FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: All 104 Matches, Dates & Kickoff Times
Here is the complete match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. You will find every fixture, date, venue, and kickoff time below, plus a clear explanation of the new format and how to convert times to your zone. All kickoff times are shown in Eastern Time (ET).
104
Matches
48
Teams
39
Days
16
Venues
If you only want the headline dates: the World Cup starts on Thursday, June 11, 2026 with Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, and it ends with the final on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium just outside New York City. In between there are 104 matches over 39 days, making this the longest and largest World Cup ever held.
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27. The knockout rounds then follow in stages: the brand-new Round of 32 from June 28, the Round of 16 in early July, the quarterfinals from July 9, the semifinals on July 14 and 15, and finally the third-place playoff and the final on the closing weekend. The full day-by-day list is below.
Where the Matches Are Played
The tournament is spread across 16 stadiums in three countries. The United States hosts the lion’s share: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Canada hosts in Toronto and Vancouver, while Mexico stages matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
One thing worth knowing: FIFA uses generic city names for venues during the tournament to satisfy sponsorship rules. So SoFi Stadium is officially “Los Angeles Stadium,” MetLife Stadium becomes “New York New Jersey Stadium,” and Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca is referred to as “Mexico City Stadium” (or Estadio Banorte locally). We use the familiar names throughout this schedule so you always know which ground is meant.
World Cup 2026 Schedule: Common Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start and finish?
How many matches are at the 2026 World Cup?
What time is the World Cup 2026 final?
What is the new Round of 32?
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Explore the 12 Groups
See all 48 qualified teams divided into 12 groups, with links to every match guide.
Kickoff Time Converter
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