FIFA World Cup 2026: The Complete Guide for Nepali Fans — Schedule, Groups, How to Watch, and Who Will Win

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, and for the first time in the tournament's 96-year history, it will be the biggest one ever staged. Forty-eight teams instead of thirty-two. Three host nations instead of one. One hundred and four matches instead of sixty-four.

If you are following from Nepal, this guide has everything you need in one place. Bookmark it. We will keep it updated throughout the tournament.

When and where is it happening?

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico across sixteen cities. The opening match is Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

For Nepali viewers, the time difference is the main challenge. Most matches played in North America will fall in the late evening, overnight, or early morning Nepal time. Plan your sleep accordingly — and maybe warn your boss.

Why 48 teams changes everything

This is the first World Cup with the expanded format. The forty-eight teams are split into twelve groups of four. The top two from each group advance, along with the eight best third-placed teams, creating a thirty-two-team knockout round.

What does this mean in practice? More teams from Asia, Africa and smaller footballing nations get a chance. More potential for surprises. And a longer, more demanding tournament for the favourites.

The twelve groups

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia. Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland. Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland. Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey. Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador. Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia. Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand. Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay. Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway. Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan. Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia. Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.

The stars to watch

Two names dominate every conversation. Lionel Messi, at 38, captains defending champions Argentina in what is almost certainly his final World Cup. He sits three goals short of the all-time World Cup scoring record. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, leads Portugal in his sixth tournament — a record he shares only with Messi.

Beyond the two legends, watch Kylian Mbappé for France, Erling Haaland's Norway making their debut on this stage, Vinícius Jr and Brazil's attacking firepower, and a young Spain side that plays some of the most attractive football in the world.

How to watch from Nepal

Match broadcasting rights for South Asia are typically held by regional sports networks. Check whether your cable or IPTV provider carries the official broadcaster. Streaming options are also expanding every tournament. Be cautious of illegal streaming sites — they are unreliable and risky. We will publish a dedicated guide on legal viewing options for Nepal before the opening match.

Who actually wins it?

Here is our honest call. France are the strongest squad on paper — extraordinary depth, an easier group, and the hunger of a team that lost the 2022 final. Argentina have Messi and the belief of champions, but no team has retained the trophy since Brazil in 1962. Spain are the dark horse capable of beating anyone. Brazil arrive with something to prove after their Qatar heartbreak. England, as always, will probably break their fans' hearts on penalties.

Our prediction: France lift the trophy on July 19, with Spain or Argentina pushing them in the final.

But football has never once cared about predictions. That is exactly why all of us — in Kathmandu, in Pokhara, in the Gulf, in Australia — will be awake at strange hours for the next six weeks, watching every minute.

The World Cup starts June 11. Pick your team. Set your alarms. Let's go.