From must-see matches to the grand finale, here’s a list of all the important dates on the 2026 World Cup schedule.
Published June 4, 2026
Block your calendar. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming!
From superstars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane to young players like Lamine Yamal, Arda Güler and Yan Diomande, some of soccer’s brightest talent is flocking to North America.
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As the 39-day tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Al Jazeera brings you a synopsis of key dates and matches.
June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa – 2026 World Cup opener in Mexico City June 12: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, USA vs. Paraguay – other co-hosts opener June 14: Germany vs. Curacao – Curacao becomes the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup June 15: Spain vs. Cape Verde – Cape Verde make their World Cup debut June 16: Argentina vs. Algeria, Austria vs. Jordan – Argentina begins its title defense and Lionel Messi begins his sixth World Cup campaign. Jordan plays in first World Cup June 17: Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uzbekistan vs. Colombia – Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal plays in his sixth World Cup. Uzbekistan participates in the World Cup for the first time June 27: Group stage ends
June 28th to July 3rd: Round 32 July 4th to 7th: Round 16 July 9th to 11th: Quarterfinals July 14th to 15th: Semifinals July 18th: Bronze Match July 19th: World Cup Final
Best matches of the World Cup group stage:
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June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C) June 14: Netherlands vs. Japan (Group F) June 16: France vs. Senegal (Group I) June 17: England vs. Croatia (Group L) June 18: Mexico vs. South Korea (Group A) June 20: Germany vs. Ivory Coast (Group E) June 20: Netherlands vs. Sweden (Group F) June 22: Norway vs. Senegal (Group I) June 22: Argentina vs. Austria (Group J) June 24: South Africa vs. South Korea (Group A) June 25: Japan vs. Sweden (Group F) June 26: Norway vs. France (Group I) June 26: Uruguay vs. Spain (Group H) June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K)
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11th. Check out Al Jazeera’s dedicated 2026 World Cup page for all the latest news, match progress and live text commentary, and stay up to date with group standings, real-time results and schedules.
