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.

Rafael Thyere

Brazil

Brazil32 yrs

Age

190 cm

Height

84 kg

Weight

Defence — centre

Typical role

Brazil

Nationality

Career clubs

Sport Recife

2021–2025

199 apps⚽ 14

Career transfers

Sport Recife Chapecoense-sc
31 Dec 2025Free transfer
Gremio Sport Recife
1 Feb 2019
Chapecoense-sc Gremio
1 Jan 2019
Gremio Chapecoense-sc
1 Jan 2018Loan
Atletico Goianiense Gremio
1 Jan 2015
Gremio Atletico Goianiense
1 Oct 2014

Injury record

Back Injury

Jan 2025 – May 2025

Achilles Strain

Jun 2024 – Sept 2024

Muscle Injury

Apr 2024

16 recorded match-day injury flags in the corpus.

Competitions

Serie B· Brazil

Serie A· Brazil

Pernambucano - 1· Brazil

Copa do Nordeste· Brazil

Copa Do Brasil· Brazil

Recent form

vs RB Bragantino

Serie A · 1–2

19'6.6

@ Fluminense

Serie A · 1–2

87'6.9

@ Botafogo

Copa Do Brasil · 0–1

64'7.2

vs Botafogo

Serie A · 1–4

vs Atletico-MG

Serie A · 0–4

Season by season

Season	Team	Apps	Goals	Assists	Rating
2025	Sport Recife	24	1	0	6.91
2024	Sport Recife	36	4	0	6.97
2023	Sport Recife	54	5	1	7.01
2022	Sport Recife	48	2	1	7.22
2021	Sport Recife	37	2	0	7.01

Discipline

Yellow cards

Red cards

148

Fouls

← All World Cup stars