World Cup 2026 Fixtures & Full Match Schedule: Every Game, Date, Time & Venue

FIFA World Cup 2026 — Official Fixture Guide

World Cup 2026 Fixtures & Full Match Schedule

Every Game, Date, Time & Venue — Updated Daily

June 11 – July 19, 2026  |  48 Teams  |  104 Matches  |  16 Venues  |  3 Host Nations

QUICK ANSWER: The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams playing 104 matches. The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on 11 June 2026. The Final takes place at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on 19 July 2026.

The Biggest World Cup in History — What You Need to Know

Something unprecedented is about to happen. On the evening of 11 June 2026, the lights will come on at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — the same storied ground where Pelé played, where Maradona dribbled through the English midfield, where history has been written and rewritten for over five decades. And football's greatest tournament will begin again. Only this time, everything is different.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is not merely a larger tournament. It is a structural reimagining of the competition. For the first time in the event's 92-year history, 48 nations will compete across a continent-spanning schedule of 104 matches — 40 more games than Qatar 2022 — played across 16 world-class stadiums in three countries. Defending champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will begin the defence of their 2022 title. Spain enters as the pre-tournament favourite. England and France travel as genuine contenders. And four nations — Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan — are about to experience a World Cup for the very first time.

This guide gives you the complete, authoritative fixture list: every match, every date, every kickoff time, and every venue. Whether you are planning your schedule around your nation's games, booking travel to a host city, or simply following the tournament from home, everything you need is here — and this page is updated daily as new information is confirmed.

Tournament At a Glance

Detail	Information
Tournament	2026 FIFA World Cup (23rd edition)
Start Date	11 June 2026
End Date	19 July 2026
Duration	39 days
Host Nations	United States, Canada, Mexico
Total Teams	48 (expanded from 32)
Total Matches	104
Total Stadiums	16 across 3 countries
Opening Match	Mexico vs South Africa — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City — 11 Jun, 3:00 PM ET
Final Venue	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey — 19 Jul, 3:00 PM ET
Defending Champion	Argentina
Tournament Favourites	Spain, England, France, Brazil
Match 1,000 in WC History	Tunisia vs Japan — 20 June 2026, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
First-Time Qualifiers	Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan

All 12 Groups: Complete Team Listings

The 48 qualified nations have been drawn into 12 groups of four teams each, labelled A through L. The draw took place on 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Each team plays three group stage matches. The top two teams from each group progress automatically to the Round of 32. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams also advance — meaning 32 teams in total emerge from the group stage.

NEW FOR 2026: FIFA has changed the tiebreaker rules. Head-to-head record now takes precedence over goal difference when teams are level on points. This is the most significant rule change since 1994 and could dramatically affect how groups are resolved.

Group	Teams
A	Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
B	Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
C	Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
D	USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
E	Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Croatia
F	Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
G	Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
H	Spain, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, Uruguay
I	France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
J	Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
K	Germany, Curaçao, Sweden, (Playoff Winner)
L	England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Two separate bracket pathways have been created to prevent the top-ranked teams from meeting before the Final. Spain (ranked 1st) and Argentina (ranked 2nd) are in opposite pathways. France (3rd) and England (4th) are also separated. Should all four teams win their groups, none of the top four sides can meet until the semi-finals at the earliest.

Group Stage Fixtures — 11 June to 27 June 2026

The group stage runs for 17 days across all 16 host venues. Each of the 12 groups plays across three matchdays, with the final matchday in every group kicked off simultaneously to ensure competitive fairness. All times below are Eastern Time (ET). UK times are ET +5 hours.

Matchday 1 — Opening Weekend (11–15 June)

Date	Match	Venue	Time (ET)
Thu 11 Jun	Mexico vs South Africa (Group A) 🏟 Opener	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City	3:00 PM
Thu 11 Jun	South Korea vs Czechia (Group A)	Estadio Akron, Guadalajara	10:00 PM
Fri 12 Jun	Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B)	BMO Field, Toronto	3:00 PM
Fri 12 Jun	USA vs Paraguay (Group D)	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	9:00 PM
Sat 13 Jun	Qatar vs Switzerland (Group B)	Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area	3:00 PM
Sat 13 Jun	Brazil vs Morocco (Group C)	MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey	6:00 PM
Sat 13 Jun	Haiti vs Scotland (Group C)	Gillette Stadium, Boston	9:00 PM
Sun 14 Jun	Germany vs Curaçao (Group K)	NRG Stadium, Houston	1:00 PM
Sun 14 Jun	Netherlands vs Japan (Group E)	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	4:00 PM
Mon 15 Jun	Spain vs Cape Verde (Group H)	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	12:00 PM
Mon 15 Jun	Belgium vs Egypt (Group G)	Lumen Field, Seattle	6:00 PM
Mon 15 Jun	Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H)	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	6:00 PM

Matchday 2 (16–21 June)

Date	Match	Venue	Time (ET)
Tue 16 Jun	France vs Senegal (Group I)	MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey	3:00 PM
Tue 16 Jun	Iraq vs Norway (Group I)	Gillette Stadium, Boston	6:00 PM
Tue 16 Jun	Argentina vs Algeria (Group J)	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City	9:00 PM
Wed 17 Jun	Portugal vs DR Congo (Group K)	NRG Stadium, Houston	1:00 PM
Wed 17 Jun	England vs Croatia (Group L)	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	4:00 PM
Wed 17 Jun	Ghana vs Panama (Group L)	BMO Field, Toronto	7:00 PM
Thu 18 Jun	Czechia vs South Africa (Group A)	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	12:00 PM
Thu 18 Jun	Mexico vs South Korea (Group A)	Estadio Akron, Guadalajara	9:00 PM
Thu 18 Jun	Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B)	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	3:00 PM
Thu 18 Jun	Canada vs Qatar (Group B)	BC Place, Vancouver	6:00 PM
Fri 19 Jun	Scotland vs Morocco (Group C)	Gillette Stadium, Boston	6:00 PM
Sat 20 Jun	Tunisia vs Japan (Group E) ⭐ Match 1,000 in WC History	Estadio BBVA, Monterrey	12:00 AM
Sat 20 Jun	Netherlands vs Sweden (Group E)	NRG Stadium, Houston	1:00 PM
Sun 21 Jun	Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H)	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	12:00 PM

HISTORIC MOMENT: Match 33 of the tournament — Tunisia vs Japan on 20 June 2026 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey — will be the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. The tournament began in 1930 in Uruguay. It took 92 years to reach this milestone.

Matchday 3 — Group Deciders (22–27 June)

All four teams in each group play simultaneously on Matchday 3, preventing any collusion between teams who already know the other result. With the new head-to-head tiebreaker rule, these final group games could deliver more drama than ever.

Date	Matches (simultaneous)	Venues	Time (ET)
Wed 24 Jun	Czechia vs Mexico | South Korea vs South Africa (Group A)	Azteca / Atlanta	9:00 PM
Wed 24 Jun	Switzerland vs Canada | Bosnia vs Qatar (Group B)	Vancouver / Seattle	3:00 PM
Thu 25 Jun	Brazil vs Scotland | Morocco vs Haiti (Group C)	MetLife / Gillette	TBC
Fri 26 Jun	Paraguay vs Türkiye | USA vs Australia (Group D)	Lumen Field / SoFi	TBC
Fri 26 Jun	Norway vs France | Iraq vs Senegal (Group I)	AT&T / MetLife	3:00 PM
Sat 27 Jun	Argentina vs Jordan | Algeria vs Austria (Group J)	Kansas City / San Francisco	TBC
Sat 27 Jun	DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Germany vs Sweden (Group K)	Atlanta / TBC	7:30 PM
Sat 27 Jun	England vs Panama | Ghana vs Croatia (Group L)	AT&T / Toronto	TBC

The Brand-New Round of 32 — 28 June to 3 July 2026

Here is what makes the 2026 World Cup structurally unlike anything before it: the Round of 32. This knockout stage has never existed at any previous World Cup in the tournament's 92-year history. It is genuinely new — and it changes everything.

In previous tournaments, 16 teams advanced from the group stage directly into the Round of 16. In 2026, 32 teams advance from the groups — all 12 group winners, all 12 runners-up, and the eight best third-placed teams — and they must play an additional knockout round before the Round of 16 begins. One loss and you go home.

The practical effect is extraordinary: the Round of 32 delivers 16 knockout matches across just six days. Every one of those matches could feature a top-10 nation against a first-time qualifier. The drama of sudden elimination now arrives a full round earlier.

Match	Fixture	Venue	Date / Time (ET)
Match 73	Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	28 Jun, 3:00 PM
Match 74	Winner Group E vs Best 3rd (A/B/C/D/F)	Gillette Stadium, Boston	29 Jun, 4:30 PM
Match 75	Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group C	Estadio BBVA, Monterrey	29 Jun, 9:00 PM
Match 76	Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group F	NRG Stadium, Houston	29 Jun, 1:00 PM
Match 77	Winner Group I vs Best 3rd (C/D/F/G/H)	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	30 Jun, 5:00 PM
Match 78	Runner-up Group E vs Runner-up Group I	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	30 Jun, 1:00 PM
Match 79	Winner Group A vs Best 3rd (C/E/F/H/I)	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City	30 Jun, 9:00 PM
Match 80	Winner Group L vs Best 3rd (E/H/I/J/K)	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	1 Jul, 12:00 PM
Match 81	Winner Group D vs Best 3rd (B/E/F/I/J)	Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area	1 Jul, 8:00 PM
Match 82	Winner Group G vs Best 3rd (A/E/H/I/J)	Lumen Field, Seattle	1 Jul, 4:00 PM
Match 83	Runner-up Group K vs Runner-up Group L	BMO Field, Toronto	2 Jul, 7:00 PM
Match 84	Winner Group H vs Runner-up Group J	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	2 Jul, 3:00 PM
Match 85	Winner Group B vs Best 3rd (E/F/G/I/J)	BC Place, Vancouver	2 Jul, 11:00 PM
Match 86	Winner Group J vs Runner-up Group H	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	3 Jul, 6:00 PM
Match 87	Winner Group K vs Best 3rd (D/E/I/J/L)	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City	3 Jul, 9:30 PM
Match 88	Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group G	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	3 Jul, 2:00 PM

Round of 16 — 4 to 8 July 2026

The Round of 16 begins on 4 July — Independence Day in the United States — and runs through 8 July. By this stage, only 16 nations remain, each having survived both the group stage and the Round of 32. From the Round of 16 onward, every match in the USA airs exclusively on the main FOX broadcast network.

Match	Fixture	Venue	Date / Time (ET)
Match 89	Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77	Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia	4 Jul, 5:00 PM
Match 90	Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75	NRG Stadium, Houston	4 Jul, 1:00 PM
Match 91	Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78	Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area	5 Jul, TBC
Match 92	Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	5 Jul, TBC
Match 93	Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	6 Jul, TBC
Match 94	Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	6 Jul, 3:00 PM
Match 95	Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 86	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City	7 Jul, TBC
Match 96	Winner Match 87 vs Winner Match 88	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	8 Jul, TBC

Quarter-Finals — 9 to 11 July 2026

The quarter-finals take the tournament into an elite dimension. Eight teams. Four matches. This is the stage at which tactical systems collide with moments of individual genius — the phase where legends are made and dynasties crumble.

Match	Fixture	Venue	Date / Time (ET)
Match 97 (QF1)	Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	9 Jul, TBC
Match 98 (QF2)	Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92	Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area	9 Jul, TBC
Match 99 (QF3)	Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	10 Jul, 3:00 PM
Match 100 (QF4)	Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	11 Jul, TBC

Semi-Finals — 14 and 15 July 2026

Two matches. Four nations. The semi-finals on 14 and 15 July will determine which two nations meet at MetLife Stadium four days later to contest the most watched 90 minutes in world sport.

Match	Fixture	Venue	Date / Time (ET)
Match 101 (SF1)	Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 99	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	14 Jul, 3:00 PM
Match 102 (SF2)	Winner Match 98 vs Winner Match 100	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta	15 Jul, 3:00 PM

Third-Place Play-Off — 18 July 2026

Match	Fixture	Venue	Date / Time (ET)
Match 103	Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami	18 Jul, TBC

The 2026 World Cup Final — 19 July 2026

Match 104 — World Cup Final

Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2

MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Sunday, 19 July 2026  |  Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET (8:00 PM BST)

MetLife Stadium — known officially as New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament under FIFA's sponsorship protocols — seats over 82,000 fans and sits approximately ten miles west of Manhattan. It is the largest stadium in the NFL. On 19 July 2026, it will host the largest sporting event on earth.

For the first time in World Cup Final history, there will be a live halftime performance. Every previous World Cup Final had a standard 15-minute interval with no entertainment. In 2026, Global Citizen is producing the show, with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Phil Harvey serving as creative partners to FIFA in selecting the performing artists.

All 16 Host Stadiums: Cities, Capacities & Match Allocations

The tournament is spread across three geographic regions. The United States hosts 78 of the 104 matches, including all games from the quarter-finals onward. Canada and Mexico each host 13 matches.

City	Stadium	Country	Capacity	Matches
New York/New Jersey	MetLife Stadium	USA	82,500	9 (incl. Final)
Dallas	AT&T Stadium	USA	80,000	9 (incl. Semi-Final)
Los Angeles	SoFi Stadium	USA	70,240	8
Atlanta	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	USA	71,000	8 (incl. Semi-Final)
Houston	NRG Stadium	USA	72,220	7
San Francisco Bay Area	Levi's Stadium	USA	68,500	7
Miami	Hard Rock Stadium	USA	65,326	7 (incl. 3rd Place)
Philadelphia	Lincoln Financial Field	USA	69,796	6
Kansas City	Arrowhead Stadium	USA	76,416	6
Boston	Gillette Stadium	USA	65,878	6
Seattle	Lumen Field	USA	68,740	6
Mexico City	Estadio Azteca	Mexico	87,523	5 (incl. Opener)
Guadalajara	Estadio Akron	Mexico	49,850	4
Monterrey	Estadio BBVA	Mexico	53,500	5
Toronto	BMO Field	Canada	30,991	6
Vancouver	BC Place	Canada	54,500	7

How to Watch World Cup 2026 Live: TV, Streaming and Matchday Updates

Looking for the best way to watch the World Cup 2026 live? This guide explains where fans can follow the tournament, how official coverage usually works, and where to get daily match analysis and predictions.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will run from 11 June 2026 to 19 July 2026, making it one of the biggest and longest World Cup viewing events ever.

Get Daily Match Predictions:
 

Official Ways to Follow World Cup 2026

FIFA’s official World Cup hub remains the first place to check for schedule updates, fixtures, and tournament information. FIFA+ also carries World Cup-related content and selected live football content on its platform.

• Official FIFA World Cup 2026 page
• FIFA+ platform

Will World Cup 2026 Be on TV?

Yes. Major TV broadcasters and streaming partners will carry the tournament by region. Broadcast rights vary by country, so the most reliable route is to confirm through FIFA’s official channels or your local sports broadcasters closer to matchday.

For special FIFA World Cup 2026 events, FIFA already publishes official broadcaster lists by market, which is the best model to follow as match coverage details expand.

How to Watch World Cup 2026 Online

• Official broadcaster apps and websites in your country
• FIFA digital platforms for official updates and selected content
• Mobile streaming services tied to local rights holders

Before matchday, always check whether your region requires a subscription, mobile app login, or cable authentication.

Best Way to Follow Daily Matches and Predictions

If you want more than just the live stream, follow daily analysis too:

• World Cup 2026 predictions today
• World Cup 2026 fixtures and schedule
• Football predictions today

Can You Watch on Mobile?

Yes. Most official broadcasters now offer mobile apps, while FIFA+ is also available across supported devices and mobile platforms.

Nations in Focus: Group Stage Schedules for Key Teams

Argentina — Group J (Defending Champions)

Matchday	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)
Matchday 1	16 Jun	Algeria	Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City	9:00 PM
Matchday 2	20 Jun	Jordan	TBC	TBC
Matchday 3	24 Jun	Austria	TBC	TBC

England — Group L

Matchday	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)
Matchday 1	17 Jun	Croatia	AT&T Stadium, Dallas	4:00 PM
Matchday 2	21 Jun	Ghana	TBC	TBC
Matchday 3	25 Jun	Panama	TBC	TBC

USA — Group D

Matchday	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)
Matchday 1	12 Jun	Paraguay	SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles	9:00 PM
Matchday 2	17 Jun	Australia	Lumen Field, Seattle	TBC
Matchday 3	22 Jun	Türkiye	TBC	TBC

Brazil — Group C

Matchday	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)
Matchday 1	13 Jun	Morocco	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	6:00 PM
Matchday 2	19 Jun	Haiti	TBC	TBC
Matchday 3	25 Jun	Scotland	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	TBC

France — Group I

Matchday	Date	Opponent	Venue	Time (ET)
Matchday 1	16 Jun	Senegal	MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ	3:00 PM
Matchday 2	20 Jun	Iraq	TBC	TBC
Matchday 3	26 Jun	Norway	Gillette Stadium, Boston	3:00 PM

The 2026 Format Explained: How the Tournament Works

The Group Stage (12 Groups of 4)

Each of the 48 teams plays three matches in the group stage — one against every other team in their group. Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. The top two in each group advance automatically; the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance, sending 32 teams total into the knockout rounds.

The Round of 32 — Completely New in 2026

The Round of 32 is the biggest structural innovation in World Cup history. For the first time, all 32 advancing teams enter a straight knockout round before the Round of 16. Every match from this point is sudden-death elimination. Win and you advance; lose and you fly home.

The Tiebreaker Rules — Changed for 2026

When teams are level on points in the group stage, the first tiebreaker is now head-to-head record — not goal difference. The full hierarchy is: (1) points, (2) head-to-head points, (3) head-to-head goal difference, (4) head-to-head goals scored, (5) overall goal difference, (6) overall goals scored, (7) fair play score, (8) FIFA ranking.

Third-Place Teams: How the Best Eight Are Selected

Of the 12 third-placed teams from the group stage, only 8 will qualify for the Round of 32. These are determined by ranking all 12 third-placed teams using the standard points-based criteria. The eight best advance; the remaining four are eliminated.

The Stories That Will Define This Tournament

Messi and Argentina: Defending the Impossible

When Lionel Messi lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar on 18 December 2022, football reached a moment of resolution that had eluded a generation of fans. Now, in 2026, Argentina arrives as defending champions — and the question that haunts their entire Group J campaign is whether Messi, now 38 years old, will be physically capable of carrying them through seven knockout matches to repeat.

Italy's Historic Absence

Four-time world champions Italy will not be in North America this summer. Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated them in a penalty shootout in the UEFA playoff path on 31 March 2026. It is Italy's third consecutive World Cup absence — an unprecedented crisis for a nation that won the tournament in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006. Coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned immediately following the elimination.

Spain: The Favourite's Burden

Spain enters as the highest-ranked nation in the FIFA standings and the primary betting favourite. Their Group H draw against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, and Uruguay is navigable on paper, but the pressure of expectation at a World Cup is rarely confined to paper. Spain's pathway through the bracket is constructed to keep them away from Argentina until the Final.

The Debutants: Curaçao, Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan

Four nations will experience their first-ever World Cup this summer. Curaçao — a Caribbean island nation of just 160,000 people — is the smallest country by population ever to qualify. Cape Verde brings the vibrant energy of West African football to Group H. Jordan makes history as an Arab nation qualifying through the AFC pathway. Uzbekistan, drawn into Group F alongside Portugal, arrives from Central Asia for the first time.

Iraq Returns After 40 Years

Iraq qualified through the inter-confederation playoff, beating Bolivia 2–1 in Monterrey on 31 March 2026. It is their first appearance at a World Cup since 1986 — a 40-year absence that reflects decades of geopolitical upheaval and the tenacity of a football culture that endured through all of it.

DR Congo End a 52-Year Wait

The Democratic Republic of Congo qualified by defeating Jamaica in the inter-confederation playoff, ending a 52-year absence from the World Cup. Their last appearance was in 1974 under the name Zaire.

Complete Tournament Timeline Summary

Stage	Dates	Matches	Teams Remaining
Group Stage	11 June – 27 June	48 matches	48
Round of 32	28 June – 3 July	16 matches	32
Round of 16	4 July – 8 July	8 matches	16
Quarter-Finals	9 July – 11 July	4 matches	8
Semi-Finals	14 July – 15 July	2 matches	4
Third-Place Play-Off	18 July	1 match	2
Final	19 July	1 match	2
TOTAL	11 June – 19 July	104 matches	—

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday, 11 June 2026. The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, kicking off at 3:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM BST).

When is the 2026 World Cup Final?

The 2026 World Cup Final takes place on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is at 3:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM BST).

How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?

There are 104 matches in total — 40 more than the 64 played at Qatar 2022. This includes 48 group stage matches, 16 in the new Round of 32, 8 in the Round of 16, 4 quarter-finals, 2 semi-finals, a third-place play-off, and the Final.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

48 teams compete at the 2026 World Cup, expanded from 32 at previous tournaments. They are divided into 12 groups of four, with 32 teams advancing from the group stage into the knockout rounds.

What is the new Round of 32?

The Round of 32 is a brand-new knockout stage that has never existed at any previous World Cup. All 32 teams that advance from the group stage play a single-elimination round before the traditional Round of 16. It runs from 28 June to 3 July 2026.

Who are the host countries for the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup is hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations. The USA hosts 78 of the 104 matches; Canada and Mexico each host 13.

Where is the 2026 World Cup Final being held?

The Final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — approximately 10 miles west of New York City. The stadium seats over 82,000 and is the home ground of both the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the NFL.

What is the tiebreaker rule change for 2026?

FIFA has changed the tiebreaker system for the 2026 group stage. Head-to-head record now takes precedence over overall goal difference when teams are level on points. This is the first time this rule has applied at a men's World Cup.

Will the 2026 World Cup Final have a halftime show?

Yes — for the first time in World Cup Final history, the 2026 Final will feature a live halftime entertainment performance. Global Citizen is producing the show, with Coldplay's Chris Martin and Phil Harvey serving as creative partners to FIFA.

What is Match 1,000 in World Cup history?

Match 33 of the 2026 tournament — Tunisia vs Japan on 20 June 2026 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey — will be the 1,000th match ever played in the history of the FIFA World Cup. The first match was played in 1930 in Uruguay.

How can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the USA?

In the USA, FOX broadcasts 70 matches in English on free TV, FS1 carries 34 on cable, and all matches are on the FOX One app and FOX Sports App in 4K. For Spanish-language coverage: Telemundo (92 matches), Universo (12), and Peacock (all 104). From the Round of 16 onward, every English-language match is exclusively on FOX.

Which nations are making their World Cup debut in 2026?

Four nations are making their FIFA World Cup debut: Cape Verde (Group H), Curaçao (Group K — the smallest nation ever to qualify by population), Jordan (Group J), and Uzbekistan (Group F).

The Countdown Has Begun

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is no longer a future event — it is an imminent one. The groups are set, the fixtures are locked, and 48 nations are finalising their preparations for the most watched sporting event on earth. Whether you are planning a pilgrimage to MetLife Stadium for the Final, booking flights to see your nation play in Dallas or Vancouver, or simply plotting your viewing schedule from home, you now have everything you need.

Bookmark this page. The schedule above reflects all confirmed fixtures as of April 2026, and will be updated as group stage results determine knockout stage opponents, confirm precise kickoff times, and deliver the moments of drama that make the World Cup unlike anything else in sport.

On 11 June 2026, in Mexico City, under the same sky where Maradona once made the world hold its breath, it begins again.

Sources & References FIFA.com — Official fixture schedule and team information
ESPN, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Sky Sports — Schedule and group stage data
Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification data
Last updated: April 2026. All times Eastern (ET). UK = ET +5 hrs. Fixtures subject to minor schedule adjustments by FIFA.