World Cup 2026: The Ultimate Quiz — 50 Questions to Test Your Football Knowledge

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the perfect excuse to test your football knowledge — from the tournament's history to the current squads and the tactical formations of the world's best teams. Here are 50 questions across five categories. How many can you get right?

Category 1: 2026 World Cup Squads & Players (Questions 1-10)

1. Which club does Lamine Yamal play for? (Barcelona). 2. How old is Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2026 World Cup? (41). 3. Which Premier League club does Darwin Núñez play for? (Liverpool). 4. What is Erling Haaland's nationality? (Norwegian). 5. Which nation does Arda Güler represent? (Türkiye). 6. How many goals did Mbappé score at the 2022 World Cup? (8). 7. Which club does Virgil van Dijk captain? (Liverpool). 8. What position does Rodri play for Spain? (Defensive midfielder / pivot). 9. Which nation does Achraf Hakimi represent internationally? (Morocco). 10. How many World Cup appearances will Messi make in 2026? (Six).

Category 2: World Cup History (Questions 11-20)

11. Which nation has won the most World Cups? (Brazil, five). 12. Who scored the 'Goal of the Century' in 1986? (Diego Maradona). 13. In which city was the first ever World Cup played? (Montevideo, Uruguay, 1930). 14. Which nation won the 2018 World Cup? (France). 15. How many goals did Just Fontaine score at the 1958 World Cup — the all-time record for a single tournament? (13). 16. Who is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history? (Miroslav Klose, 16 goals). 17. Which World Cup produced the famous 'Maracanazo'? (1950, Brazil). 18. In which country was the 2002 World Cup co-hosted? (Japan and South Korea). 19. Who won the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot? (Kylian Mbappé). 20. Which nation famously beat Brazil 7-1 on home soil at the 2014 World Cup? (Germany).

Category 3: 2026 Tournament Format (Questions 21-30)

21. How many teams compete at the 2026 World Cup? (48). 22. How many matches are played in total? (104). 23. Which stadium hosts the 2026 World Cup Final? (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey). 24. On what date does the 2026 World Cup Final take place? (July 19, 2026). 25. Which stadium hosts the tournament opener? (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City). 26. How many groups are there in the 2026 group stage? (12). 27. How many host nations are there in 2026? (Three: USA, Canada, Mexico). 28. What is the new knockout round introduced at the 2026 World Cup? (Round of 32). 29. How many third-placed teams advance from the group stage? (Eight). 30. What is the total prize fund for the 2026 World Cup? ($1 billion).

Category 4: Rules & Technology (Questions 31-40)

31. What does VAR stand for? (Video Assistant Referee). 32. What technology generates semi-automated offside decisions at the 2026 World Cup? (AI cameras and the sensor in the match ball / SAOT). 33. How many seconds does a goalkeeper have to hold the ball before it results in a corner in 2026? (8 seconds). 34. What is the new punishment for a player covering their mouth in an on-pitch dispute? (Immediate red card). 35. How long does extra time last in a knockout match? (30 minutes, two periods of 15). 36. What does xG stand for in football analytics? (Expected Goals). 37. How many substitutions are allowed per team in a 2026 World Cup match? (Four, with the fourth allowed during extra time). 38. What rule was introduced after the 1982 Disgrace of Gijón? (Final group stage matches must be played simultaneously). 39. What is the 5-second countdown rule for? (Throw-ins and goal kicks — failure to restart gives possession to the opponent or awards a corner). 40. Which body approves changes to the Laws of the Game? (IFAB — International Football Association Board).

Category 5: The Beautiful Game (Questions 41-50)

41. Which Brazilian is considered the greatest footballer of all time by many? (Pelé). 42. What nationality was Johan Cruyff? (Dutch). 43. Which tournament format did the Netherlands' 1974 campaign popularise? (Total Football). 44. What term describes a player who fakes contact to win a foul? (Simulation or diving). 45. Which nation invented the modern game of football? (England). 46. What does 'jogo bonito' mean? (The beautiful game — Brazil's football philosophy). 47. Which club has won the most UEFA Champions League titles? (Real Madrid). 48. What is the name of the official 2026 World Cup mascot? (Tazuni). 49. In which country is the Estadio Azteca located? (Mexico). 50. Who are the three headline performers confirmed for the 2026 World Cup Final halftime show? (Madonna, Shakira, and BTS).