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.

Mata

Spain

Spain37 yrs

Age

170 cm cm

Height

63 kg kg

Weight

Midfield — centre

Typical role

Spain

Nationality

Career transfers

Galatasaray Vissel Kobe
1 Sept 2023Free transfer
Manchester United Galatasaray
8 Sept 2022Free transfer
Chelsea Manchester United
25 Jan 2014Transfer
Valencia Chelsea
22 Aug 2011Transfer
Real Madrid Valencia
1 Jul 2007Free transfer

Injury record

Hamstring

Feb 2025

Knock

Feb 2021 – Apr 2021

Hamstring

Feb 2019 – Mar 2019

Groin Injury

Mar 2017 – Apr 2017

Suspended

Mar 2016

3 recorded match-day injury flags in the corpus.

Recent form

vs Sydney

A-League · 0–1

84'7.2

@ Western Sydney Wanderers

A-League · 2–0

8'6.7

vs Wellington Phoenix

A-League · 0–1

88'6.7

vs Central Coast Mariners

A-League · 4–1

⚽ 1🅰 189'8.6

vs Macarthur

A-League · 4–1

🅰 180'7.3

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Melbourne Victory	25	5	12	7.22
2024	Western Sydney Wanderers	25	1	3	6.95
2023	Vissel Kobe	6	0	0	6.60
2022	Galatasaray	27	3	1	6.88
2021	Manchester United	40	0	0	6.86
2020	Manchester United	43	3	3	6.91
2019	Manchester United	37	3	7	7.00
2018	Manchester United	32	6	2	6.87
2017	Manchester United	33	3	6	7.10
2016	Manchester United	40	9	5	7.09
2015	Manchester United	47	8	7	6.95

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

107

Fouls

← All World Cup stars