World Cup 2026 Schedule: Fixtures, Dates, and Match Times

The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule spans 39 days, with 34 match days, beginning with the opening match on June 11, 2026, and concluding with the final on July 19, 2026.

The tournament structure includes three distinct phases: the group stage (June 11-28), featuring 48 matches across 12 groups; the knockout stage (June 30-July 15), comprising 16 Round of 32 matches, eight Round of 16 fixtures, four quarter-finals, and two semi-finals; and the championship phase (July 18-19), with the third-place match and final.

Unlike previous World Cups with 32 teams, the expanded format creates more matches and extends the tournament duration by approximately 10 days. This World Cup 2026 schedule accommodates the increased number of participating nations while maintaining competitive intensity throughout the tournament.

Key milestone dates include the draw ceremony (expected December 2025), ticket sales phases, and the final team announcements. The World Cup 2026 schedule represents FIFA’s most ambitious tournament planning effort to date.

For the first time, three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will jointly host 48 teams competing across 104 matches from Thursday, June 11, 2026, through Sunday, July 19, 2026. This expanded format introduces 12 groups of four teams, creating more opportunities for nations to compete on the world’s biggest stage while delivering unprecedented excitement for fans across North America.

Whether you’re planning to attend matches in person or follow from home, understanding the complete tournament schedule helps you experience every moment of this historic event. This guide provides comprehensive details about match dates, kickoff times, venues, and viewing options to ensure you don’t miss any action.

Tournament Overview: Key Dates and Format

The World Cup 2026 schedule spans 39 days across three countries, featuring an expanded 48-team format that increases total matches from the traditional 64 to 104. The tournament structure includes three distinct phases:

Group Stage: Thursday, June 11 – Saturday, June 27, 2026

• 72 matches across 12 groups
• Each team plays three group stage fixtures
• Top two teams from each group advance automatically
• Eight best third-place teams also progress to knockout rounds

Knockout Stage: Sunday, June 28 – Tuesday, July 7, 2026

• Round of 32 begins on Sunday, June 28
• Round of 16 runs from Saturday, July 4 through Tuesday, July 7
• Single-elimination format with no replays

Championship Phase: Thursday, July 9 – Sunday, July 19, 2026

• Quarter-finals: Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11
• Semi-finals: Tuesday, July 14 and Wednesday, July 15
• Third-place match: Saturday, July 18
• Final: Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey

The opening match features Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 1:00 PM local time (3:00 PM EST). The tournament concludes with the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.

World Cup 2026 Schedule Dates

Match Day #	Date	Time (EST)	Matchup	Group	Venue	City
1	Thu, Jun 11	15:00	Mexico vs South Africa	A	Estadio Azteca	Mexico City
1	Thu, Jun 11	22:00	South Korea vs UEFA Winner D	A	Estadio Akron	Guadalajara
2	Fri, Jun 12	15:00	Canada vs UEFA Winner A	B	BMO Field	Toronto
2	Fri, Jun 12	21:00	USA vs Paraguay	D	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
3	Sat, Jun 13	21:00	Haiti vs Scotland	C	Gillette Stadium	Boston
3	Sat, Jun 13	00:00	Australia vs UEFA Winner C	D	BC Place	Vancouver
3	Sat, Jun 13	18:00	Brazil vs Morocco	C	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
3	Sat, Jun 13	15:00	Qatar vs Switzerland	B	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
4	Sun, Jun 14	19:00	Ivory Coast vs Ecuador	E	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
4	Sun, Jun 14	13:00	Germany vs Curaçao	E	NRG Stadium	Houston
4	Sun, Jun 14	16:00	Netherlands vs Japan	F	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
4	Sun, Jun 14	22:00	UEFA Winner B vs Tunisia	F	Estadio BBVA	Monterrey
5	Mon, Jun 15	18:00	Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay	H	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
5	Mon, Jun 15	12:00	Spain vs Cape Verde	H	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
5	Mon, Jun 15	21:00	Iran vs New Zealand	G	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
5	Mon, Jun 15	15:00	Belgium vs Egypt	G	Lumen Field	Seattle
6	Tue, Jun 16	15:00	France vs Senegal	I	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
6	Tue, Jun 16	18:00	IC Winner 2 vs Norway	I	Gillette Stadium	Boston
6	Tue, Jun 16	21:00	Argentina vs Algeria	J	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
6	Tue, Jun 16	00:00	Austria vs Jordan	J	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
7	Wed, Jun 17	19:00	Ghana vs Panama	L	BMO Field	Toronto
7	Wed, Jun 17	16:00	England vs Croatia	L	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
7	Wed, Jun 17	13:00	Portugal vs IC Winner 1	K	NRG Stadium	Houston
7	Wed, Jun 17	22:00	Uzbekistan vs Colombia	K	Estadio Azteca	Mexico City
8	Thu, Jun 18	12:00	UEFA Winner D vs South Africa	A	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
8	Thu, Jun 18	15:00	Switzerland vs UEFA Winner A	B	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
8	Thu, Jun 18	18:00	Canada vs Qatar	B	BC Place	Vancouver
8	Thu, Jun 18	21:00	Mexico vs South Korea	A	Estadio Akron	Guadalajara
9	Fri, Jun 19	21:00	Brazil vs Haiti	C	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
9	Fri, Jun 19	18:00	Scotland vs Morocco	C	Gillette Stadium	Boston
9	Fri, Jun 19	00:00	UEFA Winner C vs Paraguay	D	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
9	Fri, Jun 19	15:00	USA vs Australia	D	Lumen Field	Seattle
10	Sat, Jun 20	16:00	Germany vs Ivory Coast	E	BMO Field	Toronto
10	Sat, Jun 20	20:00	Ecuador vs Curaçao	E	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
10	Sat, Jun 20	13:00	Netherlands vs UEFA Winner B	F	NRG Stadium	Houston
10	Sat, Jun 20	00:00	Tunisia vs Japan	F	Estadio BBVA	Monterrey
11	Sun, Jun 21	18:00	Uruguay vs Cape Verde	H	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
11	Sun, Jun 21	12:00	Spain vs Saudi Arabia	H	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
11	Sun, Jun 21	15:00	Belgium vs Iran	G	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
11	Sun, Jun 21	21:00	New Zealand vs Egypt	G	BC Place	Vancouver
12	Mon, Jun 22	20:00	Norway vs Senegal	I	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
12	Mon, Jun 22	17:00	France vs IC Winner 2	I	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
12	Mon, Jun 22	13:00	Argentina vs Austria	J	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
12	Mon, Jun 22	23:00	Jordan vs Algeria	J	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
13	Tue, Jun 23	16:00	England vs Ghana	L	Gillette Stadium	Boston
13	Tue, Jun 23	19:00	Panama vs Croatia	L	BMO Field	Toronto
13	Tue, Jun 23	13:00	Portugal vs Uzbekistan	K	NRG Stadium	Houston
13	Tue, Jun 23	22:00	Colombia vs IC Winner 1	K	Estadio Akron	Guadalajara
14	Wed, Jun 24	18:00	Scotland vs Brazil	C	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
14	Wed, Jun 24	18:00	Morocco vs Haiti	C	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
14	Wed, Jun 24	15:00	Switzerland vs Canada	B	BC Place	Vancouver
14	Wed, Jun 24	15:00	UEFA Winner A vs Qatar	B	Lumen Field	Seattle
14	Wed, Jun 24	21:00	UEFA Winner D vs Mexico	A	Estadio Azteca	Mexico City
14	Wed, Jun 24	21:00	South Africa vs South Korea	A	Estadio BBVA	Monterrey
15	Thu, Jun 25	16:00	Curaçao vs Ivory Coast	E	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
15	Thu, Jun 25	16:00	Ecuador vs Germany	E	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
15	Thu, Jun 25	19:00	Japan vs UEFA Winner B	F	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
15	Thu, Jun 25	19:00	Tunisia vs Netherlands	F	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
15	Thu, Jun 25	22:00	UEFA Winner C vs USA	D	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
15	Thu, Jun 25	22:00	Paraguay vs Australia	D	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
16	Fri, Jun 26	15:00	Norway vs France	I	Gillette Stadium	Boston
16	Fri, Jun 26	15:00	Senegal vs IC Winner 2	I	BMO Field	Toronto
16	Fri, Jun 26	23:00	Egypt vs Iran	G	Lumen Field	Seattle
16	Fri, Jun 26	23:00	New Zealand vs Belgium	G	BC Place	Vancouver
16	Fri, Jun 26	20:00	Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia	H	NRG Stadium	Houston
16	Fri, Jun 26	20:00	Uruguay vs Spain	H	Estadio Akron	Guadalajara
17	Sat, Jun 27	17:00	Panama vs England	L	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
17	Sat, Jun 27	17:00	Croatia vs Ghana	L	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
17	Sat, Jun 27	22:00	Algeria vs Austria	J	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
17	Sat, Jun 27	22:00	Jordan vs Argentina	J	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
17	Sat, Jun 27	19:30	Colombia vs Portugal	K	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
17	Sat, Jun 27	19:30	IC Winner 1 vs Uzbekistan	K	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
18	Sun, Jun 28	15:00	Group A 2nd vs Group B 2nd	R32	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
19	Mon, Jun 29	16:30	Group E 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Gillette Stadium	Boston
19	Mon, Jun 29	21:00	Group F 1st vs Group C 2nd	R32	Estadio BBVA	Monterrey
19	Mon, Jun 29	13:00	Group C 1st vs Group F 2nd	R32	NRG Stadium	Houston
20	Tue, Jun 30	17:00	Group I 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
20	Tue, Jun 30	13:00	Group E 2nd vs Group I 2nd	R32	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
20	Tue, Jun 30	21:00	Group A 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Estadio Azteca	Mexico City
21	Wed, Jul 1	12:00	Group L 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
21	Wed, Jul 1	20:00	Group D 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Levi’s Stadium	San Francisco Bay Area
21	Wed, Jul 1	16:00	Group G 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Lumen Field	Seattle
22	Thu, Jul 2	19:00	Group K 2nd vs Group L 2nd	R32	BMO Field	Toronto
22	Thu, Jul 2	15:00	Group H 1st vs Group J 2nd	R32	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
22	Thu, Jul 2	23:00	Group B 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	BC Place	Vancouver
23	Fri, Jul 3	18:00	Group J 1st vs Group H 2nd	R32	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
23	Fri, Jul 3	21:30	Group K 1st vs 3rd Place	R32	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
23	Fri, Jul 3	14:00	Group D 2nd vs Group G 2nd	R32	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
24	Sat, Jul 4	17:00	Match 74 Winner vs Match 77 Winner	R16	Lincoln Financial Field	Philadelphia
24	Sat, Jul 4	13:00	Match 73 Winner vs Match 75 Winner	R16	NRG Stadium	Houston
25	Sun, Jul 5	16:00	Match 76 Winner vs Match 78 Winner	R16	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey
25	Sun, Jul 5	20:00	Match 79 Winner vs Match 80 Winner	R16	Estadio Azteca	Mexico City
26	Mon, Jul 6	15:00	Match 83 Winner vs Match 84 Winner	R16	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
26	Mon, Jul 6	20:00	Match 81 Winner vs Match 82 Winner	R16	Lumen Field	Seattle
27	Tue, Jul 7	12:00	Match 86 Winner vs Match 88 Winner	R16	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
27	Tue, Jul 7	16:00	Match 85 Winner vs Match 87 Winner	R16	BC Place	Vancouver
28	Thu, Jul 9	16:00	Match 89 Winner vs Match 90 Winner	QF	Gillette Stadium	Boston
29	Fri, Jul 10	15:00	Match 93 Winner vs Match 94 Winner	QF	SoFi Stadium	Los Angeles
30	Sat, Jul 11	17:00	Match 91 Winner vs Match 92 Winner	QF	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
30	Sat, Jul 11	21:00	Match 95 Winner vs Match 96 Winner	QF	Arrowhead Stadium	Kansas City
31	Tue, Jul 14	15:00	Match 97 Winner vs Match 98 Winner	SF	AT&T Stadium	Dallas
32	Wed, Jul 15	15:00	Match 99 Winner vs Match 100 Winner	SF	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	Atlanta
33	Sat, Jul 18	17:00	Third Place Match	3RD	Hard Rock Stadium	Miami
34	Sun, Jul 19	15:00	Final	FINAL	MetLife Stadium	New York/New Jersey

Opening Week Highlights (June 11-17, 2026)

The tournament kicks off with an exciting opening week featuring all 48 teams making their debuts. Mexico inaugurates the competition against South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST. This historic venue, which previously hosted World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, provides a fitting stage for the expanded tournament’s first match.

The United States enters the competition on Friday, June 12, 2026, facing Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at 9:00 PM EST. Canada makes its home debut the same day, taking on a UEFA playoff winner at BMO Field in Toronto at 3:00 PM EST. Brazil’s highly anticipated opening match against Morocco occurs on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey at 6:00 PM EST.

European powerhouses begin their campaigns throughout the opening week. England faces Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas at 4:00 PM EST, while France plays Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at MetLife Stadium at 3:00 PM EST. Germany takes on Curaçao on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at NRG Stadium in Houston at 1:00 PM EST.

Mid-Tournament Schedule (June 18-27, 2026)

The group stage intensifies during the second and third matchdays as teams battle for advancement to the knockout rounds. Critical matches occur simultaneously on the final group stage day, Saturday, June 27, 2026, with multiple groups concluding their play.

Notable fixtures during this period include:

• USA vs Australia: Friday, June 19, 2026, at Lumen Field in Seattle at 3:00 PM EST
• Brazil vs Haiti: Friday, June 19, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 9:00 PM EST
• Argentina vs Austria: Monday, June 22, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas at 1:00 PM EST
• England vs Ghana: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Boston at 4:00 PM EST
• Colombia vs Portugal: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 7:30 PM EST

The final matchday on June 27 features crucial decisive matches, including Panama vs England, Algeria vs Austria, and Jordan vs Argentina, all scheduled simultaneously to maintain competitive integrity.

Knockout Stage Schedule and Format

Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3, 2026)

The expanded format introduces a Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history, featuring the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers. This knockout stage begins on Sunday, June 28, 2026, and runs through Friday, July 3, 2026.

Key Round of 32 matches include:

• Sunday, June 28: Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (3:00 PM EST)
• Monday, June 29: Three matches across Boston, Monterrey, and Houston
• Tuesday, June 30: Three matches, including a potential USA advancement match
• Wednesday, July 1: Three matches in Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle
• Thursday, July 2: Three matches featuring Toronto, Los Angeles, and Vancouver
• Friday, July 3: Final three Round of 32 matches in Miami, Kansas City, and Dallas

The Round of 32 format ensures more teams experience knockout soccer while maintaining the tournament’s competitive intensity. Rest periods between matches allow teams adequate recovery time for optimal performance.

Round of 16 (July 4-7, 2026)

The traditional Round of 16 takes place from Saturday, July 4, through Tuesday, July 7, 2026, narrowing the field from 16 to 8 teams. These matches occur across major stadiums in Philadelphia, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Mexico City, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, and Vancouver.

The Round of 16 schedule provides American fans with matches on Independence Day weekend, creating a festive atmosphere, particularly at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field and Houston’s NRG Stadium on July 4.

Quarter-Finals (July 9-11, 2026)

Four quarter-final matches determine the tournament’s final four teams:

• Thursday, July 9: Gillette Stadium, Boston at 4:00 PM EST
• Friday, July 10: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles at 3:00 PM EST
• Saturday, July 11: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, at 5:00 PM EST
• Saturday, July 11: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City at 9:00 PM EST

These venues represent some of North America’s premier sporting facilities, each offering unique atmospheres for these crucial matches.

Semi-Finals (July 14-15, 2026)

Two semi-final matches determine which nations compete for the championship:

• Tuesday, July 14: AT&T Stadium, Dallas at 3:00 PM EST
• Wednesday, July 15: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta at 3:00 PM EST

Both stadiums feature retractable roofs and climate control, ensuring optimal playing conditions regardless of summer weather.

Third Place Match and Final (July 18-19, 2026)

The tournament concludes with:

• Third Place Match: Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, at 5:00 PM EST
• Final: Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey at 3:00 PM EST

MetLife Stadium, with its capacity exceeding 82,000 spectators, provides a grand stage for crowning the 2026 World Cup champion.

Host Cities and Venue Details

United States Host Cities

East Coast Venues:

• MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey): Hosts the final plus six additional matches. Capacity: 82,500. Known for hosting NFL’s Giants and Jets.
• Gillette Stadium (Boston): Six matches including a quarter-final. Capacity: 65,878. Home of New England Patriots and Revolution.
• Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia): Six matches including Round of 16. Capacity: 69,796. Eagles’ home stadium with passionate fan base.

Southern Venues:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): Seven matches including a semi-final. Capacity: 71,000. Features retractable roof and innovative design.
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): Six matches including third-place match. Capacity: 65,326. Dolphins’ home with open-air design.

Central Venues:

• AT&T Stadium (Dallas): Eight matches including a semi-final. Capacity: 80,000. Cowboys’ state-of-the-art facility.
• Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City): Six matches including a quarter-final. Capacity: 76,416. Known for electric atmosphere.
• NRG Stadium (Houston): Seven matches including Round of 16. Capacity: 72,220. Texans’ home with retractable roof.

Western Venues:

• SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles): Eight matches including a quarter-final. Capacity: 70,240. Newest NFL stadium, opened 2020.
• Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area): Six matches. Capacity: 68,500. 49ers’ home in Silicon Valley.
• Lumen Field (Seattle): Six matches including Round of 16. Capacity: 69,000. Seahawks and Sounders’ home with renowned crowd noise.

Canada Host Cities

BMO Field (Toronto, Ontario): Six matches including Round of 32. Capacity: 45,736 (expanded for World Cup). Toronto FC and Argonauts’ home venue. Toronto serves as Canada’s primary World Cup host city, offering multicultural atmosphere and modern infrastructure.

BC Place (Vancouver, British Columbia): Six matches including Round of 16. Capacity: 54,500. Features retractable roof. Home to Whitecaps and BC Lions. Vancouver provides Pacific Northwest setting with stunning natural beauty.

Mexico Host Cities

Estadio Azteca (Mexico City): Five matches including opening match and Round of 16. Capacity: 87,523. Iconic venue with rich World Cup history, having hosted two previous finals (1970, 1986). Mexico City’s high altitude presents unique challenges for teams.

Estadio Akron (Guadalajara): Four matches. Capacity: 46,232. Modern facility opened in 2010, home to Chivas. Guadalajara represents Mexico’s cultural heartland.

Estadio BBVA (Monterrey): Four matches including Round of 32. Capacity: 53,500. Contemporary stadium known for impressive design and acoustics.

How to Watch World Cup 2026 Matches

United States Broadcast and Streaming

FOX Sports and Telemundo hold exclusive English and Spanish-language broadcast rights in the United States. Coverage includes:

FOX Sports Coverage:

• All 104 matches broadcast across FOX and FS1
• Comprehensive pre-match and post-match analysis
• Streaming available via FOX Sports app and website
• 4K broadcasts for select matches

Telemundo/Universo Coverage:

• Complete Spanish-language coverage
• Streaming through Peacock platform
• Traditional broadcast on Telemundo and Universo networks

Canada Broadcast Options

Bell Media properties provide Canadian coverage:

• TSN: English-language broadcasts
• RDS: French-language broadcasts
• Streaming available through TSN+ and RDS Direct platforms

Mexico Broadcast Coverage

Mexican viewers access matches through:

• Televisa: Traditional broadcast coverage
• TV Azteca: Complementary coverage
• Online streaming through affiliated digital platforms

International Viewing

Broadcasting rights vary by country. Major international broadcasters include BBC and ITV (United Kingdom), ARD and ZDF (Germany), TF1 and beIN Sports (France), and various other national broadcasters worldwide. FIFA’s official website provides country-specific broadcast information closer to the tournament.

World Cup 2026 Groups Breakdown

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Winner D

Mexico enters as automatic host qualifier with high expectations from passionate home fans. South Africa returns to the World Cup stage seeking to advance past the group stage for the first time since 2010. South Korea brings experienced Asian representation with strong defensive organization. The UEFA Winner D (Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, or North Macedonia) adds European quality.

Key Matches:

• Mexico vs South Africa (Opening Match): Thursday, June 11, 2026
• Mexico vs South Korea: Thursday, June 18, 2026

Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Winner A

Canada hosts matches in Toronto and Vancouver, seeking its first World Cup victory since 1986. Switzerland consistently reaches knockout rounds with disciplined tactical approach. Qatar participates as 2022 host nation with continued development program. The UEFA Winner A (Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, or Northern Ireland) could dramatically alter group dynamics depending on qualification outcome.

Key Matches:

• Canada vs UEFA Winner A: Friday, June 12, 2026
• Switzerland vs Canada: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Brazil enters as perennial championship contender with record five World Cup titles. Morocco builds on impressive 2022 semi-final run with talented squad. Haiti makes rare World Cup appearance as CONCACAF qualifier. Scotland returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, bringing passionate support.

Key Matches:

• Brazil vs Morocco: Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Scotland vs Brazil: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Winner C

USA hosts majority of tournament matches with home advantage. Paraguay returns to World Cup with strong South American pedigree. Australia represents Oceania/Asia with physical, organized play style. The UEFA Winner C (Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, or Romania) adds competitive European element.

Key Matches:

• USA vs Paraguay: Friday, June 12, 2026
• USA vs Australia: Friday, June 19, 2026
• UEFA Winner C vs USA: Thursday, June 25, 2026

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador

Germany seeks redemption after early 2018 exit and 2022 group stage disappointment. Curaçao makes historic World Cup debut as Caribbean nation. Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) returns with talented African squad. Ecuador continues strong South American World Cup tradition.

Key Matches:

• Germany vs Curaçao: Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Germany vs Côte d’Ivoire: Saturday, June 20, 2026
• Ecuador vs Germany: Thursday, June 25, 2026

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Winner B

Netherlands brings attacking philosophy and recent World Cup success (2022 quarter-finals). Japan represents Asian confederation with technical, disciplined approach. Tunisia returns as African qualifier. The UEFA Winner B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania) determines group’s competitive balance.

Key Matches:

• Netherlands vs Japan: Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Tunisia vs Netherlands: Thursday, June 25, 2026

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Belgium features golden generation seeking World Cup breakthrough. Egypt returns to World Cup with Mohamed Salah potentially leading squad. Iran brings defensive solidity from Asian confederation. New Zealand represents Oceania seeking first knockout stage appearance.

Key Matches:

• Belgium vs Egypt: Monday, June 15, 2026
• Belgium vs Iran: Sunday, June 21, 2026
• New Zealand vs Belgium: Friday, June 26, 2026

Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Spain aims to recapture 2010 championship form with technical possession style. Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) makes World Cup debut as African island nation. Saudi Arabia continues growth under significant investment program. Uruguay brings two-time World Cup champion pedigree.

Key Matches:

• Spain vs Cabo Verde: Monday, June 15, 2026
• Uruguay vs Spain: Friday, June 26, 2026

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, IC Winner 2

France defends 2018 title with deep talent pool. Senegal represents African football with 2022 round of 16 appearance. Norway returns to World Cup with emerging talent including Erling Haaland. IC Winner 2 (Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname) adds intercontinental playoff qualifier.

Key Matches:

• France vs Senegal: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
• Norway vs France: Friday, June 26, 2026

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Argentina enters as defending 2022 champion led by Lionel Messi (if participating). Algeria seeks to advance from group stage with African representation. Austria returns to World Cup with improved European squad. Jordan makes rare World Cup appearance from Asian confederation.

Key Matches:

• Argentina vs Algeria: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
• Argentina vs Austria: Monday, June 22, 2026
• Jordan vs Argentina: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, IC Winner 1

Portugal features Cristiano Ronaldo potentially in final World Cup appearance. Uzbekistan makes historic first World Cup appearance from Central Asia. Colombia returns with talented South American squad. IC Winner 1 (DR Congo, New Caledonia, or Jamaica) completes group via intercontinental playoff.

Key Matches:

• Portugal vs IC Winner 1: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Colombia vs Portugal: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

England seeks first World Cup title since 1966 with talented young squad. Croatia features experienced players from 2018 final and 2022 semi-final runs. Ghana represents African football with passionate support. Panama returns to World Cup after 2018 debut.

Key Matches:

• England vs Croatia: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• England vs Ghana: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
• Panama vs England: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Ticket Information and Attendance Planning

Official Ticket Sales Process

FIFA manages all official World Cup 2026 ticket sales through their dedicated platform at fifa.com. The multi-phase sales process typically begins approximately 12-18 months before the tournament:

Phase 1 (Expected Late 2024/Early 2025):

• Team-specific ticket packages
• Venue-specific ticket packages
• Stadium category packages
• Priority access for host country residents

Phase 2 (Expected Mid-2025):

• Individual match tickets
• General public sales
• Last-minute availability phase

Phase 3 (Expected Early 2026):

• Final ticket release
• Resale platform for legitimate ticket transfers

Ticket Pricing Structure

While official pricing awaits FIFA announcement, expect tiered structures based on:

• Match significance: Group stage matches cost less than knockout rounds
• Stadium location: Premium venues command higher prices
• Seating categories: Categories 1-4 with varying sightlines and amenities

Estimated price ranges (based on previous tournaments):

• Group stage: $50-$400
• Round of 32/16: $100-$600
• Quarter-finals: $200-$800
• Semi-finals: $300-$1,000
• Final: $500-$2,000+

Stadium Access and Match Day Planning

Transportation: Each host city implements dedicated World Cup transportation plans including:

• Expanded public transit service
• Designated fan shuttle routes
• Park-and-ride facilities
• Pedestrian zones near stadiums

Entry Requirements:

• Valid match ticket (digital or physical)
• Government-issued photo identification
• Compliance with venue security policies
• No large bags or prohibited items

Accessibility Services: All venues provide comprehensive accessibility accommodations including wheelchair-accessible seating, assistive listening devices, accessible restrooms, and dedicated assistance staff.

Time Zones and Scheduling Considerations

Understanding Match Times Across Regions

The three-nation hosting arrangement creates multiple time zone considerations:

Eastern Time (ET):

• New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
• Boston (Gillette Stadium)
• Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
• Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
• Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
• Toronto (BMO Field)

Central Time (CT – 1 hour behind ET):

• Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
• Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
• Houston (NRG Stadium)

Mountain Time (MT – 2 hours behind ET): No World Cup 2026 venues

Pacific Time (PT – 3 hours behind ET):

• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
• San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
• Seattle (Lumen Field)
• Vancouver (BC Place)

Mexico Time Zones:

• Mexico City, Guadalajara: Central Time (same as US CT)
• Monterrey: Central Time

Optimal Viewing Times for International Audiences

European Viewers: Most matches occur during evening/night hours in Europe. Group stage matches scheduled at 12:00-15:00 EST translate to 17:00-20:00 GMT, suitable for European audiences.

Asian Viewers: Morning and afternoon EST matches (12:00-18:00 EST) occur during late night/early morning in Asia (01:00-07:00 JST), presenting viewing challenges for Asian fans.

South American Viewers: Time zones align favorably, with most matches occurring during afternoon/evening hours across South America.

Travel Planning for Multiple Countries

Visa Requirements and Border Crossings

United States:

• Visa Waiver Program countries: ESTA required
• Other nationalities: B-2 tourist visa required
• Apply well in advance due to potential high demand

Canada:

• eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for visa-exempt countries
• Visitor visa for other nationalities
• Separate from US visa requirements

Mexico:

• Visa-free entry for many nationalities
• FMM (tourist card) required for stays over 7 days
• Check specific requirements based on citizenship

Multi-Country Planning: Attending matches across borders requires valid documents for each country. Allow extra time for border crossings, particularly between US and Canada/Mexico.

Accommodation Strategies

Booking Timeline:

• 18-24 months before: Reserve accommodations in host cities
• 6-12 months before: Secure backup options and flexible cancellation
• 1-3 months before: Monitor availability for last-minute deals

Accommodation Options:

• Hotels near stadiums (book earliest)
• Airbnb/vacation rentals for flexible stays
• Hostels for budget-conscious travelers
• Suburban hotels with transit connections

Multi-City Tours: Consider positioning yourself in central locations:

• Base in New York/New Jersey for East Coast matches
• Dallas or Kansas City for Central venues
• Los Angeles for West Coast accessibility
• Toronto for Canadian matches with US proximity

Transportation Between Host Cities

Domestic Flights: Major carriers offer extensive connections between host cities. Book early for competitive pricing during tournament period.

Train Travel: Limited options in North America compared to Europe. Amtrak services available between some East Coast cities.

Rental Cars: Provides flexibility but requires advance booking. Consider one-way rentals for multi-city trips.

Intercity Buses: Budget option for shorter distances between nearby host cities.

Tournament Statistics and Historical Context

Expansion Impact Numbers

The World Cup 2026 schedule represents significant growth:

• 104 total matches (63% increase from 64-match format)
• 48 participating teams (50% increase from 32-team format)
• 39 tournament days (compared to 32 days for previous tournaments)
• 16 host cities (most in World Cup history)
• 3 host countries (first tri-nation hosting arrangement)

Host City Participation

Match Distribution by Country:

• United States: 78 matches (75%)
• Canada: 13 matches (12.5%)
• Mexico: 13 matches (12.5%)

Matches per Stadium:

• AT&T Stadium (Dallas): 9 matches
• SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles): 8 matches
• MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey): 8 matches
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): 7 matches
• NRG Stadium (Houston): 7 matches
• Other venues: 4-6 matches each

Attendance Projections

Combined stadium capacities exceed 1.1 million total seats across all matches. FIFA projects:

• Total attendance: Approximately 5-6 million spectators
• Average attendance: 50,000+ per match
• Final attendance: 82,000+ at MetLife Stadium
• Economic impact: Over $5 billion across host cities

World Cup 2026 Schedule Frequently Asked Questions

World Cup 2026 Tournament Preparation Timeline

Now – December 2025:

• Monitor team qualification progress
• Research potential travel routes and accommodation options
• Register for FIFA ticketing system
• Set calendar reminders for ticket sale dates

January – March 2026:

• Confirm team qualifications complete
• Watch draw ceremony (expected December 2025)
• Complete ticket purchases
• Finalize accommodation bookings
• Arrange travel documents (visas, ESTA, eTA)

April – May 2026:

• Book transportation between host cities
• Plan specific match attendance based on team draws
• Review match day logistics for each venue
• Download official FIFA World Cup app

June 2026:

• Arrive in host cities with adequate buffer time
• Attend matches and experience fan zones
• Monitor real-time schedule adjustments
• Follow team progressions through knockout rounds

Conclusion

The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule creates unprecedented opportunities for soccer fans across North America and worldwide to experience the beautiful game’s pinnacle event. With 104 matches spanning three countries and 16 host cities, this expanded tournament offers more access points than any previous World Cup.

Understanding the complete match schedule empowers fans to plan optimal viewing experiences, whether attending in person or following from home. The group stage runs from Thursday, June 11 through Saturday, June 27, 2026, followed by knockout rounds culminating in the final on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium.

Bookmark this comprehensive World Cup 2026 schedule resource and check regularly for updates as FIFA releases additional details about kickoff times, broadcast schedules, and ticket availability. The countdown to this historic tri-nation tournament continues, promising unforgettable moments across North America’s greatest sporting venues.

Whether you support traditional powerhouses like Brazil, Germany, France, and Argentina, host nations USA, Canada, and Mexico, or emerging soccer nations making their World Cup debuts, the World Cup 2026 schedule provides a roadmap to experiencing soccer’s most prestigious tournament. Start planning now to ensure you don’t miss any action from this groundbreaking competition that will define soccer in North America for generations to come.