The 23rd FIFA World Cup, the biggest in history, will see 48 countries compete for the championship in a 39-day tournament held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The tournament will be held in North America for the first time in 32 years and will feature 104 matches at 16 venues in three countries.
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Argentina will aim to defend the trophy they lifted under iconic captain Lionel Messi at Qatar 2022, while Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will be making their first appearance in the final.
The tournament begins in Mexico and ends in the United States.
Here’s everything you need to know about teams, groups, formats and schedules.
What are the groups and teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
⚽ Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
⚽Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
⚽Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
⚽Group D: America, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
⚽Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
⚽Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
⚽Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
⚽Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
⚽ Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
⚽Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
⚽Group K: Portugal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
⚽Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
When and where will the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?
The tournament will begin on June 11th at 3pm (9pm GMT) at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico.
When and where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup final be held?
The final game will be held at MetLife Stadium, known as New York-New Jersey Stadium during the tournament, on July 19th at 3pm (8pm GMT).
Why did FIFA change the names of stadiums hosting World Cup matches?
To limit ambush marketing by brands not associated with FIFA, the governing body changed the stadium names of all venues to match the host city.
As a result, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium, and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was renamed Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament.
What is the format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The tournament will consist of one group stage round and four knockout rounds before the final.
Unlike previous competitions, the knockouts will begin with the round of 32, followed by the round of 16, four quarterfinal matches, and two semifinal matches.
Here is a stage-by-stage breakdown of the tournament schedule:
Group Stage: June 11th to June 27th Round of 32: June 28th to July 3rd Round of 16: July 4th to July 7th Quarterfinals: July 9th to 11th Semifinals: July 14th to 15th Bronze Medal Match: July 18th Final: July 19th
What is the full World Cup match schedule?
group stage
Thursday, June 11th
Mexico vs. South Africa, 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico City Stadium
South Korea vs Czech Republic 10pm (Friday 4am GMT) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday June 12th
Canada vs. Bosnia 3:00 PM (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
USA vs. Paraguay, 9pm (Saturday 05:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Saturday June 13th
Qatar vs Switzerland, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Brazil vs Morocco 6pm (23:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Haiti vs. Scotland 9pm (Sunday 02:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Australia vs. Turkiye, Late Night (Sunday 08:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Sunday, June 14th
Germany vs. Curacao, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Netherlands vs. Japan, 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador 7:00 PM (Monday 00:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Sweden vs. Tunisia 10pm (Monday 04:00 GMT) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Monday June 15th
Spain vs. Cape Verde, 12:00 PM (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Belgium vs. Egypt, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay 6:00pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
Iran vs. New Zealand, 9pm (Tuesday 05:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Tuesday June 16th
France vs. Senegal, 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Iraq vs. Norway, 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Argentina vs. Algeria 9pm (Wednesday 03:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Austria vs. Jordan, Late Night (Wednesday 08:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Wednesday June 17th
Portugal vs DRC 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
England vs Croatia, 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Ghana vs. Panama 7:00 PM (Thursday 00:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Uzbekistan vs Colombia 10pm (Thursday 04:00 GMT) – Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico City Stadium
Thursday, June 18th
Czech Republic vs. South Africa, 12:00 PM (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Switzerland vs. Bosnia 3:00 PM (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Canada vs. Qatar, 6pm (Friday 02:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Mexico vs. South Korea, 9pm (Friday 03:00 GMT) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Friday June 19th
Scotland vs. Morocco, 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
USA vs. Australia, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, USA
Brazil vs. Haiti, 9pm (Saturday 02:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Tolkien vs. Paraguay, Late Night (Saturday 08:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Saturday June 20th
Netherlands vs. Sweden, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Germany vs. Ivory Coast 4:00 PM (21:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Ecuador vs. Curacao, 8:00pm (Sunday 04:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Tunisia vs. Japan Late Night (Sunday 06:00 GMT) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Sunday, June 21st
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, 12:00 PM (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Belgium vs. Iran, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde 6pm (11pm Japan time) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
New Zealand vs. Egypt, 9pm (Monday 05:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Monday June 22nd
Argentina vs. Austria, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
France vs. Iraq, 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Norway vs. Senegal, 8pm (Tuesday 01:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New York, New Jersey, USA
Jordan vs. Algeria, 11pm (Tuesday 7:00am GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Tuesday, June 23rd
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
England vs. Ghana, 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Panama vs. Croatia 7:00 PM (Wednesday 00:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Colombia vs DRC 10pm (Wednesday 04:00 GMT) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Wednesday June 24th
Switzerland vs. Canada, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Bosnia vs. Qatar, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, USA
Scotland vs. Brazil, 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
Morocco vs Haiti 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Czech Republic vs. Mexico, 9pm (Thursday 03:00 GMT) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
South Africa vs South Korea 9pm (Thursday 03:00 GMT) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Thursday, June 25th
Ecuador vs. Germany 4:00 PM (21:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New York, New Jersey, USA
Curacao vs. Ivory Coast 4:00 PM (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Japan vs Sweden 7pm (Friday 01:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Tunisia vs. Netherlands, 7pm (Friday 01:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA;
Turkje vs USA 10pm (Friday 06:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Paraguay vs Australia 10pm (Friday 06:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Friday June 26th
Norway vs France, 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Senegal vs. Iraq, 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, 8pm (Saturday 02:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Uruguay vs. Spain, 8pm (Saturday 02:00 GMT) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico
Egypt vs. Iran, 11pm (Saturday 07:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, USA
New Zealand vs. Belgium, 11pm (7am GMT Saturday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Saturday June 27th
Panama vs England 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New York, New Jersey, USA
Croatia vs. Ghana, 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Colombia vs. Portugal 7:30pm (Sunday 02:30 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
DRC vs. Uzbekistan 7:30pm (Sunday 2:30am GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Algeria vs. Austria 10pm (Sunday 04:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Jordan vs. Argentina, 10pm (Sunday 4am GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
knockout stage
Sunday, June 28th
Round of 32 Match, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Monday June 29th
Round of 32 Match, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Round of 32 Match, 4:30pm (22:30 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Round of 32 Matches 9pm (Tuesday 03:00 GMT) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Tuesday, June 30th
Round of 32 Match, 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Round of 32 Match 5:00 PM (22:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New York, New Jersey, USA
Round of 32 Matches 9pm (Wednesday 03:00 GMT) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
Wednesday, July 1st
Round of 32 Match 12:00 PM (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Round of 32 Match, 4pm (Thursday 00:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, USA
Round of 32 Matches 8:00 PM (Thursday 04:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, USA
Thursday, July 2nd
Round of 32 Match, 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Round of 32 Match 7:00 PM (Friday 00:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada
Round of 32 Match, 11pm (Friday 07:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Friday, July 3rd
Round of 32 Match 2pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Round of 32 Match 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
Round of 32 Matches 9:30pm (Saturday 03:30 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Saturday, July 4th
Round of 16 Match 1:00 PM (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, USA
Round of 16 match, 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, USA
Sunday, July 5th
Round of 16 Match 4:00 PM (21:00 Japan Time) – New York, New Jersey, USA New Jersey Stadium
Round of 16 Match, 8pm (Monday 02:00 GMT) – Mexico City, Mexico City, Mexico City Stadium
Monday, July 6th
Round of 16 Match 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Round of 16 Match 8pm (Tuesday 04:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, USA
Tuesday, July 7th
Round of 16 Match, 12:00 PM (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Round of 16 Match, 4:00pm (Wednesday Midnight GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, July 9th
First Quarterfinal 4:00pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, USA
Friday, July 10th
2nd Quarterfinal 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Saturday, July 11th
Quarterfinal Round 3 5:00 PM (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
4th Quarterfinal 9pm (Sunday 03:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Tuesday, July 14th
First Semi-Final 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA
Wednesday, July 15th
2nd Semi-Final 3:00 PM (20:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Saturday, July 18th
Bronze Medal Match 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, USA
Sunday July 19th
Final at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New Jersey Stadium, New York, New Jersey, USA.
