The 2026 World Cup kicks off June 11 with a record 48 teams competing across North America.

The tournament features a new format with 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage.

The guide explains the rules, history and global appeal of soccer for newcomers to the sport.

AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.

It’s World Cup season, folks, which means a summer spent watching the very best players on the planet.