Kings World Cup Nations 2026: Rules, schedule, format, famous faces and where to watch

Kings World Cup Nations is a tournament ran by World Cup winner Gerard Pique, where the different Kings Leagues face off to find out who is the best. After winning the first nations tournament in Italy last year, champions Brazil are hosting the 2026 competition.

The tournament is now into is knockout stage, after a competitive group stage, which decided who would automatically go into the quarter-final or who would have to go to the last-chance round and who was eliminated. 

What are the rules of the Kings World Cup Nations

Kings League is seven a-side but played seven-a-side on a smaller pitch, with two 20-minute halves. However, you've never seen it played like this before.

The first reason behind is that there are not seven players per side on the actual pitch until five minutes into a match. Each team starts a match with just two players, adding another player after each passing minute.

There are also no draws, while there are sin bins instead of traditional yellow cards, unlimited substitutions and late-game double-goal periods.

There are also power-ups in the form of 'secret cards' that allow the teams the ability to do add numerous advantages. This includes the 'Star Player' card, which means the next goal from a selected player will count as two. Cards can also remove players from the opposing team.

There is also button that gives the club President the chance to step onto the pitch and take a penalty.

These are not the only innovative rules, watch the video below to get the full picture. 

What is the schedule of the Kings World Cup Nations 2026?

The tournament started on the January 1, 2026, and will end on 17th of January.

• Last-chance - January 12
• Quarterfinals  - January 13-14
• Semifinals - January 15
• Final - January 17

What is the format of the Kings World Cup Nations 2026

There are 20 teams divided into five groups with four teams in each. At the end the group stage, when everyone has played each other, the group winners will go into the quarter-finals automatically.

The teams into the quarter-finals include Chile, Germany, Italy, Spain and Mexico.

The runners up will play each other in a last-chance round, where only one team that finished third in their group will also compete, in this case Argentina managed that honour. 

The teams who will play in the last chance round include Netherlands, United States, France, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Argentina. 

Although the Kings Leagues do have a Queens League, there is no women's draw in the competition. 

The famous faces you may recognise at Kings World Cup Nations 2026

Gerard Pique, who started Kings League, is not the only famous face, with another former Barcelona player in Sergio Aguero captaining his Argentina side.

He is joined by Balon D'or winning Kaka, Lewendoski, Arturo Vidal and James Rodriguez, all hoping their nations can win the trophy.(Getty Images)

Unfortunately for the Polish striker Lewndoski, his country are already out. 

Playing in the tournament is also Joe van der Sar, son of the Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar, and Driss Zidane, the nephew of arguably the best midfielder ever, Zinedine Zidane, and who is part of the Algeria squad.

We may also see an appearance from Jynxi, popular streamer and owner of his own Kings League team. The 24-year-old is heavily involved with the US team's set-up. 

Where to watch the Kings World Cup Nations 2026

You can watch the whole Kings World Cup Nations tournament live and for FREE on DAZN. 

If you do not already have a free account or subscription, you just need an email address to gain access to all the action. 

You can watch  it all via the DAZN App, available on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles and web browsers.

If you do not have the App already then just follow these instructions....

• Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
• On a laptop or PC  visit www.DAZN.com/home
• Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
• Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google or Facebook options
• You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf and FIFA+
• Then find the Kings World Cup Nations page to watch