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.

Martijn Kaars

Forward — centre

Typical role

Career clubs

1. FC Magdeburg

2024–2025

37 apps⚽ 22

FC St. Pauli

2025

30 apps⚽ 4

Helmond Sport

2022–2023

73 apps⚽ 33

FC Volendam

2021–2022

30 apps⚽ 4

Career transfers

1. FC Magdeburg FC St. Pauli
28 Aug 2025Transfer
Helmond Sport 1. FC Magdeburg
1 Jul 2024
FC Volendam Helmond Sport
9 Jun 2022Free transfer
Ajax U19 FC Volendam
1 Jul 2018Free transfer

Honours

Derde Divisie

Winner

Netherlands · 1× (2018/2019)

U19 Divisie 1

Winner

Netherlands · 2× (2017/2018, 2016/2017)

Eerste Divisie

Runner-up

Netherlands · 2× (2021/2022, 2016/2017)

Injury record

Red Card

Nov 2024

Ankle Injury

Apr 2021

Injury

Jan 2021 – Feb 2021

Competitions

Eerste Divisie· Netherlands

2. Bundesliga· Germany

Bundesliga· Germany

DFB Pokal· Germany

KNVB Beker· Netherlands

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

vs VfL Wolfsburg

Bundesliga · 1–3

90'7.2

@ RB Leipzig

Bundesliga · 1–2

90'6.2

vs FSV Mainz 05

Bundesliga · 1–2

🅰 125'6.9

@ 1. FC Heidenheim

Bundesliga · 0–2

45'6.0

vs 1. FC Köln

Bundesliga · 1–1

11'6.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	FC St. Pauli	33	6	2	6.53
2024	1. FC Magdeburg	34	20	4	7.08
2023	Helmond Sport	38	20	2	7.15
2022	Helmond Sport	35	13	3	7.08
2021	FC Volendam	30	4	2	6.86

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls

← All World Cup stars