The World Cup 2026 schedule covers all 104 matches from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. This page has every match date, kickoff time in Eastern Time and venue for all stages, including the full knockout bracket. Bookmark it for quick reference on match days.
Forty-eight teams play in 12 groups. A brand new Round of 32 adds 16 extra knockout games. That makes this the biggest World Cup ever. Four nations play at a World Cup for the first time: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Quick Facts
- Dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026 (39 days)
- Total Matches: 104
- Teams: 48 teams in 12 groups of 4
- Host Countries: USA (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities), Canada (2 cities)
- Opening Match: Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11, 3:00 PM ET, Mexico City Stadium
- World Cup Final: July 19, 2026, 3:00 PM ET, New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife)
- Defending Champions: Argentina (2022)
- Official Match Ball: Trionda by Adidas
- World Cup Debutants: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan
- US Broadcasters: FOX (70 matches) and FS1 (34 matches) in English; Telemundo (92 matches) and Universo (12 matches) in Spanish; Peacock streams all 104 in Spanish
Table of Contents
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule: All 72 Matches
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27. Each group plays its final two matches at the same time to keep results fair. Tunisia vs. Japan in Monterrey will be the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Mexican local kickoff is 10:00 PM CST on Saturday June 20, which rolls into 12:00 AM ET on Sunday June 21 for Eastern Time viewers.
Three fixtures stand out. England face Croatia in Dallas on June 17, a rematch of their 2018 semifinal. Brazil meet Morocco at MetLife on June 13. Argentina open against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.
Matchday 1 (June 11 to 17)
| Date | Group | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jun. 11 | A | Mexico vs. South Africa | 3:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
| Thu, Jun. 11 | A | South Korea vs. Czechia | 10:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan |
| Fri, Jun. 12 | B | Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Fri, Jun. 12 | D | USA vs. Paraguay | 9:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | B | Qatar vs. Switzerland | 3:00 PM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | C | Brazil vs. Morocco | 6:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | C | Haiti vs. Scotland | 9:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | D | Australia vs. Türkiye | 12:00 AM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | E | Germany vs. Curaçao | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | F | Netherlands vs. Japan | 4:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | E | Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador | 7:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | F | Sweden vs. Tunisia | 10:00 PM | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | H | Spain vs. Cabo Verde | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | G | Belgium vs. Egypt | 3:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | H | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | G | Iran vs. New Zealand | 9:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | I | France vs. Senegal | 3:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | I | Iraq vs. Norway | 6:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | J | Argentina vs. Algeria | 9:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | J | Austria vs. Jordan | 12:00 AM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | K | Portugal vs. DR Congo | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | L | England vs. Croatia | 4:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | L | Ghana vs. Panama | 7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | K | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | 10:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
Matchday 2 (June 18 to 23)
| Date | Group | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jun. 18 | A | Czechia vs. South Africa | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | B | Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | B | Canada vs. Qatar | 6:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | A | Mexico vs. South Korea | 9:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | D | Türkiye vs. Paraguay | 12:00 AM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | D | USA vs. Australia | 3:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | C | Scotland vs. Morocco | 6:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | C | Brazil vs. Haiti | 8:30 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | F | Netherlands vs. Sweden | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | E | Germany vs. Ivory Coast | 4:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | E | Ecuador vs. Curaçao | 8:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | F | Tunisia vs. Japan ★ | 12:00 AM | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | H | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | G | Belgium vs. Iran | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | H | Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | G | New Zealand vs. Egypt | 9:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | J | Argentina vs. Austria | 1:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | I | France vs. Iraq | 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | I | Norway vs. Senegal | 8:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | J | Jordan vs. Algeria | 11:00 PM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | K | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | L | England vs. Ghana | 4:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | L | Panama vs. Croatia | 7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | K | Colombia vs. DR Congo | 10:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan |
Matchday 3 (June 24 to 27)
| Date | Group | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, Jun. 24 | B | Switzerland vs. Canada | 3:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | B | Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar | 3:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | C | Scotland vs. Brazil | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | C | Morocco vs. Haiti | 6:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | A | Czechia vs. Mexico | 9:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | A | South Africa vs. South Korea | 9:00 PM | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | E | Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast | 4:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | E | Ecuador vs. Germany | 4:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | F | Japan vs. Sweden | 7:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | F | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | 7:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | D | Türkiye vs. USA | 10:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | D | Paraguay vs. Australia | 10:00 PM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | I | Norway vs. France | 3:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | I | Senegal vs. Iraq | 3:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | H | Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | 8:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | H | Uruguay vs. Spain | 8:00 PM | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | G | Egypt vs. Iran | 11:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | G | New Zealand vs. Belgium | 11:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | L | Panama vs. England | 5:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | L | Croatia vs. Ghana | 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | K | Colombia vs. Portugal | 7:30 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | K | DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan | 7:30 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | J | Algeria vs. Austria | 10:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | J | Jordan vs. Argentina | 10:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
★ Tunisia vs. Japan at Monterrey Stadium is the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Mexican local kickoff is 10:00 PM CST on Saturday June 20.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures
Sixteen matches from June 28 to July 3. Group winners face runners-up from different groups. No two teams from the same group can meet at this stage. All kickoff times are now confirmed.
| Date | Match | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun. 28 | M73 | 2nd Group A vs. 2nd Group B | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | M76 | 1st Group C vs. 2nd Group F | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | M74 | 1st Group E vs. Best 3rd (A/B/C/D/F) | 4:30 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | M75 | 1st Group F vs. 2nd Group C | 9:00 PM | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA), Guadalupe |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | M78 | 2nd Group E vs. 2nd Group I | 1:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | M77 | 1st Group I vs. Best 3rd (C/D/F/G/H) | 5:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | M79 | 1st Group A vs. Best 3rd (C/E/F/H/I) | 9:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | M80 | 1st Group L vs. Best 3rd (E/H/I/J/K) | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | M82 | 1st Group G vs. Best 3rd (A/E/H/I/J) | 4:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | M81 | 1st Group D vs. Best 3rd (B/E/F/I/J) | 8:00 PM | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | M84 | 1st Group H vs. 2nd Group J | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | M83 | 2nd Group K vs. 2nd Group L | 7:00 PM | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | M85 | 1st Group B vs. Best 3rd (E/F/G/I/J) | 11:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | M88 | 2nd Group D vs. 2nd Group G | 2:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | M86 | 1st Group J vs. 2nd Group H | 6:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | M87 | 1st Group K vs. Best 3rd (D/E/I/J/L) | 9:30 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Schedule
Eight matches from July 4 to 7. The round opens on Independence Day. A Group D win could put the USA in a knockout match on July 4 in front of a home crowd. Every match from here through the Final airs on FOX in English.
| Date | Match | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul. 4 | M90 | Winner M73 vs. Winner M75 | 1:00 PM | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
| Sat, Jul. 4 | M89 | Winner M74 vs. Winner M77 | 5:00 PM | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial) |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | M91 | Winner M76 vs. Winner M78 | 4:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | M92 | Winner M79 vs. Winner M80 | 8:00 PM | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | M93 | Winner M83 vs. Winner M84 | 3:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | M94 | Winner M81 vs. Winner M82 | 8:00 PM | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | M95 | Winner M86 vs. Winner M88 | 12:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | M96 | Winner M85 vs. Winner M87 | 4:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Fixtures
Four matches from July 9 to 11 across Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City.
| Date | Match | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jul. 9 | M97 | Winner M89 vs. Winner M90 | 4:00 PM | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Fri, Jul. 10 | M98 | Winner M93 vs. Winner M94 | 3:00 PM | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | M99 | Winner M91 vs. Winner M92 | 5:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | M100 | Winner M95 vs. Winner M96 | 9:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Semifinals Schedule
Two matches on back-to-back days. Both venues have retractable roofs to keep heat off the pitch.
| Date | Match | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jul. 14 | M101 | Winner M97 vs. Winner M98 | 3:00 PM | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Wed, Jul. 15 | M102 | Winner M99 vs. Winner M100 | 3:00 PM | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Third-Place Match
Semifinal losers meet on July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
| Date | Match | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul. 18 | M103 | Loser M101 vs. Loser M102 | 5:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
Sunday, July 19 at 3:00 PM ET. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Capacity is 82,500 per FIFA. The stadium is called New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament.
This Final breaks new ground. For the first time in World Cup history the Final will feature a live halftime show. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Phil Harvey are curating the lineup. Global Citizen is producing. FIFA confirms multiple artists will perform but has not announced the lineup yet.
| Date | Match | Stage | Teams | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jul. 19 | M104 | FINAL | Winner M101 vs. Winner M102 | 3:00 PM | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife), East Rutherford, NJ |
How the 2026 World Cup Format Works
This World Cup uses a format no previous tournament has ever used. Forty-eight teams are split into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three matches. A win earns three points. A draw earns one. A loss earns zero. The top two from each group advance automatically.
The eight best third-placed teams from all 12 groups also go through. That fills 32 spots for the knockout rounds.
The Round of 32 is brand new. It has never existed at a World Cup before 2026. Group winners face runners-up from different groups. No two teams from the same group can meet at this stage. Lose once and you go home. Sixteen winners move on to the Round of 16.
Every knockout match from the Round of 32 onward follows the same rule. If the score is level after 90 minutes, the teams play two halves of 15 minutes each. If it stays tied a penalty shootout decides who goes through.
The tournament starts with 48 teams on June 11. It ends with two in the Final on July 19. It takes eight wins to lift the trophy. That is one more than any previous World Cup required.
FAQ About FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
What are the dates of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. That is 39 days and 104 total matches.
How many teams and groups are in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Forty-eight teams compete across 12 groups of four. The top two from each group advance automatically. The eight best third-placed teams also go through. That gives 32 teams a spot in the knockout rounds.
Where is the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match?
Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11, 2026 at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca). Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET. The opening ceremony takes place at the same venue before the match.
When and where is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final?
Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3:00 PM ET. FIFA calls it the New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament.
Which country hosts the most matches at the 2026 World Cup?
The United States hosts 78 of the 104 matches across 11 cities. That includes every game from the quarterfinals onward. Canada and Mexico each host 13 matches.
Which cities host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches?
Sixteen cities across three countries. Eleven in the USA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. Three in Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Two in Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.
What is the Round of 32?
A new knockout stage was introduced in 2026. Twenty-four group winners and runners-up plus the eight best third-placed teams compete. One loss and you are out. Winners advance to the Round of 16. This stage is the reason the tournament has 104 matches instead of 64.
When are the Round of 16 matches in the 2026 World Cup?
The Round of 16 runs from July 4 to July 7. Eight matches across eight cities. The first match is Winner M73 vs. Winner M75 at Houston Stadium (NRG) on July 4 at 1:00 PM ET. The last is Winner M85 vs. Winner M87 at BC Place Vancouver on July 7 at 4:00 PM ET.
When are the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals and semifinals?
Quarterfinals are played July 9 to 11 in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City. Semifinals are on July 14 at Dallas Stadium (AT&T) and July 15 at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz). Both semifinals start at 3:00 PM ET.
Who are the defending World Cup champions?
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar for their third title. Lionel Messi captained the team to victory. No team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
What is the 1,000th match in World Cup history?
Tunisia vs. Japan in Group F is the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Local kickoff is 10:00 PM CST on Saturday, June 20 at Monterrey Stadium. That is 12:00 AM ET on Sunday, June 21 for Eastern Time viewers.
How can I watch World Cup 2026 matches in the USA?
FOX carries 70 matches and FS1 carries 34 matches in English. Telemundo carries 92 matches and Universo carries 12 in Spanish. Peacock streams every match in Spanish. Tubi simulcasts the opening match (Mexico vs. South Africa) and the USA opener vs. Paraguay free in 4K. From the Round of 16 to the Final, every match airs on FOX. See our TV channels and streaming guide for the full breakdown.
How much do FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets cost?
Prices start at $60 through the Supporter Entry Tier. That tier is only available to loyal fans through national federations. The general public faces dynamic pricing ranging from $120 for Category 3 group-stage seats to $7,875 for a Category 1 Front seat at the Final. All prices add a 15% FIFA service fee. For the full breakdown see our World Cup 2026 ticket prices guide.
The World Cup 2026 schedule brings 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries. Bookmark this page for quick access on match days. Every kickoff time is now confirmed from the opener in Mexico City to the Final at MetLife.