Complete Guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule – From Opening Match to the Final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
It will also be the largest World Cup ever with 48 participating nations.
Here’s everything you need to know about the full match schedule, host cities, and key dates.
1. Opening Match – A Historic Kickoff in Mexico City
• Date: June 11, 2026
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
• Highlight: First stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches (1970, 1986, 2026)
2. Group Stage – Spanning Three Nations
• Dates: June 11 – June 27
• Format: 16 groups playing across 12 cities
• Host Cities:
– USA: Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Miami, Dallas, and more
– Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
– Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey
3. Knockout Rounds – From Round of 32 to Quarterfinals
• Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
• Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
• Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11
• All matches: Hosted in the United States (e.g., Chicago, Atlanta, Houston)
4. Semifinals & Final – The East Coast Finale
• Semifinals: July 14 and July 15 (Atlanta & Dallas)
• Final: July 19, 2026 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets, with a capacity of up to 87,000 — a fitting stage for the biggest football final in history.
5. Why This World Cup Is Historic
• First-ever 48-team format: More matches, new structure
• Cross-border hosting: Players and fans will experience three cultures
• High-capacity U.S. infrastructure: Knockout rounds centralized in top-tier U.S. stadiums
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup is not just another football tournament — it's a milestone in sports history, connecting nations and redefining the scale of the beautiful game. Now is the perfect time to explore the host cities, match calendar, and prepare for a once-in-a-generation global event.
• Date: June 11, 2026
• Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
• Highlight: First stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches (1970, 1986, 2026)
2. Group Stage – Spanning Three Nations
• Dates: June 11 – June 27
• Format: 16 groups playing across 12 cities
• Host Cities:
– USA: Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Miami, Dallas, and more
– Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
– Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey
3. Knockout Rounds – From Round of 32 to Quarterfinals
• Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
• Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
• Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11
• All matches: Hosted in the United States (e.g., Chicago, Atlanta, Houston)
4. Semifinals & Final – The East Coast Finale
• Semifinals: July 14 and July 15 (Atlanta & Dallas)
• Final: July 19, 2026 – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets, with a capacity of up to 87,000 — a fitting stage for the biggest football final in history.
5. Why This World Cup Is Historic
• First-ever 48-team format: More matches, new structure
• Cross-border hosting: Players and fans will experience three cultures
• High-capacity U.S. infrastructure: Knockout rounds centralized in top-tier U.S. stadiums
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup is not just another football tournament — it's a milestone in sports history, connecting nations and redefining the scale of the beautiful game. Now is the perfect time to explore the host cities, match calendar, and prepare for a once-in-a-generation global event.