The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one of the most ambitious and historic tournaments in football history. For the first time, the event will feature 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host countries — United States, Canada, and Mexico. From June 11, 2026 to July 19, 2026, fans will witness an extended festival of football across 16 iconic stadiums.
In this detailed guide, we cover the official FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule and fixtures, from the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the grand final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Whether you are planning to travel, watch live from home, or follow your favorite national team, this schedule gives you a clear picture of every stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
- Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Number of Teams: 48 (expanded from 32 in 2022)
- Total Matches: 104 (compared to 64 in 2022)
- Host Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico
- Host Cities: 16 cities across North America
- Opening Match: June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Final Match: July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
Tournament Format
The 2026 edition introduces a new competition format:
- Group Stage:
- 12 groups of 4 teams each.
- The top two teams from each group advance.
- The eight best third-placed teams also progress.
- Round of 32:
- First knockout stage, unique to the 2026 tournament.
- Knockout Rounds:
- Round of 32 → Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final.
- Duration:
- 39 days of non-stop football excitement.
Opening Matches – June 11 & 12, 2026
The tournament kicks off in spectacular fashion:
| Date | Venue | City | Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June 2026 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico vs TBD |
| 11 June 2026 | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | TBD |
| 12 June 2026 | BMO Field | Toronto | Canada vs TBD |
| 12 June 2026 | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | USA vs TBD |
These fixtures highlight the three host nations in the first two days, setting the stage for a balanced start.
Complete Group Stage Fixtures
Here is a structured look at the group stage schedule, featuring matches spread across North America.
June 13 – June 15 Fixtures
- Boston (Gillette Stadium) – Early group clashes.
- Vancouver (BC Place) – Canada’s second appearance.
- New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) – High-capacity crowd events.
- San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium) – First U.S. West Coast action.
- Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) – One of the most modern venues.
June 16 – June 20 Fixtures
- Seattle (Lumen Field) – Vibrant Pacific Northwest football.
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) – Historic American football ground hosting soccer.
- Houston (NRG Stadium) – Expanded capacity football events.
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) – Mexican fans return for loud support.
June 21 – June 25 Fixtures
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) – Matches in the U.S. Northeast.
- Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) – Caribbean influence adds flair.
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) – Home for Mexican fixtures.
By June 25, all group matches will conclude, and standings will determine who moves into the knockout rounds.
Knockout Stage Fixtures
Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3)
For the first time, the Round of 32 will feature 16 matches. Popular venues like SoFi Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Estadio Azteca, NRG Stadium, and AT&T Stadium will host these games.
Round of 16 (July 4 – July 7)
- 8 matches across Philadelphia, Houston, Mexico City, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta, and Vancouver.
- This stage reduces the competition to the top 8 quarterfinalists.
Quarterfinals (July 9 – July 11)
- July 9: Gillette Stadium (Boston)
- July 10: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- July 11: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
- July 11: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
Semifinals (July 14 & July 15)
- July 14: AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
- July 15: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Third Place Playoff (July 18)
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Grand Final (July 19, 2026)
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Capacity: 82,500+
- The world’s attention will be on this match, the highlight of the 104-fixture schedule.
Qualified Teams So Far
By September 2025, several national teams have already qualified either as hosts or through early qualifiers:
- Hosts: USA, Canada, Mexico
- Confirmed Teams: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, Jordan, New Zealand, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay
Other teams will secure their places after continental qualifiers conclude in March 2026.
Host Cities and Stadiums
The World Cup will spread across 16 host cities. Here’s a quick view of the stadiums:
| Country | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | 87,523 |
| Mexico | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
| Mexico | Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | 48,000 |
| Canada | Toronto | BMO Field | 30,000+ (expanded) |
| Canada | Vancouver | BC Place | 54,500 |
| USA | New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 |
| USA | Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 (expandable) |
| USA | Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 71,000 (expandable) |
| USA | Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,400 |
| USA | Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,200 |
| USA | Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,000 |
| USA | Boston | Gillette Stadium | 65,800 |
| USA | San Francisco Bay Area | Levi’s Stadium | 68,500 |
| USA | Seattle | Lumen Field | 68,700 |
| USA | Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 |
| USA | Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,300 |
This wide distribution ensures fans across North America experience the World Cup atmosphere.
Why FIFA World Cup 2026 is Historic
- Three Hosts: First time since 2002 (Japan & South Korea) that multiple nations co-host.
- Expanded Teams: 48 national teams give opportunities to new participants.
- Increased Matches: 104 fixtures create more viewing and ticketing chances.
- Economic Impact: Billions in revenue expected for North America.
- Fan Experience: Diversity of venues, from Mexico City’s historic Azteca to cutting-edge SoFi Stadium.
Travel and Fan Tips
- Plan Early: Matches spread across three nations mean fans may need multiple visas.
- Accommodation: Book hotels near stadiums like MetLife, SoFi, and AT&T early.
- Transport: Expect heavy use of domestic flights, trains, and buses in the U.S.
- Weather Considerations: June–July weather varies from humid in Miami to mild in Vancouver.
- Tickets: Sales will open through official FIFA ticketing platforms.
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule and fixtures reflect a historic expansion of the tournament, offering more games, more venues, and more opportunities for football fans worldwide. From Mexico City’s opening clash to the grand finale in New Jersey, every match will contribute to an unforgettable summer of football.
Fans, teams, and host cities are preparing for a global celebration that combines football passion with cultural diversity. This schedule is more than a list of fixtures — it’s the blueprint of a tournament that will set new records in scale, attendance, and excitement.