Anticipation is mounting as we approach the start of the World Cup 2026 and England look to end 60 years of hurt by finally lifting the trophy again.
The tournament gets underway on Thursday, June 11, with Mexico facing South Africa, and concludes on July 19 with the final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. And you can become part of it with our free-to-download sweepstake kit! This happens to be the largest World Cup ever held, spanning three host nations – Mexico, Canada and the USA – and featuring 48 countries. That means greater opportunities to triumph – or fall short – depending on which team you pick and how you approach your own sweepstake.
Daily Star Sport has you sorted ahead of all the drama with a complimentary sweepstake kit, which you can click, download and print to enjoy with mates, family and workmates.
The enlarged tournament structure will witness an enormous 104 matches contested over 39 days.
There’s certainly no lack of compelling narratives leading into the prestigious tournament, with it representing both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s final respective swansongs as they battle for football’s most treasured prize.
For England, this summer signifies a fresh beginning under Thomas Tuchel, though there’s a mounting sense that it’s now or never for the second golden generation to deliver the trophy home for the first time since 1966.
The Three Lions face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in a reasonably kind Group L.
Meanwhile, Scotland clinched their place in the tournament for the first time since 1998 in a thrilling manner. Steve Clarke’s Tartan Army have been pitted against Haiti, Morocco and finally, Brazil, in Group C.
Will you draw a favourite such as Argentina, France, Germany, Portugal, England, Spain or Brazil – sparking envy among your peers?
Or will you end up with the short end of the stick by drawing teams like Cape Verde, Iraq, Curacao, Jordan or Uzbekistan?
Whether you’re left feeling hopeful or regretting your selection, there’s no denying that participating in a sweepstake will heighten the sense of occasion and engagement when teams like Qatar and Switzerland face off in the opening week.