World Cup 2026 Schedule: The Complete Guide
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — 39 days of football across three nations. For the first time in history, 48 teams compete in 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This is the most comprehensive schedule guide available, covering every phase of the tournament.
Tournament Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Start Date | June 11, 2026 |
| End Date | July 19, 2026 |
| Duration | 39 days |
| Total Matches | 104 |
| Teams | 48 |
| Groups | 12 |
| Host Countries | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Host Cities | 16 |
| Opening Match | Mexico vs Ecuador — Estadio Azteca |
| Final | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
Phase 1: Group Stage (June 11 – June 27)
The group stage features 72 matches across 12 groups (A through L), with each team playing 3 matches.
Schedule Structure
- June 11–13: Matchday 1 (all groups begin)
- June 14–20: Matchday 2
- June 24–27: Matchday 3 (final group matches — synchronized kick-offs per group)
Group Stage Format
- 12 groups of 4 teams
- Each team plays 3 matches (round-robin)
- Top 2 from each group advance (24 teams)
- Best 8 third-placed teams also advance (8 teams)
- Total advancing: 32 teams
Key Group Stage Dates
June 11 — Opening Day Mexico vs Ecuador — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (18:00 local / 19:00 ET)
The opening ceremony takes place ~60 minutes before kick-off. Don't miss it.
June 12 — USA & Canada Open - USA vs [Opponent] — SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles - Canada vs [Opponent] — BMO Field, Toronto
June 27 — Final Group Stage Matches All 12 groups complete their final matchday simultaneously.
Phase 2: Round of 32 (June 29 – July 4)
The new Round of 32 is unique to the 2026 format — the first time this round exists in World Cup history.
| Date | Matches |
|---|---|
| June 29–30 | R32 matches 1–8 |
| July 1–2 | R32 matches 9–16 |
| July 3–4 | R32 matches 17–32 |
Format: Group winners vs best third-placed teams; runners-up vs runners-up
See the complete bracket guide for how the Round of 32 bracket is structured.
Phase 3: Round of 16 (July 6–9)
| Date | Matches |
|---|---|
| July 6 | R16 matches 1–2 |
| July 7 | R16 matches 3–4 |
| July 8 | R16 matches 5–6 |
| July 9 | R16 matches 7–8 |
Phase 4: Quarter-Finals (July 11–12)
| Date | Matches |
|---|---|
| July 11 | QF 1 & QF 2 |
| July 12 | QF 3 & QF 4 |
Phase 5: Semi-Finals (July 14–15)
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| July 14 | Semi-Final 1 |
| July 15 | Semi-Final 2 |
Phase 6: Third Place & Final (July 18–19)
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 18 | Third Place Match | MetLife Stadium, NJ |
| July 19 | THE FINAL | MetLife Stadium, NJ |
Schedule by Host City
United States (11 cities)
New York/New Jersey — MetLife Stadium - Capacity: 82,500 - Matches: 8 (including Final and Semi-Final) - Key dates: Group stage from June 13; Final July 19
Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium - Capacity: 70,240 - Matches: 8 (including Semi-Final)
Dallas — AT&T Stadium - Capacity: 80,000 - Matches: 7 (including Quarter-Final)
San Francisco — Levi's Stadium | Miami — Hard Rock Stadium | Seattle — Lumen Field | Boston — Gillette Stadium | Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium | Houston — NRG Stadium | Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field - 6 matches each
Canada (2 cities)
Vancouver — BC Place (6 matches, incl. Quarter-Final) | Toronto — BMO Field (6 matches)
Mexico (3 cities)
Mexico City — Estadio Azteca (5 matches, incl. Opening Match — June 11) Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (5 matches) | Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (5 matches)
The 12 Groups (2026 Draw Results)
The official draw took place on December 5, 2025 in Miami.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, Ecuador, [Team], [Team] |
| B | USA, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| C | Canada, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| D | Brazil, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| E | France, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| F | Argentina, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| G | England, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde |
| I | Germany, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| J | Portugal, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| K | Netherlands, [Team], [Team], [Team] |
| L | [Team], [Team], [Team], [Team] |
For the complete group draw analysis including death groups and dark horses, see our groups complete guide.
How to Watch: Broadcast Schedule
For the full breakdown by country, see our complete guide on how to watch World Cup 2026.
Quick Reference
- USA: Fox Sports (English) / Telemundo (Spanish)
- UK: BBC / ITV (both free)
- Brazil: Globo (free) / SporTV
- Mexico: Televisa / TV Azteca (free)
Key Dates to Mark in Your Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 11 | Tournament opens — Opening Ceremony + Mexico vs Ecuador |
| June 12 | USA and Canada debut |
| June 27 | Group stage ends |
| June 29 | Round of 32 begins |
| July 4 | Round of 32 ends |
| July 6–9 | Round of 16 |
| July 11–12 | Quarter-Finals |
| July 14–15 | Semi-Finals |
| July 18 | Third Place Match |
| July 19 | World Cup Final — MetLife Stadium |
Tickets for Key Matches
Planning to attend? See our complete tickets guide for prices, how to buy, and tips to secure your seat. The Final at MetLife Stadium starts at
,500.Stars to Watch Throughout the Schedule
- Messi & Ronaldo — almost certainly their last World Cup
- Kylian Mbappé — Golden Boot favorite and France's main threat
- Vinicius Jr. — Brazil's attacking star
Check the odds and predictions for who's expected to go deepest in the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
June 11, 2026, with Mexico playing the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the World Cup 2026 Final?
July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York area).
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
104 total matches — 72 in the group stage and 32 in the knockout rounds.
How long is the 2026 World Cup?
39 days, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
What time do World Cup 2026 matches kick off?
Match times vary by city and time zone. Most matches kick off at 12:00, 15:00, or 18:00 local time. Check the official calendar for exact times.
How many matches does each team play minimum?
Each team plays at least 3 group stage matches. Teams that advance play up to 7 matches total (to win the championship).
What is the Round of 32?
A new knockout round unique to 2026. See the bracket guide for full details.