FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: All 104 Matches, Dates & Venues
The complete FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule with all 104 games, kick-off times, and stadium locations. Find matches by date, city, or team.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, featuring 104 matches across 16 stadiums in three countries over 39 thrilling days. Whether you're planning to attend in person or watching from home, here's your complete guide to the World Cup 2026 schedule.
Tournament Overview
| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| Start Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Final | July 19, 2026 |
| Total Matches | 104 games |
| Host Countries | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Host Cities | 16 cities |
Opening Day: June 11, 2026
The tournament kicks off with a historic match at the legendary Estadio Azteca:
Match 1: Mexico vs South Africa
- Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Time: 1:00 PM local (8:00 PM CET)
- Significance: First match of the first 48-team World Cup
Mexico gets the honor of opening the tournament at home, making Estadio Azteca the first stadium ever to host World Cup matches in three different tournaments (1970, 1986, 2026).
Host Nations' Opening Matches
All three co-hosts play on the opening weekend:
June 11, 2026
| Match | Venue | Local Time |
|-------|-------|------------|
| Mexico vs South Africa | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | 1:00 PM |
June 12, 2026
| Match | Venue | Local Time |
|-------|-------|------------|
| Canada vs TBD (UEFA Playoff Winner) | BMO Field, Toronto | 3:00 PM |
| USA vs Paraguay | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 6:00 PM |
The USMNT's opening match at SoFi Stadium will be one of the most anticipated sporting events in American history.
Marquee Group Stage Matches
These are the must-watch fixtures in the group stage:
Brazil vs Morocco (June 13)
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Time: 6:00 PM local
- Why it matters: 2022 semifinalists Morocco face five-time champions Brazil
Germany vs Curaçao (June 14)
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
- Time: 12:00 PM local
- Why it matters: Curaçao's historic World Cup debut against giants Germany
England vs Croatia (June 17)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Time: 3:00 PM local
- Why it matters: Rematch of the 2018 semifinal that Croatia won
Historic 1000th Match: Tunisia vs Japan (June 20)
- Venue: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
- Time: 10:00 PM local
- Significance: The 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history
Schedule by Stage
Group Stage: June 11-26
The group stage features 48 matches played across all 16 venues:
| Dates | Matches Per Day | Total |
|-------|-----------------|-------|
| June 11-14 | 4 matches | 16 |
| June 15-18 | 4 matches | 16 |
| June 19-22 | 4 matches | 16 |
| June 23-26 | Varies | Remaining group games |
Each team plays three group matches. The final matchday for each group sees both matches kick off simultaneously to prevent manipulation.
Round of 32: June 28 - July 4
The new knockout stage adds excitement with 16 elimination matches:
June 28-30: 8 matches
July 1-4: 8 matches
Key venues for Round of 32:
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
- AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
- Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Round of 16: July 5-8
Eight matches to determine the quarterfinalists:
| Date | Matches | Venues |
|------|---------|--------|
| July 5 | 2 matches | TBD |
| July 6 | 2 matches | AT&T Stadium, others |
| July 7 | 2 matches | TBD |
| July 8 | 2 matches | TBD |
Quarterfinals: July 9-11
Four matches across premier venues:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|------|-------|-------|
| July 9 | QF 1 | TBD |
| July 10 | QF 2 & 3 | TBD |
| July 11 | QF 4 | TBD |
Semifinals: July 14-15
| Date | Match | Venue |
|------|-------|-------|
| July 14 | Semifinal 1 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| July 15 | Semifinal 2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Final Weekend: July 18-19
| Date | Match | Venue |
|------|-------|-------|
| July 18 | Third-Place Match | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| July 19 | FINAL | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
The World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium can hold over 82,000 fans, making it one of the largest World Cup finals ever.
Matches by Host City
United States (78 matches across 11 cities)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium) – Most matches of any venue
- 8+ group stage matches
- Round of 32 matches
- Round of 16 match
- Semifinal (July 14)
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
- USA's opening match
- Multiple group stage games
- Knockout round matches
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Brazil vs Morocco (June 13)
- World Cup Final (July 19)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
- Group stage matches
- Third-Place Match (July 18)
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Group stage matches
- Semifinal (July 15)
Other US Cities:
- Houston (NRG Stadium)
- Boston (Gillette Stadium)
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
- Seattle (Lumen Field)
- San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium)
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
Mexico (13 matches across 3 cities)
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa
- Group stage matches
- Round of 32
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- Group stage matches
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
- Group stage matches including historic 1000th match
Canada (13 matches across 2 cities)
Toronto (BMO Field)
- Canada's opening match
- Group stage matches
Vancouver (BC Place)
- Group stage matches
Kick-Off Times Explained
With matches across three time zones (plus global audiences), kick-off times vary:
| Local Time (ET) | CET | UK | What to Expect |
|-----------------|-----|-----|----------------|
| 12:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Early matches |
| 3:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Afternoon matches |
| 6:00 PM | 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM | Prime time matches |
| 9:00 PM | 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM | Late matches (west coast) |
FIFA has scheduled marquee matches for prime time in multiple regions when possible.
How to Plan Your World Cup Trip
For Group Stage Matches
If you want to maximize matches in one city:
| City | Estimated Group Matches |
|------|------------------------|
| Dallas | 8-9 matches |
| Los Angeles | 6-7 matches |
| Miami | 6-7 matches |
| Houston | 6-7 matches |
| New York/NJ | 6-7 matches |
For Knockout Rounds
Key cities for late-stage action:
- Dallas: Semifinal + multiple knockout matches
- Atlanta: Semifinal
- New Jersey: Final
- Miami: Third-place match
Multi-City Routes
Popular travel routes for fans attending multiple matches:
1. Texas Triangle: Dallas → Houston → (connect to any west coast city)
2. East Coast: New York → Philadelphia → Boston
3. West Coast: Los Angeles → San Francisco → Seattle
4. Mexico Run: Mexico City → Guadalajara → Monterrey
Frequently Asked Questions
When does World Cup 2026 start and end?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11, 2026 (opening match in Mexico City) to July 19, 2026 (final in New Jersey). The tournament spans 39 days with 104 matches.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final?
The 2026 World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York metro area) on July 19, 2026.
How many matches are in World Cup 2026?
There are 104 matches in total: 48 group stage matches, 16 Round of 32 matches, 8 Round of 16 matches, 4 quarterfinals, 2 semifinals, 1 third-place match, and 1 final.
What time do World Cup 2026 matches start?
Kick-off times vary by venue and stage. Group stage matches typically start at 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, or 9:00 PM local time. The final match time will be announced closer to the tournament.
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View today's matches on our Live Scores page. For venue details and stadium guides, visit our Venues page.