The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the world’s biggest football tournament. For the first time in history, the tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Matches will be played across 16 cities in the three countries.
The tournament begins on June 11, 2026, and will run for 39 days, concluding with the final on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
A major highlight of this edition is the expansion to 48 teams, making it the largest FIFA World Cup ever. The tournament will feature 104 matches, significantly more than previous editions.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Edition | 23rd |
| Host Countries | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Start Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Final Date | July 19, 2026 |
| Duration | 39 days |
| Total Teams | 48 |
| Total Matches | 104 |
| Final Venue | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
When Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start?
The opening match of the tournament will take place on June 11, 2026, at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Opening Match
- Mexico vs South Africa
- Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Kick-off: 1:00 PM (UTC-6)
- IST Time: 12:30 AM (June 12, 2026)
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will be played on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
- Kick-off: 3:00 PM (UTC-4)
- IST Time: 12:30 AM (July 20, 2026)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Tournament Schedule
Group Stage
- Start: June 11, 2026
- End: June 27, 2026
- Teams will compete in groups before progressing to knockout rounds.
Round of 32
-
Dates: June 29 – July 3, 2026
Round of 16
-
Dates: July 4 – July 7, 2026
Quarterfinals
-
Dates: July 9 – July 11, 2026
Semifinals
-
Dates: July 14 – July 15, 2026
Third-Place Playoff
- Date: July 18, 2026
- Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
- Date: July 19, 2026
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Selected Matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 11 | Mexico vs South Africa | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| June 12 | Canada vs UEFA Path A Winner | BMO Field, Toronto |
| June 12 | USA vs Paraguay | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| June 13 | Brazil vs Morocco | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| June 14 | Netherlands vs Japan | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| June 15 | Spain vs Cape Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| June 16 | France vs Senegal | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| June 16 | Argentina vs Algeria | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| June 17 | England vs Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| June 19 | Brazil vs Haiti | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
Cities Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches
The tournament will be played across 16 host cities:
United States
- New York / New Jersey
- Los Angeles
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- Miami
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- Houston
- Kansas City
- San Francisco Bay Area
Canada
- Toronto
- Vancouver
Mexico
- Mexico City
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
Key Highlights of FIFA World Cup 2026
- First World Cup with 48 teams
- Record 104 matches
- Hosted across three countries
- Estadio Azteca becomes the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches
- MetLife Stadium to host the final
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