Key takeaways
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, spread across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
- For the first time, the tournament features 104 matches across an expanded 48-team format, organised into 12 groups of four teams.
- Kickoff times vary by host city and time zone, ranging from 12:00 noon ET to 9:00 pm ET for most group-stage matches.
- The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026.
- This article updates as results land; bookmark it as your canonical World Cup 2026 schedule tracker.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, organised in a new 12-group format before a 32-team knockout round. The final is set for MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026.
As of June 2026: what's current
The group stage is underway. This page reflects confirmed fixture dates, venues and kickoff times as published by FIFA's official tournament site. Scores and knockout-stage pairings are updated as matches conclude. Check back daily.
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What is the full World Cup 2026 schedule structure?
The expanded 48-team format changes the shape of the tournament significantly compared to previous editions. Here is the bird's-eye view.
Phase breakdown:
- Group stage: 11 June to 2 July 2026. Twelve groups of four teams, each playing three matches. The top two from every group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32.
- Round of 32: 4 July to 8 July 2026. Thirty-two teams, 16 matches.
- Round of 16: 10 July to 13 July 2026. Sixteen teams, eight matches.
- Quarter-finals: 14 July to 15 July 2026. Eight teams, four matches.
- Semi-finals: 17 July 2026. Two matches.
- Third-place play-off: 18 July 2026.
- Final: 19 July 2026, MetLife Stadium.
According to FIFA, the group stage alone accounts for 72 matches, making it by far the heaviest phase of the schedule. For a full breakdown of how the groups are constructed, see our [World Cup 2026 Groups guide with all 12 groups ranked and qualification scenarios](/articles/world-cup-2026-groups-ranked).
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World Cup 2026 phase-by-phase date table
| Phase | Dates | No. of Matches | Teams Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 11 Jun to 2 Jul 2026 | 72 | 48 |
| Round of 32 | 4 Jul to 8 Jul 2026 | 16 | 32 |
| Round of 16 | 10 Jul to 13 Jul 2026 | 8 | 16 |
| Quarter-finals | 14 Jul to 15 Jul 2026 | 4 | 8 |
| Semi-finals | 17 Jul 2026 | 2 | 4 |
| Third-place play-off | 18 Jul 2026 | 1 | 2 |
| Final | 19 Jul 2026 | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 11 Jun to 19 Jul 2026 | 104 | , |
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Where are the 16 host venues, and which matches go where?
The 16 host stadiums span three countries and multiple time zones. The United States hosts 11 venues, Canada hosts two (Toronto and Vancouver) and Mexico hosts three (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey). That spread creates real scheduling complexity for broadcasters and travelling fans.
The venues range from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which became the first stadium to host World Cup matches in three separate tournaments (1970, 1986, 2026), to the purpose-built AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. MetLife Stadium, with a capacity of roughly 82,500, will host the final.
For a venue-by-venue breakdown with capacity figures, transport links and fan advice, read our [World Cup 2026 host cities and stadiums guide](/articles/world-cup-2026-host-cities-stadiums-guide).
US host cities: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, Miami, Seattle, Boston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia.
Canada host cities: Toronto, Vancouver.
Mexico host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey.
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Host city kickoff time reference
Kickoff times depend on local time zone. The table below shows each host city, its time zone, and a general kickoff window FIFA has applied to group-stage matches.
| Host City | Time Zone | Typical Kickoff Windows (Local) | Typical ET Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 |
| Boston | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 |
| Philadelphia | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 |
| Atlanta | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 |
| Miami | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 |
| Kansas City | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
| Houston | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
| Dallas | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
| Los Angeles | PT (UTC-7) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 |
| Seattle | PT (UTC-7) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 |
| San Francisco | PT (UTC-7) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 |
| Toronto | ET (UTC-4) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 |
| Vancouver | PT (UTC-7) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 15:00, 18:00, 21:00 |
| Mexico City | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
| Guadalajara | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
| Monterrey | CT (UTC-5) | 12:00, 15:00, 18:00 | 13:00, 16:00, 19:00 |
Note: Specific kickoff times for individual matches are subject to broadcast scheduling adjustments by FIFA. All times are in summer (daylight saving) equivalents. Check FotMob's live fixture list for real-time confirmation.
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How does the Round of 32 work, and what are the key knockout dates?
The Round of 32 is a new concept for the World Cup. In previous 32-team tournaments, the first knockout round was the Round of 16. Now, with 48 teams entering and eight third-placed teams progressing, you get a full 32-team bracket before that stage.
This matters for scheduling because it adds an entire extra round of matches, concentrated into just five days (4 to 8 July). Teams that finish first in their group could theoretically face a third-placed team from a weaker group, while runners-up face other runners-up. The bracket pairings for the Round of 32 follow a pre-set FIFA template based on group letters, similar to the UEFA European Championship format.
Key knockout dates to mark in your calendar:
- Round of 32 opens: 4 July 2026 (US Independence Day, with at least one match confirmed in a US city)
- Round of 16: 10 to 13 July 2026
- Quarter-finals: 14 to 15 July 2026
- Semi-finals: 17 July 2026 (both matches on the same day, at different venues)
- Final: 19 July 2026, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
For live match stats and expected goals data as the knockout rounds progress, FBRef's tournament statistics hub and Understat are the best free resources. xG, or expected goals, is a metric that measures the quality of a shot based on historical data, giving a better read of true performance than the scoreline alone.
Want to track which teams are best placed to go deep? Our [World Cup 2026 winner predictions with data forecasts](/articles/world-cup-2026-winner-predictions) runs the numbers on the strongest contenders.
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Group-by-group fixture calendar (Groups A to L)
Below is a condensed reference for the group stage. Full match-by-match schedules within each group follow the pattern of three match days across 12 groups, running from 11 June to 2 July 2026.
How to read the schedule:
- Matchday 1 runs 11 to 17 June.
- Matchday 2 runs 18 to 24 June.
- Matchday 3 (final group matches, played simultaneously within each group) runs 25 June to 2 July.
Simultaneous final matchdays matter. On Matchday 3, both matches in each group kick off at exactly the same time. This rule, introduced at the 1982 World Cup to prevent collusion, applies here across all 12 groups. Expect congested scheduling between 25 June and 2 July, with multiple matches running in parallel each day.
Groups at a glance (teams as drawn):
- Group A: To be updated as group stage concludes.
- Groups B through L: Full fixture lists, including exact times and venues per match, are published on FIFA's official site and updated live on SofaScore.
For the complete breakdown of group compositions, seedings and which group contains the toughest draw, our [World Cup 2026 groups article ranks all 12 groups](/articles/world-cup-2026-groups-ranked) with qualification scenarios explained.
You can also track individual player performances and live ratings across every group-stage match at SofaScore's World Cup hub.
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When and where is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final is on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:00 ET (01:00 BST on 20 July, 02:00 CET on 20 July).
MetLife Stadium is the home ground of both the New York Giants and New York Jets in the NFL. Its capacity is approximately 82,500, and the venue does not have a roof, meaning weather is a factor. The stadium sits roughly 16 kilometres west of Midtown Manhattan and is accessible via the NJ Transit train network.
According to ESPN Soccer's World Cup coverage, ticket demand for the final surpassed any previous World Cup host venue in pre-tournament projections. The third-place play-off takes place the day before, on 18 July, at a venue confirmed closer to the semi-final results.
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How to watch every match live
Broadcast rights vary by country. In the United States, Fox Sports and Telemundo hold English and Spanish-language rights respectively. In the United Kingdom, ITV and BBC share free-to-air rights. In Canada, CTV and TSN are the primary broadcasters.
For a full country-by-country TV channel and live stream guide, including which matches are free-to-air and which require a subscription, read our dedicated article: [how to watch World Cup 2026 by TV channel and country](/articles/how-to-watch-world-cup-2026). It covers over 30 territories.
The BBC Sport football section and The Guardian's football desk also carry live text commentary and post-match analysis for every fixture.
For personalised match previews and data snapshots on any fixture in the schedule, try the free [Footballens MatchBrief tool](/app/brief). It pulls squad data, head-to-head records and form metrics into a single two-minute read before kickoff.
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Frequently asked questions
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 104 matches in total. That is 72 group-stage games across 12 groups, 16 matches in the Round of 32, eight in the Round of 16, four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the third-place play-off and the final. It is the first World Cup to reach 100-plus matches.
When does the 2026 World Cup start and finish?
The tournament opens on 11 June 2026 and concludes with the final on 19 July 2026. That is a 39-day window, the longest in World Cup history, reflecting the expanded 48-team format and the challenge of scheduling across three countries and multiple time zones.
What time zone are World Cup 2026 kickoffs in?
There is no single time zone. Kickoffs span Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT) and Pacific Time (PT) depending on the host city. Most televised group-stage matches in the US kick off at 12:00, 15:00 or 18:00 local time. Check the venue's local time against the table above, or verify on FotMob.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final being held?
The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July 2026. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 82,500 and is the shared home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets. It is accessible from Manhattan via NJ Transit rail.
What is the Round of 32 in the 2026 World Cup?
The Round of 32 is the new first knockout round, introduced because the 2026 tournament has 48 teams rather than 32. All 24 group-stage qualifiers from the top-two finishers, plus the eight best third-placed teams, play a 16-match elimination round between 4 and 8 July 2026 before the Round of 16 begins.
Which city hosts the most World Cup 2026 matches?
According to FIFA's venue allocation, the New York/New Jersey area and Los Angeles are among the cities with the highest match counts, each hosting multiple group-stage matches and at least one knockout-round fixture. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the final, giving that city the single most significant match of the tournament.
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The bottom line
The World Cup 2026 schedule is genuinely unlike anything that has come before. One hundred and four matches across 39 days and three countries is a scheduling exercise of unusual scale. Group-stage matches in Pacific Time will finish after midnight in Europe; the Round of 32 plays out at a pace that will eliminate quality teams before most neutral fans have processed the group stage. The final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium will be the most-watched single sporting event in 2026, and possibly ever. If you are planning to follow the full tournament, build your schedule around the simultaneous Matchday 3 group closers from 25 June onward, then treat each knockout round as its own event.
Stay current on every fixture by bookmarking our [World Cup 2026 homepage](/world-cup-2026) and the [full transfers and squad tracker](/transfers/summer-2026/all/all) for the latest team news that could affect your pre-match reading. Before any big game, the [Footballens MatchBrief](/app/brief) gives you everything you need in under two minutes.
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By the Footballens desk. Senior football writers covering the World Cup, transfers and analytics. Last reviewed June 2026.