World Cup 2026 Schedule and Key Fixtures
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 2026 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With 48 teams and 104 matches it is the largest World Cup ever staged. Here are the key tournament dates and schedule.
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 to June 27 2026 |
| Round of 32 | June 28 to July 3 2026 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 to July 7 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | July 9 to July 11 2026 |
| Semi-finals | July 14 to July 15 2026 |
| Third place play-off | July 18 2026 |
| Final | July 19 2026 |
Key Fixtures
- ⚽Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa — June 11 Estadio Azteca Mexico City
- ⚽England vs Croatia — Group L opener
- ⚽France vs Senegal — Group I opener
- ⚽Brazil vs Morocco — Group C blockbuster
- ⚽Argentina vs Algeria — Group J Kansas City
- ⚽USA vs Paraguay — Group D opener SoFi Stadium Los Angeles June 12
- ⚽Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — Group B opener BMO Field Toronto June 12
- ⚽Final: July 19 MetLife Stadium New Jersey
Key Facts
- →104 total matches
- →New Round of 32 added for the first time
- →Yellow cards wiped after group stage and after quarter-finals
- →All matches from quarter-finals onwards played in the United States
Frequently Asked Questions
When does World Cup 2026 start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final takes place on July 19 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey.
How long does World Cup 2026 last?
The tournament runs for 39 days from June 11 to July 19 2026.
How many matches are there at World Cup 2026?
There are 104 matches — the most in World Cup history.
When is the World Cup 2026 semi-final?
The two semi-finals take place on July 14 and July 15 2026.
What is the Round of 32 at World Cup 2026?
A new knockout stage where the top two from each of the 12 groups plus the 8 best third-placed teams play off — 32 teams in total.
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