–2

60'6.7

vs FC BW Linz

Bundesliga · 1–1

87'6.3

@ Grazer AK

Bundesliga · 0–4

90'6.3

vs Ried

Bundesliga · 1–0

90'7.0

@ SCR Altach

Bundesliga · 0–0

68'6.2

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	WSG Wattens	28	5	2	6.66
2024	Stripfing	31	4	0	6.39
2023	Stripfing	33	5	0	6.24
2022	Sturm Graz II	26	3	0	7.20
2021	Sturm Graz II	26	10	0	6.60

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars