Thelargest, most inclusive, and most widespread World Cup tournament in FIFA’s historykicks off with two games in Mexico today.
For the next several weeks, nearly 50 nations will compete in more than 100 games in stadiums spread out across Mexico, the United States, and Canada—the first time FIFA has allowed three countries to co-host the event.
Here is a breakdown (via The Epoch Times) of what to know...
The World Cup begins with a “Group Stage,” which runs from June 11 to June 27, and consists of 72 matches in 16 cities across North America.
Several months prior, all 48 qualifying teams were placed into 12 groups of four.
The top two teams in each group, as well as eight third-place finishers with the best records or most points overall, will advance to a single-game elimination round.
Those surviving 32 teams will drop to 16, then the remaining eight teams will play in the quarter-finals scheduled for July 9, 10, and 11.
The two semi-final matches are set for July 14 and July 15. The two winners will play in the final on July 19, while the two losers will play for third place the day before.
The teams will be spread out to 16 locations across the three North American host nations.
Mexico City kicks things off on June 11 when Mexico hosts South Africa at 3 p.m. ET.
Source: ZeroHedge News
