FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: All 104 Matches, Dates & Knockout Rounds

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the biggest edition in the tournament's history: the first played by 48 teams, the first hosted by three nations at once, and the first with 104 matches stretched across 39 days. With the group draw now final, fans can map out the entire schedule from the opening whistle in Mexico City to the final in New Jersey.

This guide is the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule. It lists every one of the 72 group-stage matches day by day — with the date, kickoff time in ET and host city — alongside the stage-by-stage breakdown, the two opening fixtures on June 11, the knockout dates and how the new Round of 32 works. It also covers the one connectivity question every traveling fan eventually asks: how do you stay online and reachable while chasing matches across three countries?

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 takes place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, a 39-day tournament hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is the first World Cup to expand to 48 teams and the first ever staged across three host nations, with 11 US cities, 3 Mexican cities and 2 Canadian cities.

The format is new for 2026. The 48 teams are split into 12 groups of four (Groups A through L), and every team plays three group matches. The top two teams from each group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams — a total of 32 sides that move into a brand-new knockout Round of 32.

That expansion is why the match count jumps from 64 at previous tournaments to 104 in 2026. More teams, more groups and an extra knockout round all add fixtures, which is exactly why a clear, fixture-by-fixture schedule is so useful for planning travel. The full group-stage list further down covers all 72 matches in order.

A few headline facts set the scene. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the first tournament any country has hosted three times — Mexico previously staged the 1970 and 1986 editions — and the first co-hosted by three nations spread across a continent. Matches run from coast to coast, from Vancouver in the northwest to Miami in the southeast, and from Mexico City in the south to Toronto in the north. For fans, that geographic spread is the single biggest planning challenge: choosing which host cities to base yourself in, and how to stay connected as you move between them.

It is also a tournament shaped by its calendar. Played in June and July, several day matches fall in the summer heat of Dallas, Houston, Miami, Monterrey and Kansas City — which is partly why a number of venues, including AT&T Stadium in Dallas, NRG Stadium in Houston, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and BC Place in Vancouver, have retractable roofs or full air conditioning. Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, by contrast, brings altitude rather than heat into play at roughly 2,240 m (7,350 ft) above sea level.

The 48-team field is stacked with contenders. Holders Argentina headline Group J, while France, Spain, England, Brazil, Germany and Portugal are among the favorites spread across the draw. Each opens its campaign during the group stage you can trace in full below, so whichever team you are following, the dates and host cities of its three group games are already set. From there, the route to the final is a single-elimination bracket where one defeat ends the run.

Full schedule by stage

The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule is organized into seven distinct stages, beginning with a 72-match group phase from June 11 to 27 and ending with the final on July 19. The table below shows every stage, its date window in 2026, and how many matches are played in each round.

Add those rows together and you get the full 104: 72 group matches plus 32 knockout fixtures. The early knockout rounds move quickly — the Round of 32 and Round of 16 each compress a lot of football into just a few days — while the schedule deliberately opens up toward the semi-finals and final to give teams recovery time.

Complete group-stage schedule: all 72 matches

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026 and delivers all 72 of the first-phase matches across the 16 host cities. The day-by-day tables below list every group-stage fixture in order, with the kickoff time, the two teams and the host city for each match. All kickoff times are shown in ET (US Eastern Time); convert to Central, Mountain or Pacific time for matches in those host cities.

The group stage builds steadily. June 11 opens with just the two fixtures in Mexico, the schedule widens to four matches a day through the first round of group games, and the final two matchdays — June 24 to 27 — pack in six matches each as groups play their decisive fixtures simultaneously to keep things fair. If you are planning a trip, those busy closing days are when a single host city can offer multiple games in quick succession.

Thursday, June 11 (2 matches)

Friday, June 12 (2 matches)

Saturday, June 13 (4 matches)

Sunday, June 14 (4 matches)

Monday, June 15 (4 matches)

Tuesday, June 16 (4 matches)

Wednesday, June 17 (4 matches)

Thursday, June 18 (4 matches)

Friday, June 19 (4 matches)

Saturday, June 20 (4 matches)

Sunday, June 21 (4 matches)

Monday, June 22 (4 matches)

Tuesday, June 23 (4 matches)

Wednesday, June 24 (6 matches)

Thursday, June 25 (6 matches)

Friday, June 26 (6 matches)

Saturday, June 27 (6 matches)

That is the complete set of 72 group-stage matches. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32 — you can see every group and squad in our FIFA World Cup 2026 groups and teams guide.

Group-stage matches by host city

Across the group stage, the United States stages 52 of the 72 matches, Mexico 10 and Canada 10. The table below shows how the first-phase fixtures are distributed across all 16 host cities — useful for deciding where to base yourself if you want to see several matches without long-haul travel between them.

The heaviest group-stage schedules sit in the big US venues, which is part of why most traveling fans spend the bulk of the tournament in the United States. Mexico's three cities and Canada's two host a smaller but meaningful share, including Mexico's marquee opener in Mexico City and Canada's home games in Toronto and Vancouver.

Opening matches on June 11, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 opens on June 11, 2026 with two confirmed fixtures, both kicking off in Mexico. Host nation Mexico plays the tournament's curtain-raiser against South Africa, followed later the same day by Korea Republic against Czechia.

Estadio Azteca is the historic heart of this opener — it is the only stadium reused from past World Cups, having hosted the finals in both 1970 and 1986. Mexico City also sits at roughly 2,240 m (7,350 ft) of altitude, which can affect how visiting teams and traveling fans feel in their first days on the ground.

Beyond these two confirmed openers, the United States (Group D) open at home against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, and Canada (Group B) open against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto the same day. The opening days set the tone, with at least one match in every host country inside the first week.

For fans arriving for the start of the tournament, this is the busiest stretch of travel. With games in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Toronto, Los Angeles and several other US cities all inside the first few days, supporters chasing their team are often on the move immediately — which is exactly when having a connection ready before you land saves time at the airport, on transit and at the stadium gates.

Knockout rounds (June 28 – July 19)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage runs from June 28 to July 19 and introduces a brand-new Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history. Across five knockout rounds, 32 teams are whittled down to a single champion in a straight single-elimination format. The exact pairings in each round depend on the final group-stage results, so matchups are confirmed only as the previous round finishes.

Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3): The 32 group-stage qualifiers meet in 16 matches over six days. This round is entirely new for 2026 — previous tournaments went straight from the group stage into a Round of 16 — and it is a direct result of the expansion to 48 teams.

Round of 16 (July 4 – 7): The 16 survivors play eight matches over four days, returning the bracket to the more familiar last-16 shape that long-time fans know.

Quarter-finals (July 9 – 11): Eight teams contest four matches across three days, with the winners booking semi-final places.

Semi-finals (July 14 – 15): The final four play two matches on consecutive days to decide who reaches the showpiece.

Third-place play-off (July 18) and Final (July 19): The two losing semi-finalists meet on July 18 in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET), before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey (3:00 p.m. ET) crowns the champion.

Because the knockout draw is single-elimination, the host city of each fixture is only locked in once the previous round is complete. That uncertainty is part of the fun — but it also means flexible travel and a connection that follows you across borders are genuinely useful from the Round of 32 onward.

How to watch the World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is broadcast worldwide, with the specific TV channel or streaming service depending on your region and rights holder. The table below shows the main broadcasters in the host countries and the United Kingdom.

In every other market a national broadcaster or streaming platform carries the matches, so the simplest approach is to check the listings for your country around each kickoff. For the official, up-to-date broadcast and schedule information, see FIFA.com.

If you are traveling and want to follow matches that are not on local TV — for example games from your home country while you are abroad — you will usually need the broadcaster or streaming service from your own region, plus a reliable data connection. That is another reason a generous data plan matters during the tournament: streaming a single match in HD can use several gigabytes, so heavy streamers should size their plan accordingly or lean on the unlimited option for the US legs of their trip.

One practical tip for travelers: kickoff times are listed here in ET, but host cities span the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific zones in the US plus Mexican and Canadian time zones. Double-check the local time for each match you are attending, especially when a single trip crosses several host cities in different zones. A late-night ET kickoff in Vancouver or Los Angeles, for instance, will start three hours earlier in Pacific time.

Tickets for the World Cup 2026

Tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing platform, which is also the safest place to verify dates, venues and any schedule updates as the knockout bracket fills in. The official ticketing information is available at FIFA.com/tickets.

Be careful with resale: buying tickets outside the official channels can void entry, leaving you unable to get into the stadium on match day. Stick to the official platform for every purchase, and confirm the venue and kickoff time for your match there before you travel.

One more practical point for knockout-stage trips: because the host city of each knockout fixture is only confirmed once the previous round finishes, ticket buyers chasing a specific team need to stay flexible on both travel and accommodation. Keeping your phone connected with a plan that works across the US host cities makes it far easier to react quickly when the next venue is announced.

Following your team across the host countries

There is no single Simbye plan that covers all three host nations at once, so the smart move is to match your eSIM to where your team actually plays. The good news: 11 of the 16 host cities — including the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium — are in the United States, so for most fans the bulk of the tournament happens on one plan.

For those US matches, the Simbye USA Unlimited eSIM is the strongest option, because it is not data-only. It runs on AT&T 5G nationwide across the United States and comes with a real US phone number, unlimited data, and unlimited calls to more than 100 countries plus unlimited SMS — which matters when you are confirming tickets, calling a hotel front desk, booking a restaurant or sorting out a rideshare on match day. Setup is instant via QR code, so you are online the moment you land.

A 10-day plan comfortably covers a one-week group-stage trip, while the 30-day plan spans nearly the whole tournament for fans following their team all the way to the July 19 final. Stadium Wi-Fi typically saturates within minutes once 60,000 to 80,000 fans connect at kickoff, so a reliable cellular plan is what keeps your maps, messages and match-day logistics moving.

How much data you actually need depends on how you travel. The estimates below are a useful starting point for budgeting your plan length and size around the schedule.

Add roughly 5 GB if you stream matches or highlights daily. For a one-city group-stage trip the 10-day USA Unlimited plan removes any guesswork, while fans hopping between host cities through the knockout rounds get the most value from the 20-day or 30-day plans — unlimited data means you never have to ration navigation, rideshare or video calls home on the road.

Get the USA Unlimited eSIM →

If your route also takes you to Canada for a match, the North America eSIM (USA + Canada) is a data-only plan that keeps you online on both sides of the northern border — 5GB for $17.95, 10GB for $24.95 or 20GB for $38.95. And for the games in Mexico, a separate Mexico eSIM handles data south of the border at 5GB for $14.95 or 10GB for $24.95. Pick the eSIM that fits each leg of your trip rather than expecting one card to do everything.

The simplest way to plan is to read your team's fixtures off the schedule above, note which countries those host cities sit in, and pick the matching eSIM (or eSIMs) for your route. A fan following the United States through the group stage and into the US-based knockout rounds needs only the USA Unlimited plan; a fan splitting time between US and Canadian host cities pairs it with the North America eSIM; and anyone attending the Mexican fixtures adds a Mexico eSIM. Buying the right plan per country is cheaper and clearer than hunting for a single card that does not exist.

You can buy and manage any of these eSIMs directly from the Simbye app on the App Store or Google Play, with instant QR installation before you fly. For the full plan comparison and budget data-only options, see our best eSIM for the FIFA World Cup 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts on June 11, 2026, when host nation Mexico faces South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with a 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff. It is the first match of a 39-day tournament that runs through July 19.

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is played on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, with a 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff. It is the last of the tournament's 104 matches and follows the third-place play-off on July 18 in Miami.

What are the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening matches?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 opens on June 11, 2026 with two matches: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (3:00 p.m. ET), followed by Korea Republic vs Czechia at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (10:00 p.m. ET).

How many matches are in the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 features 104 matches in total, up from 64 at previous tournaments. That breaks down to 72 group-stage matches plus 32 knockout-stage fixtures across five rounds.

Where can I see all 72 group-stage matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026?

All 72 FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage matches are listed day by day in the complete group-stage schedule above, with the date, kickoff time in ET and host city for every fixture from June 11 to June 27.

When do the United States, Mexico and Canada play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The United States open against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, then play Australia (June 19, Seattle) and Türkiye (June 25, Los Angeles). Mexico open the tournament against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City, then face Korea Republic (June 18, Guadalajara) and Czechia (June 24, Mexico City). Canada open against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 in Toronto, then play Qatar (June 18, Vancouver) and Switzerland (June 24, Vancouver).

What is the new Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The Round of 32 is a brand-new knockout round introduced at the FIFA World Cup 2026, played from June 28 to July 3. It exists because the tournament expanded to 48 teams, sending 32 qualifiers — the top two from each of 12 groups plus the eight best third-placed teams — into the first knockout round.

How can I watch the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is shown on FOX and FS1 (English) and Telemundo and Universo (Spanish) in the United States, TSN and CTV (English) and RDS (French) in Canada, Televisa and TV Azteca in Mexico, and BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom. Other countries have their own national rights holders.

How do I buy tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are sold exclusively through FIFA's official ticketing platform at FIFA.com/tickets. Buying from resale channels outside the official platform can void entry, so the official site is the only safe place to purchase and verify tickets.

Which eSIM is best for following the FIFA World Cup 2026?

For the US matches — 11 of the 16 host cities, including the final — the Simbye USA Unlimited eSIM is the strongest pick because it runs on AT&T 5G and includes a real US phone number, unlimited data and unlimited calls to 100+ countries (from $24.95). For Canada matches add the data-only North America eSIM (USA + Canada), and for Mexico matches use a separate Mexico eSIM. There is no single Simbye plan for all three host countries, so match the eSIM to each leg of your trip.

Related FIFA World Cup 2026 guides

• Best eSIM for the FIFA World Cup 2026: USA, Canada & Mexico (plans & prices)
• FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities: all 16 stadiums, airports & connectivity
• FIFA World Cup 2026 groups: all 12 groups, 48 teams & key fixtures

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About the author — Maria Vergadoro is the Customer Care lead at Simbye, where she helps travelers stay connected across 150+ destinations with eSIM data, calls and local numbers.