World Cup 2026 Dates
The beautiful game is heading for an unprecedented celebration. From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the world will turn its attention to North America for the biggest FIFA World Cup in history. Co-hosted for the first time by three nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—the tournament promises 39 days of non-stop football across 16 iconic cities. This guide breaks down the complete World Cup 2026 dates, schedule, and everything you need to start planning for this historic event.
The 2026 World Cup at a Glance: Key Dates and Tournament Facts
Mark your calendars, because the World Cup 2026 dates are officially set. The tournament kicks off with a historic opening match in Mexico City on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and culminates with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
This edition shatters all previous records. It’s the first to feature 48 national teams—an expansion from the traditional 32—competing in a staggering 104 matches.
The structure is new: teams will be divided into twelve groups of four, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place teams advancing to a newly created Round of 32 knockout stage.
Here’s a quick overview of the tournament timeline: Stage Dates Key Details Group Stage June 11 - June 27, 2026 72 matches across 12 groups. Three matches per team. Round of 32 June 28 - July 3, 2026 First knockout round for the expanded 48-team format. Round of 16 July 4 - July 7, 2026 Traditional knockout round begins. Quarterfinals July 9 - July 11, 2026 Four matches to decide the final four teams. Semifinals July 14 - July 15, 2026 Hosted in Dallas and Atlanta. Third-Place Match July 18, 2026 Held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Final July 19, 2026 MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kickoff at 3 PM ET. A Deep Dive into the Tournament Schedule The Grand Opening and Group Stage (June 11 - 27)
The action begins at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where host nation Mexico will face South Africa on June 11. This historic venue, which hosted two previous World Cup finals, is the perfect stage to launch the first World Cup across three nations.
The other host nations start their campaigns the following day: Canada plays its opener in Toronto on June 12. The United States begins its journey later that same evening against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The group stage runs for over two weeks, with a feast of football daily.
Notable early clashes include a heavyweight Brazil vs. Morocco match in New York/New Jersey on June 13, and a European battle between the Netherlands and Japan in Dallas on June 14. The group phase concludes on June 27, setting the stage for the intense knockout rounds.
The Knockout Drama Unfolds (June 28 - July 19)
With the new 48-team format, the knockout stage begins with a Round of 32 from June 28 to July 3.
This adds an extra layer of high-stakes drama from the very start of the eliminations.
The tournament then progresses through the Round of 16 (July 4-7) and Quarterfinals (July 9-11).
