It's the World Cup's world and we're just living in it?At least, that's how it may feel for the next six weeks.The planet's largest sporting event has officially begun in North America with a majority of games happening across the 11 host cities in the U.S.With a record 48 teams and a whopping 1,248 players, there's an endless number of facts and figures about the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
But don't worry.We've gathered some of the top stats to know before you start watching the games.Heading into his first World Cup ever, Scotland's Craig Gordon will be competing as the oldest footballer on the global stage and second oldest in World Cup history at 43 years old.But he's far from the only quadragenarian competing.
As of June 11, there are seven players in their 40s with one of soccer's greats Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal being the second oldest.Ronaldo, 41, is heading to his sixth World Cup without the major trophy yet to his name.Other notable 40-somethings on the field will be Luka Modrić of Croatia and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico — both of whom are 40.
(Uruguay's Fernando Muslera will join the 40s club on June 16.)More common than quadragenarians at the World Cup are the number of players not old enough to buy alcohol in the U.S.Meanwhile, the youngest is not yet of age to get a tattoo without a parent's permission.That's none other than 17-year-old Gilberto Mora of Mexico.
Mora will be the youngest player ever to represent Mexico at the World Cup.But he's still about six months older than the youngest footballer ever to appear on the global stage.
That title has been held by Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside since 1982.The U.S.team has competed on soccer's biggest stage a total of 12 times — including at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, where the U.S.
placed third out of 13.Since then, the country's best run was in 2002 when the U.S.made it to the quarterfinals — defeating Portugal and Mexico before losing to Germany and finishing in 8th.The U.S.
came ...