The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This tournament features 48 teams and is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Key points
2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, 2026
Co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States
First World Cup with 48 teams
Opening match features Mexico vs. South Africa
Historic tournament with first-time qualifiers
Mentioned in this story
Mexico City
FIFA World Cup
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Dates and full tournament schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is set, and the kickoff to the worldâs biggest soccer tournament is now less than two months away. Defending champion Argentina will be looking to claim back-to-back World Cup titles, while first-time qualifiers Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debuts on the biggest stage in soccer.
This yearâs edition is historic on multiple fronts; it marks the first time the tournament has ever been co-hosted by three nations, with Canada, Mexico, and the United States sharing duties across 16 host cities. It is also the first World Cup to feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the previous 32.
The tournament will kick off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where co-host Mexico will face South Africa.
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Swedenâs Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
Sweden's forward Viktor Gyokeres, right.
Q&A
What are the dates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will start on June 11, 2026, and will run through the tournament schedule.
Which countries are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
How many teams will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 teams.
Which team will play in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match at Estadio Azteca.
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Arda Guler of Turkey, right.
Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey
Turkey's forward Kenan Yildiz
Patrik Schick of Czechia, top.
Czechia's midfielder Tomas Soucek.
Bosnia-Herzegovina's forward Edin Dzeko, left.
Ermedin Demirovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Iraq's forward Ayman Hussein, left.
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12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Swedenâs Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
1 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
With World Cup qualifying now complete, national teams around the globe are turning their attention toward soccer's biggest tournament.
These are 12 incredible players to watch as they represent their countries on the World Cup stage.
Above, Swedenâs Alexander Isak plays for his national team. The forward is set to be one of the key figures for Sweden at the World Cup as he continues his role leading the attack for club and country.
2 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Sweden's forward Viktor Gyokeres, right.
3 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Arda Guler of Turkey, right.
4 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey
5 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Turkey's forward Kenan Yildiz
6 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Patrik Schick of Czechia, top.
7 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Czechia's midfielder Tomas Soucek.
8 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Bosnia-Herzegovina's forward Edin Dzeko, left.
9 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Ermedin Demirovic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
10 / 10
12 incredible soccer stars you need to follow in the World Cup
Iraq's forward Ayman Hussein, left.
The other two host nations follow the next day. Canada opens its first-ever World Cup as a host nation on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, while the United States kicks off its campaign the same day at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay. Each host nation is scheduled to play all three of its group-stage matches in its home country.
With 104 total matches spread across 16 cities over 39 days, the tournament concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Here is the full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule so you donât miss a single moment of the action.
The tournament kicks off with Group A matches in Mexico City on June 11, starting with host nation Mexico competing against South Africa. Afterwards, the action shifts to Estadio Guadalajara for the game between Korea and Czechia.
2026 World Cup full schedule
Full schedule for the 2026 World Cup according to FIFA.com:
Group Stage:
Thursday, June 11:
Group A: Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City), 3 p.m. ET
Group A: South Korea vs. Czechia (Zapopan, Mexico), 10 p.m. ET
Friday, June 12:
Group B: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Toronto), 3 p.m. ET
Group D: United States vs. Paraguay (Inglewood, Calif.), 9 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 13:
Group B: Qatar vs. Switzerland (Santa Clara, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Group C: Brazil vs. Morocco (East Rutherford, New Jersey), 6 p.m. ET
Group C: Haiti vs. Scotland (Foxborough, Mass.), 9 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 14:
Group D: Australia vs. TĂŒrkiye (Vancouver, Canada), 12 a.m. ET
Group E: Germany vs. Curaçao (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Group F: Netherlands vs. Japan (Arlington, Texas), 4 p.m. ET
Group E: Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador (Philadelphia), 7 p.m. ET
Group F: Sweden vs. Tunisia (Guadalupe, Mexico), 10 p.m. ET
Monday, June 15:
Group H: Spain vs. Cape Verde (Atlanta), 12 p.m. ET
Group G: Belgium vs. Egypt (Seattle), 3 p.m. ET
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 6 p.m. ET
Group G: Iran vs. New Zealand (Inglewood, Calif.), 9 p.m. ET (June 16)
Tuesday, June 16:
Group I: France vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, N.J.), 3 p.m. ET
Group I: Iraq vs. Norway (Foxborough, Mass.), 6 p.m. ET
Group J: Argentina vs. Algeria (Kansas City, Mo.), 9 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 17:
Group J: Austria vs. Jordan (Santa Clara, Calif.), 12 a.m. ET
Group K: Portugal vs. DR Congo (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Group L: England vs. Croatia (Arlington, Texas), 4 p.m. ET
Group L: Ghana vs. Panama (Toronto), 7 p.m. ET
Group K: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (Mexico City), 10 p.m. ET
Thursday, June 18:
Group A: Czechia vs. South Africa (Atlanta), noon ET
Group B: Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Inglewood, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Group B: Canada vs. Qatar (Vancouver, Canada), 6 p.m. ET
Group A: Mexico vs. South Korea (Zapopan, Mexico), 9 p.m. ET
Friday, June 19:
Group D: United States vs. Australia (Seattle), 3 p.m. ET
Group C: Scotland vs. Morocco (Foxborough, Mass.), 6 p.m. ET
Group C: Brazil vs. Haiti (Philadelphia), 8:30 p.m. ET
Group D: TĂŒrkiye vs. Paraguay (Santa Clara, Calif.), 11 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 20:
Group F: Netherlands vs. Sweden (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Group E: Germany vs. Ivory Coast (Toronto), 4 p.m. ET
Group E: Ecuador vs. Curaçao (Kansas City, Mo.), 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 21:
Group F: Tunisia vs. Japan (Guadalupe, Mexico), 12 a.m. ET
Group H: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Atlanta), noon ET
Group G: Belgium vs. Iran (Inglewood, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Group H: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 6 p.m. ET
Group G: New Zealand vs. Egypt (Vancouver), 9 p.m. ET
Monday, June 22:
Group J: Argentina vs. Austria (Arlington, Texas), 1 p.m. ET
Group I: France vs. Iraq (Philadelphia), 5 p.m. ET
Group I: Norway vs. Senegal (East Rutherford, N.J.), 8 p.m. ET
Group J: Jordan vs. Algeria (Santa Clara, Calif.), 11 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 23:
Group K: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Group L: England vs. Ghana (Foxborough, Mass.), 4 p.m. ET
Group L: Panama vs. Croatia (Toronto), 7 p.m. ET
Group K: Colombia vs. DR Congo (Zapopan, Mexico), 10 p.m. ET
Wednesday, June 24:
Group B: Switzerland vs. Canada (Vancouver, Canada), 3 p.m. ET
Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar (Seattle), 3 p.m. ET
Group C: Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 6 p.m. ET
Group C: Morocco vs. Haiti (Atlanta), 6 p.m. ET
Group A: Czechia vs. Mexico (Mexico City), 9 p.m. ET
Group A: South Africa vs. South Korea (Guadalupe, Mexico), 9 p.m. ET
Thursday, June 25:
Group E: Ecuador vs. Germany (East Rutherford, N.J.), 4 p.m. ET
Group E: Curacao vs. Ivory Coast (Philadelphia), 4 p.m. ET
Group F: Japan vs. Sweden (Arlington, Texas), 7 p.m. ET
Group F: Tunisia vs. Netherlands (Kansas City, Mo.), 7 p.m. ET
Group D: TĂŒrkiye vs. United States (Inglewood, Calif.), 10 p.m. ET
Group D: Paraguay vs. Australia (Santa Clara, Calif.), 10 p.m. ET
Friday, June 26:
Group I: Norway vs. France (Foxborough, Mass.), 3 p.m. ET
Group I: Senegal vs. Iraq (Toronto), 3 p.m. ET
Group H: Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia (Houston), 8 p.m. ET
Group H: Uruguay vs. Spain (Zapopan, Mexico), 8 p.m. ET
Group G: Egypt vs. Iran (Seattle), 11 p.m. ET
Group G: New Zealand vs. Belgium (Vancouver, Canada), 11 p.m. ET
Saturday, June 27:
Group L: Panama vs. England (East Rutherford, N.J.), 5 p.m. ET
Group L: Croatia vs. Ghana (Philadelphia), 5 p.m. ET
Group K: Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 7:30 p.m. ET
Group K: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (Atlanta Stadium), 7:30 p.m. ET
Group J: Algeria vs. Austria (Kansas City, Mo.), 10 p.m. ET
Group J: Jordan vs. Argentina (Arlington, Texas), 10 p.m. ET
Round of 32
Sunday, June 28:
Group A runners-up vs. Group B runners-up (Inglewood, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Monday, June 29:
Group C winners vs. Group F runners-up (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Group E winners vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place (Foxborough, Mass.), 4:30 p.m. ET
Group F winners vs. Group C runners-up (Guadalupe, Mexico), 9 p.m. ET
Tuesday, June 30:
Group E runners-up vs. Group I runners-up (Arlington, Texas), 1 p.m. ET
Group I winners vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place (East Rutherford, N.J.), 5 p.m. ET
Group A winners vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place (Mexico City), 9 p.m. ET
Wednesday, July 1:
Group L winners vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place (Atlanta), noon ET
Group G winners vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place (Seattle), 4 p.m. ET
Group D winners vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place (Santa Clara, Calif.), 8 p.m. ET
Thursday, July 2:
Group H winners v. Group J runners-up (Inglewood, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Group K runners-up v. Group L runners-up (Toronto), 7 p.m. ET
Group B winners v. Group E/F/G/I/J third place (Vancouver, Canada), 11 p.m. ET
Friday, July 3:
Group D runners-up vs. Group G runners-up (Arlington, Texas), 2 p.m. ET
Group J winners vs. Group H runners-up (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 6 p.m. ET
Group K winners vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place (Kansas City, Mo.), 9:30 p.m. ET
Round of 16
Saturday, July 4:
Round of 16 match 1 (Houston), 1 p.m. ET
Round of 16 match 2 (Philadelphia), 5 p.m. ET
Sunday, July 5:
Round of 16 match 3 (East Rutherford, N.J.), 4 p.m. ET
Round of 16 match 4 (Mexico City), 8 p.m. ET
Monday, July 6:
Round of 16 match 5 (Arlington, Texas), 3 p.m. ET
Round of 16 match 6 (Seattle), 5 p.m. ET
Tuesday, July 7:
Round of 16 match 7 (Atlanta), noon ET
Round of 16 match 8 (Vancouver, Canada), 4 p.m. ET
Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9:
Quarterfinal 1: (Foxborough, Mass.), 4 p.m. ET
Friday, July 10:
Quarterfinal 2: (Inglewood, Calif.), 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 11:
Quarterfinal 3: (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 5 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal 4: (Kansas City, Mo.), 9 p.m. ET
Semifinals
Tuesday, July 14:
Semifinal 1: (Arlington, Texas), 3 p.m. ET
Wednesday, July 15:
Semifinal 2: (Atlanta), 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, July 18:
Third-place game: (Miami Gardens, Florida), 5 p.m. ET
