After Tuesday’s playoff matches decided the final six spots, the tournament field is set. We answered 48 questions as the countdown to 11 June begins
A
fter Tuesday’s playoff matches decided the final six spots, the World Cup field is set. Forty-eight teams will come to North America this summer for the 23rd edition of the biggest sporting event on the planet.
The tournament kicks off 11 June in Mexico City and runs until the final on 19 July in New Jersey, comprising 104 matches across the United States, Mexico and Canada. To mark the completion of the field of 48, Guardian writers answered 48 questions on topics from World Cup history and the US men’s national team to Messi, Ronaldo and mascots.
This World Cup will feature 48 teams, the most in the tournament’s history. The three host countries, the US, Mexico and Canada, qualified automatically. Spain, the current No 1 in Fifa’s rankings, and recent champions Argentina and France are heavy-hitters. Four teams will make their World Cup debuts. New Zealand (No 85) are the lowest-ranked team in the field. Among the teams who won’t be there: four-time champion Italy. EB
