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.

Thiago Santana

Brazil

Brazil32 yrs

Age

184 cm

Height

80 kg

Weight

Forward — centre

Typical role

Brazil

Nationality

Career clubs

Urawa

2024–2025

60 apps⚽ 18

Shimizu S-pulse

2021–2024

114 apps⚽ 43

Career transfers

Urawa V-varen Nagasaki
3 Jan 2026Free transfer
Shimizu S-pulse Urawa
22 Jan 2024
Santa Clara Shimizu S-pulse
9 Jan 2021
Vitoria Setubal Santa Clara
1 Jul 2017
Figueirense Nautico Recife
8 Jan 2016
—Figueirense
12 May 2015
Caxias—
1 Jan 2015

Honours

Segunda Liga

Runner-up

Portugal · 1× (2017/2018)

Injury record

Injury

Apr 2025 – May 2025

Knee Injury

Sept 2018 – Mar 2019

Competitions

FIFA Club World Cup· World

Recent form

@ Kyoto Sanga

J1 League

85'5.7

vs Vissel Kobe

J1 League · 2–2

63'5.9

@ Cerezo Osaka

J1 League · 2–3

19'6.3

vs Fagiano Okayama

J1 League · 2–1

⚽ 172'7.3

vs Nagoya Grampus

J1 League · 1–2

⚽ 163'7.5

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Urawa	22	5	0	6.77
2024	Urawa	38	13	3	6.98
2023	Shimizu S-pulse	42	14	0	—
2022	Shimizu S-pulse	32	16	5	7.21
2021	Shimizu S-pulse	40	13	2	6.94

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

274

Fouls

← All World Cup stars