FIFA World Cup 2026: Schedule Confirmed Across Three Nations

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has announced the complete schedule for the 2026 World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament, which will feature 48 teams competing in 104 matches, marks the first time the World Cup will be staged across three countries.

The opening match will take place on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, where Mexico will face South Africa. This fixture carries symbolic weight, echoing the opening game of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg.

Key Fixtures and Venues

United States will host the majority of matches, including all knockout rounds from the quarterfinals onward. The U.S. Men’s National Team begins its campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.

Canada: Opens its tournament in Toronto on June 12, facing the winner of a European playoff.

Argentina, the defending champions, start their title defense against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.

Brazil will face Morocco in New York/New Jersey, while Spain will face debutants Cape Verde in Atlanta.

England vs. Croatia is scheduled for Dallas on June 17, a rematch of their dramatic 2018 semi-final.

The semifinals will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, both of which feature retractable roofs to ensure optimal playing conditions. The final is set for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a 3 p.m. ET kickoff—timed to maximize global prime-time audiences.

Tournament Expansion and Logistics

This edition introduces a 12-group format, with four teams per group. FIFA officials emphasized that the schedule was designed to balance team recovery, fan travel, and global broadcast reach. Matches are spread across 16 host cities, ranging from Vancouver and Toronto in Canada to Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico, and major U.S. venues including Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, and Philadelphia.

Historic Milestones

• The 2026 World Cup will mark the 1,000th match in World Cup history, scheduled for Monterrey on June 20, when Tunisia faces Japan.
• The tournament coincides with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, with Philadelphia hosting a Round of 16 match on July 4, 2026.

Global Anticipation

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, joined by legends including Ronaldo Nazário and Francesco Totti, unveiled the schedule in Washington, D.C., describing it as a “historic moment for football and for the three host nations”.

With the fixtures now confirmed, attention turns to the final qualification playoffs in early 2026, which will determine the last six teams to join the 42 already qualified.

In summary: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will open in Mexico City on June 11, feature 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19.