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.

Z. Bakaev

RussiaRussia29 yrs

Age

180 cm

Height

77 kg

Weight

Midfield

Typical role

Russia

Nationality

International career

Caps

Intl goals

Intl assists

Career clubs

Lokomotiv

2025

24 apps⚽ 3

Russia

2022–2025

4 apps⚽ 1

Zenit

2022–2024

38 apps⚽ 3

Khimki

2024

25 apps⚽ 4

Al Wahda FC

2023

14 apps⚽ 1

Spartak Moscow

2021

36 apps⚽ 3

Career transfers

Zenit Lokomotiv
1 Jul 2025Free transfer
Khimki Zenit
29 Jun 2025Return from loan
Zenit Khimki
2 Aug 2024Loan
Al Wahda FC Zenit
1 Jul 2024
Zenit Al Wahda FC
19 Sept 2023Loan
Spartak Moscow Zenit
1 Jul 2022Free transfer
Arsenal Tula Spartak Moscow
1 Jul 2019
Spartak Moscow Arsenal Tula
1 Aug 2018Loan

Competitions

Premier League· Russia

Cup· Russia

Pro League· United-Arab-Emirates

UEFA Europa League· World

Friendlies· World

UEFA Champions League· World

Friendlies Clubs· World

Recent form

vs Baltika

Premier League · 1–0

83'7.3

vs Dynamo

Premier League · 1–1

45'6.9

@ Krylia Sovetov

Premier League · 0–2

45'6.6

vs Zenit

Premier League · 0–0

74'6.9

@ FC Orenburg

Premier League · 1–0

64'6.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Lokomotiv	27	4	5	6.88
2024	Khimki	25	4	0	6.93
2023	Al Wahda FC	27	1	3	7.00
2022	Zenit	26	3	0	6.62
2021	Spartak Moscow	36	3	7	6.93

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

225

Fouls

← All World Cup stars