World Cup 2026
Schedule & Fixtures
The first 48-team World Cup runs June 11 to July 19, 2026 across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. 104 matches. One champion. Plan your viewing schedule here.
World Cup 2026 is underway — 0 days to the Final.
Tournament Schedule — Phase by Phase
Group Stage
June 11 – July 1, 2026 72 matches12 groups of 4 teams. Top 2 from each group + 8 best 3rd-placed teams advance.
Round of 32
July 3–6, 2026 16 matches32 teams compete. Win or go home. The 48-team format's unique knockout expansion.
Round of 16
July 8–11, 2026 8 matchesClassic knockout football. 16 teams, 8 winners advance to the quarters.
Quarterfinals
July 13–14, 2026 4 matchesEight teams left. Only four survive to the semifinal stage.
Semifinals
July 16–17, 2026 2 matchesThe final four. One step from the biggest stage in football.
Third Place
July 18, 2026 1 matchThe bronze medal match. Two semifinal losers battle for third place honours.
World Cup Final
July 19, 2026 1 matchMetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ. The biggest match in world football.
Group Stage — All 12 Groups
Group stage runs June 11 to July 1, 2026. Click each group for full hub with team profiles, predictions, and highlights.
Key Dates to Mark in Your Diary
June 11 — Opening Day
World Cup 2026 kicks off with the Opening Match. Expected to be one of the three host nations — Mexico, USA, or Canada — in a flag-waving stadium atmosphere.
July 1 — Final Group Stage Matchday
The most dramatic day of the group stage — all final group games played simultaneously. Qualification drama, last-gasp goals, and everything to play for.
July 3-6 — Round of 32 Begins
Unique to WC2026 — the Round of 32. The first knockout round where all 32 surviving teams enter. Massive upset potential when underdogs face giants.
July 13-14 — Quarterfinals
Eight teams left. AT&T Stadium, MetLife, SoFi and Mercedes-Benz host the biggest games of the tournament outside the Final. Classic World Cup football.
July 16-17 — Semifinals
The final four nations. One step from glory. Expected to be split between MetLife and SoFi Stadium — the two biggest WC2026 venues outside Mexico City.
July 19 — THE FINAL
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey. 82,500 fans. The biggest football match on Earth. One nation lifts the World Cup trophy on American soil.
World Cup 2026 Highlights
Neymar Returns | Scotland 0-3 Brazil | 2026 World Cup EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
FOUR LATE GOALS! Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2026 World Cup Match Highlights
U.S. Cerebral Palsy Women’s National Team Wins the World Cup 🇺🇸🏆
Argentina vs Morocco Highlights | FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026™
New Zealand vs Germany Highlights | FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2026™
1-Min Highlights | Mexico Complete Perfect Group Stage Against Czechia | 2026 FIFA World Cup
Match Highlights | Canada Hit Qatar For Six | 2026 World Cup
Imagine Scoring This World Cup Goal At 18 Years Old
60-Seconds: South Africa Secure First-Ever Knockout Spot | Korea Republic Miss Out | 2026 World Cup
ALL GROUP STAGE GOALS | Part 5 | 2026 FIFA World Cup
What A Group Stage For Vini Jr! All Four Goals | 2026 World Cup
LIVE NOW | USA v Paraguay | Group Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026™
Latest WC2026 News
How USMNT players designed the boldest kits in generations for World Cup 2026
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FIFA confirms historic World Cup 2026 broadcast rule change allowing fans to watch matches for FREE on YouTube
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World Cup 2026: FIFA strike 'game-changing' deal as politician addresses boycott talks
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FIFA strikes landmark deal to force huge change to BBC and ITV World Cup 2026 matches
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World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi
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World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi
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World Cup 2026: Argentina – the 'nasty' holders who have a 'new role' for Lionel Messi
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England squad reaction LIVE as Trent Alexander-Arnold snubbed in final team before World Cup 2026
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England squad reaction – Trent Alexander-Arnold snubbed in final team before World Cup 2026
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Wales World Cup 2026 squad: Craig Bellamy's latest selection ahead of the March international break
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