World Cup 2026 Complete Match Schedule: 104 Games Across 39 Days in USA, Canada & Mexico
World Cup 2026 Schedule Overview
Total Matches
Tournament Days
Host Cities
Competing Teams
⚽ Key Tournament Dates
OPENING MATCH: June 11, 2026 – Mexico at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
GROUP STAGE: June 11-27, 2026 (12 groups of 4 teams)
KNOCKOUT STAGE: June 28 – July 19, 2026 (Round of 32 onwards)
FINAL: July 19, 2026 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
Opening Matches: Three Nations, Three Historic Kickoffs
The 2026 World Cup begins with Mexico’s opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026, marking the third time this legendary venue hosts a World Cup opener. Canada and the United States follow with their own opening matches on June 12, ensuring each host nation plays their first group stage match on home soil.
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June 11 – Mexico Opening MatchVenue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (Capacity: 83,000)
Group: Mexico placed in Group A as host nation
Historic Significance: First stadium to host opening match three times (1970, 1986, 2026)
Match 2: Same day at Estadio Guadalajara for Group A action -
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June 12 – Canada Opening MatchVenue: BMO Field, Toronto (Capacity: 45,000)
Group: Canada placed in Group B as host nation
Milestone: Canada’s first-ever World Cup home match
Additional Venues: BC Place Vancouver hosts Canada’s second group match -
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June 12 – USA Opening MatchVenue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Capacity: 70,000)
Group: USA placed in Group D as host nation
Schedule: Second match June 19 in Seattle, third match June 25 back in LA
West Coast Focus: All USA group matches on Pacific coast
Group Stage Schedule: 12 Groups Across Three Regions
The expanded 48-team format features 12 groups of four teams, with matches distributed across three geographical regions to minimize travel. Each team plays three group matches, with the top two from each group plus eight best third-placed teams advancing to the new Round of 32.
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Western RegionCities: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles
Groups Assigned: 3 groups including USA’s Group D
Notable Venues: SoFi Stadium (LA), Lumen Field (Seattle), BC Place (Vancouver)
Schedule: Matches from June 11-27, 2026 -
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Central RegionCities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City
Groups Assigned: 4 groups including Mexico’s Group A
Notable Venues: Estadio Azteca, AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
Host Advantage: Mexico plays all group matches in home country -
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Eastern RegionCities: Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey
Groups Assigned: Remaining groups including Canada’s Group B
Notable Venues: MetLife Stadium (NJ), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), BMO Field (Toronto)
Final Host: MetLife Stadium selected for tournament final
Knockout Stage Calendar: From Round of 32 to Glory
The revolutionary Round of 32 begins June 28, adding an extra knockout round that increases drama and opportunities for underdog nations. The tournament culminates with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
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Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026Format: Single elimination matches across all host cities
New Addition: First World Cup to feature Round of 32
Daily Schedule: Multiple matches per day
Rest Days: Minimum 3 days between matches for advancing teams -
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Round of 16: July 4-7, 2026Independence Day Start: July 4 matches in USA venues
Distribution: Matches across all three host nations
Prime Venues: Major stadiums hosting multiple knockout matches
Format: Traditional 16-team knockout round -
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Quarter-Finals: July 9-11, 2026July 9: First two quarter-final matches
July 10: Third quarter-final match
July 11: Fourth quarter-final match (Kansas City Stadium)
USA Venues Only: All quarter-finals in United States stadiums
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Semi-Finals: July 14-15, 2026Semi-Final 1: July 14 – AT&T Stadium, Dallas (Capacity: 94,000)
Semi-Final 2: July 15 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (Capacity: 75,000)
Format: Winners advance to final, losers to third-place match
Rest Period: 4-5 days before final for winning teams -
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Third-Place Match: July 18, 2026Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (Capacity: 65,000)
Timing: Day before the final
Significance: Bronze medal match between semi-final losers
Florida Finale: Miami’s only knockout stage match -
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FINAL: July 19, 2026Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey (Capacity: 82,500)
Match 104: Winners of both semi-finals
Half-Time Show: Coldplay-advised entertainment spectacle planned
Global Celebration: Times Square takeover for final weekend festivities
Host City Match Distribution & Stadium Assignments
FIFA has strategically distributed the 104 matches across 16 host cities, with the United States hosting 78 matches including all matches from the quarter-finals onward, while Canada and Mexico each host 13 matches primarily during the group stage.
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AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TexasCapacity: 94,000 (expandable for World Cup)
Total Matches: 9 (most of any venue)
Key Match: Semi-Final on July 14
Features: Retractable roof, climate control, widened field for World Cup -
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MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New JerseyCapacity: 82,500 (removing 1,740 seats for wider field)
Total Matches: 8 including the FINAL
Final Date: July 19, 2026
Transportation: New $35 million busway and Meadowlands Rail Line -
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SoFi Stadium – Los AngelesCapacity: 70,000
Total Matches: 8 including USA opening match
Key Dates: June 12 (USA opener), June 25 (USA third match), Quarter-Final
Features: Translucent roof, field widening modifications for FIFA standards
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Major Metropolitan StadiumsMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): 75,000 capacity, Semi-Final host
Gillette Stadium (Boston): 65,000 capacity, 7 matches including Quarter-Final
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia): 69,000 capacity, multiple group matches
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): 65,000 capacity, Third-Place match host -
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Central & Western VenuesArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City): 73,000 capacity, Quarter-Final July 11
Lumen Field (Seattle): 69,000 capacity, USA second group match
Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco): 71,000 capacity, group and knockout matches
NRG Stadium (Houston): 72,000 capacity, retractable roof venue
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Canada – 2 Cities, 13 MatchesBMO Field (Toronto): 45,000 capacity, Canada’s opening match June 12
BC Place (Vancouver): 54,000 capacity, 7 matches total
Schedule Conflicts: CFL season adjustments for Toronto Argonauts & BC Lions
Group Stage Focus: Canada plays all three group matches at home -
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Mexico – 3 Cities, 13 MatchesEstadio Azteca (Mexico City): 83,000 capacity, Opening match June 11
Estadio Guadalajara: 48,000 capacity, Group A matches
Estadio Monterrey: 53,500 capacity, Group stage matches
Historic Achievement: Mexico first nation to host/co-host three World Cups
Draw Date & Qualification Timeline
The official World Cup draw takes place December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., determining the complete group stage matchups and knockout bracket paths for all 48 participating nations.
Key Pre-Tournament Dates
- December 5, 2025: Official World Cup Draw at Kennedy Center, Washington D.C. (12:00 UTC-5)
- March 2026: UEFA playoffs and inter-confederation playoffs conclude
- May 24, 2026: Final club match day for World Cup players
- May 25, 2026: Clubs must release players for national team duty
- May 30, 2026: Exception deadline for players in continental club finals
- June 11, 2026: Tournament begins with Mexico vs. TBD at Estadio Azteca
Already Qualified Teams (As of September 2025)
- Automatic Hosts: USA (Group D), Canada (Group B), Mexico (Group A)
- South America: Argentina (defending champions), Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay
- Asia: Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan
- Oceania: New Zealand
- Europe: Qualification ongoing through November 2025
- Africa: Qualification ongoing through 2025
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Expanded 48-Team FormatGroup Stage: 12 groups of 4 teams (48 matches)
Advancement: Top 2 per group + 8 best third-placed teams
New Round: Round of 32 adds extra knockout stage
Total Matches: 104 (up from 64 in previous format) -
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Daily Match Schedule StructureOpening Day: 2 matches (Mexico opener + Guadalajara match)
Day 2: 2 matches (Canada & USA openers)
Regular Group Days: 4 matches across 4 kickoff times
Final Group Days: 6 simultaneous matches to ensure fairness -
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Rest & Recovery ScheduleGroup Stage: Minimum 3 days between matches
Round of 32: 3-4 days rest after group stage
Later Rounds: 3 days rest maintained for 103 of 104 matches
Final: 4 days rest for both finalists after semi-finals
Broadcasting & Global Coverage
The 2026 World Cup will be broadcast globally with FOX holding United States English-language rights, Telemundo providing Spanish coverage, and comprehensive digital streaming ensuring worldwide access to all 104 matches.
📺 Official Broadcast Information
- USA English: FOX Sports holding exclusive rights through 2026
- USA Spanish: Telemundo/NBC Universo comprehensive coverage
- Streaming: FIFA+ and regional streaming platforms worldwide
- Innovation: First World Cup with planned halftime entertainment shows
- Times Square: Major fan festival and broadcast hub for final weekend
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Regional Zone SystemMinimized Travel: Teams grouped in regional zones during group stage
Fan-Friendly: Reduced distances between consecutive matches
Three Zones: Western (Pacific), Central (Midwest/Mexico), Eastern (Atlantic)
Smart Scheduling: Groups assigned to specific regions before draw -
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Ticket InformationFIFA.com/tickets: Official ticketing platform for all matches
Phases: Multiple sales phases expected through 2026
Hospitality Packages: Premium experiences available via FIFA partners
Host City Programs: Local fan festivals and viewing parties planned
Stadium Preparations & Infrastructure Updates
All 16 host stadiums are undergoing significant upgrades, with eight venues replacing artificial turf with natural grass and multiple stadiums widening their fields to meet FIFA’s strict dimensional requirements for the World Cup.
🏗️ Major Stadium Modifications
- Grass Installation: 8 stadiums replacing artificial turf with natural grass
- Field Widening: MetLife, SoFi, and AT&T Stadium removing seats for wider pitches
- Climate Control: 4 venues with retractable roofs ensuring optimal conditions
- Capacity Expansions: Temporary seating additions at multiple venues
- Transportation: New transit links including NJ busway and improved rail access
The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule represents the most ambitious tournament in football history, with 104 matches across 39 days showcasing 48 teams in 16 North American cities. From Mexico’s historic third hosting at Estadio Azteca to the grand finale at MetLife Stadium, every match promises to contribute to an unforgettable celebration of the beautiful game.
With the official draw on December 5, 2025, setting the stage for specific matchups and the tournament beginning June 11, 2026, football fans worldwide can begin planning their journey through what promises to be the greatest World Cup ever staged. The expanded format, innovative scheduling, and tri-national hosting arrangement ensure that the 2026 World Cup will set new standards for international football tournaments.