All you need to know about FIFA World Cup 2026
- By Huzaifa Gaba -
- Dec 25, 2025
The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, is now less than six months away, with FIFA having already unveiled the full match schedule, tournament format, venues and key details for the 39-day global spectacle.
Co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, the 39-day mega event will run from June 11 to July 19 and feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the traditional 32.
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues spread over the three host nations, making the 2026 World Cup the most extensive and logistically ambitious edition ever staged.
Reigning champions Argentina will arrive aiming to defend the title they lifted at Qatar 2022 under the leadership of Lionel Messi.
The 38-year-old will be chasing a historic achievement, as a successful title defence would see Argentina become only the third nation, after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962), to win back-to-back World Cups.
Notably, both Italy and Brazil achieved the feat while lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy, meaning Argentina could become the first team to retain the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, in use since 1974.
The 2026 edition will also mark World Cup debuts for Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, underlining FIFA’s push towards greater global representation as the tournament enters a new era.
Opening match and final venues
The tournament will get underway on June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium, where hosts Mexico will play the opening match against South Africa.
The World Cup will conclude on July 19, with the final scheduled to be played at the New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium.
Groups confirmed
The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four. The group lineup includes several heavyweight clashes and intriguing matchups:
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
New format explained
The 2026 World Cup will feature a revamped competition structure. After the group stage, the knockout rounds will begin with a Round of 32, a first in World Cup history.
This will be followed by the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a bronze medal match and the final.
Tournament phases:
Group stage: June 11–27
Round of 32: June 28–July 3
Round of 16: July 4–7
Quarterfinals: July 9–11
Semifinals: July 14–15
Bronze medal match: July 18
Final: July 19
Full schedule of World Cup 2026
Group stage
Thursday, June 11
Mexico vs South Africa at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
South Korea vs TDB at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday, June 12
Canada vs TBD at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
USA vs Paraguay at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Saturday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Saturday, June 13
Qatar vs Switzerland at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Brazil vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Haiti vs Scotland at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Sunday) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Australia vs TBD at midnight (08:00 GMT on Sunday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Sunday, June 14
Germany vs Curacao at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Netherlands vs Japan at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Monday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
TBD vs Tunisia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Monday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Monday, June 15
Spain vs Cape Verde at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Belgium vs Egypt at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Iran vs New Zealand at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Tuesday, June 16
France vs Senegal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
TBD vs Norway at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Argentina vs Algeria at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Austria vs Jordan at midnight (08:00 GMT on Wednesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Wednesday, June 17
Portugal vs TBD at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
England vs Croatia at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Ghana vs Panama at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Uzbekistan vs Colombia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Thursday, June 18
TBD vs South Africa at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Switzerland vs TBD at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Canada vs Qatar at 6pm (02:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Mexico vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday, June 19
Scotland vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
USA vs Australia at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Brazil vs Haiti at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
TBD vs Paraguay at midnight (08:00 GMT on Saturday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Saturday, June 20
Netherlands vs TBD at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Germany vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Ecuador vs Curacao at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,
Tunisia vs Japan at midnight (06:00 GMT on Sunday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Sunday, June 21
Spain vs Saudi Arabia at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Belgium vs Iran at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Uruguay vs Cape Verde at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
New Zealand vs Egypt at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Monday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Monday, June 22
Argentina vs Austria at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
France vs TBD at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Norway vs Senegal at 8pm (01:00 GMT on Tuesday) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Jordan vs Algeria at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Tuesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Tuesday, June 23
Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
England vs Ghana at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Panama vs Croatia at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Colombia vs TBD at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Wednesday, June 24
Switzerland vs Canada at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
TBD vs Qatar at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Morocco vs Haiti at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
TBD vs Mexico at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
South Africa vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Thursday, June 25
Ecuador vs Germany at 4pm (21:00 GMT)– New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Curacao vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Japan vs TBD at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Tunisia vs Netherlands at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,
TBD vs USA at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Paraguay vs Australia at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Friday, June 26
Norway vs France at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Senegal vs TDB 3pm at (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Uruguay vs Spain at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Egypt vs Iran at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
New Zealand vs Belgium at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saturday, June 27
Panama vs England at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Croatia vs Ghana at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Colombia vs Portugal at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
TBD vs Uzbekistan at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Algeria vs Austria at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,
Jordan vs Argentina at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Knockout stage
Sunday, June 28
Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Monday, June 29
Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Round of 32 match at 4:30pm (22:30 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Tuesday, June 30
Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 32 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Wednesday, July 1
Round of 32 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Round of 32 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Round of 32 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US
Thursday, July 2
Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Round of 32 match at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Friday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Round of 32 match at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Friday, July 3
Round of 32 match at 2pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 32 match at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Round of 32 match at 9:30pm (03:30 GMT on Saturday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,
Saturday, July 4
Round of 16 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US
Round of 16 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US
Sunday, July 5
Round of 16 match at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US
Round of 16 match at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Monday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Monday, July 6
Round of 16 match at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Round of 16 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US
Tuesday, July 7
Round of 16 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Round of 16 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, 9 July: First quarterfinal at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US
Friday, 10 July: Second quarterfinal at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US
Saturday, July 11: Third quarterfinal at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Sunday, July 12: Fourth quarterfinal at 9pm (03:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US
Tuesday, July 14: First semifinal at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US
Wednesday, July 15: Second semifinal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US
Saturday, July 18: Bronze medal match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US
Sunday, July 19: Final at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US