FIFA World Cup 2026 Dates, Groups and Match Schedule

The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on June 11, 2026, and ends with the final on July 19, 2026. This will be the largest World Cup ever, with 48 teams, 12 groups, and 104 matches played across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, and the new Round of 32 starts on June 28.

Your 2026 World Cup Guide

Because the tournament is spread across three countries and multiple time zones, the schedule will be one of the most important tools you can use during the competition. You will want to check not only who is playing, but also the date, stadium, host city, and match stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Key Dates

Tournament StageDateWhat You Need to Know
Opening MatchJune 11, 2026Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa
Group StageJune 11–27, 2026All 48 teams play their first three matches
Round of 32June 28–July 3, 2026The new expanded knockout stage begins
Round of 16July 4–7, 2026The tournament becomes more selective
QuarterfinalsJuly 9–11, 2026Only eight teams remain
SemifinalsJuly 14–15, 2026The two finalists are decided
Third-Place MatchJuly 18, 2026The losing semifinalists play for third place
FinalJuly 19, 2026The world champion is crowned

FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups

GroupTeams
Group AMexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia
Group BCanada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group CBrazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group DUnited States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group EGermany, Curaçao, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador
Group FNetherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Group GBelgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group HSpain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group IFrance, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group JArgentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group KPortugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Congo DR
Group LEngland, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

How the Group Stage Works

During the group stage, each team plays three matches. You should follow the table closely because every point can change the path to the knockout rounds.

What HappensWhy It Matters
48 teams are divided into 12 groupsMore countries are involved than in any previous World Cup
Each group has four teamsEvery team plays three group matches
The top two teams advanceFinishing first or second is the safest path
Eight third-placed teams also advanceA team can still survive even if it finishes third
The Round of 32 begins after the group stageOne more knockout round creates more drama

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule

Use the tables below to follow each group, match by match.

Group A Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 11, 2026Mexico vs South AfricaEstadio Azteca, Mexico City
June 11, 2026Korea Republic vs CzechiaEstadio Akron, Guadalajara
June 18, 2026Czechia vs South AfricaMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
June 18, 2026Mexico vs Korea RepublicEstadio Akron, Guadalajara
June 24, 2026Czechia vs MexicoEstadio Azteca, Mexico City
June 24, 2026South Africa vs Korea RepublicEstadio BBVA, Monterrey

Group B Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 12, 2026Canada vs Bosnia and HerzegovinaBMO Field, Toronto
June 13, 2026Qatar vs SwitzerlandLevi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
June 18, 2026Switzerland vs Bosnia and HerzegovinaSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 18, 2026Canada vs QatarBC Place, Vancouver
June 24, 2026Switzerland vs CanadaBC Place, Vancouver
June 24, 2026Bosnia and Herzegovina vs QatarLumen Field, Seattle

Group C Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 13, 2026Brazil vs MoroccoMetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
June 13, 2026Haiti vs ScotlandGillette Stadium, Boston
June 19, 2026Scotland vs MoroccoGillette Stadium, Boston
June 19, 2026Brazil vs HaitiLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
June 24, 2026Scotland vs BrazilHard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 24, 2026Morocco vs HaitiMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Group D Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 12, 2026United States vs ParaguaySoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 13, 2026Australia vs TürkiyeBC Place, Vancouver
June 19, 2026United States vs AustraliaLumen Field, Seattle
June 19, 2026Türkiye vs ParaguayLevi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
June 25, 2026Türkiye vs United StatesSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 25, 2026Paraguay vs AustraliaLevi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

Group E Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 14, 2026Germany vs CuraçaoNRG Stadium, Houston
June 14, 2026Côte d’Ivoire vs EcuadorLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
June 20, 2026Germany vs Côte d’IvoireBMO Field, Toronto
June 20, 2026Ecuador vs CuraçaoArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
June 25, 2026Ecuador vs GermanyMetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
June 25, 2026Curaçao vs Côte d’IvoireLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Group F Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 14, 2026Netherlands vs JapanAT&T Stadium, Dallas
June 14, 2026Sweden vs TunisiaEstadio BBVA, Monterrey
June 20, 2026Netherlands vs SwedenNRG Stadium, Houston
June 20, 2026Tunisia vs JapanEstadio BBVA, Monterrey
June 25, 2026Japan vs SwedenAT&T Stadium, Dallas
June 25, 2026Tunisia vs NetherlandsArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Group G Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 15, 2026Belgium vs EgyptLumen Field, Seattle
June 15, 2026Iran vs New ZealandSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 21, 2026Belgium vs IranSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
June 21, 2026New Zealand vs EgyptBC Place, Vancouver
June 26, 2026Egypt vs IranLumen Field, Seattle
June 26, 2026New Zealand vs BelgiumBC Place, Vancouver

Group H Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 15, 2026Spain vs Cabo VerdeMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
June 15, 2026Saudi Arabia vs UruguayHard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 21, 2026Spain vs Saudi ArabiaMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
June 21, 2026Uruguay vs Cabo VerdeHard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 26, 2026Cabo Verde vs Saudi ArabiaNRG Stadium, Houston
June 26, 2026Uruguay vs SpainEstadio Akron, Guadalajara

Group I Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 16, 2026France vs SenegalMetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
June 16, 2026Iraq vs NorwayGillette Stadium, Boston
June 22, 2026France vs IraqLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
June 22, 2026Norway vs SenegalMetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
June 26, 2026Norway vs FranceGillette Stadium, Boston
June 26, 2026Senegal vs IraqBMO Field, Toronto

Group J Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 16, 2026Argentina vs AlgeriaArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
June 16, 2026Austria vs JordanLevi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
June 22, 2026Argentina vs AustriaAT&T Stadium, Dallas
June 22, 2026Jordan vs AlgeriaLevi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
June 27, 2026Algeria vs AustriaArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
June 27, 2026Jordan vs ArgentinaAT&T Stadium, Dallas

Group K Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 17, 2026Portugal vs Congo DRNRG Stadium, Houston
June 17, 2026Uzbekistan vs ColombiaEstadio Azteca, Mexico City
June 23, 2026Portugal vs UzbekistanNRG Stadium, Houston
June 23, 2026Colombia vs Congo DREstadio Akron, Guadalajara
June 27, 2026Colombia vs PortugalHard Rock Stadium, Miami
June 27, 2026Congo DR vs UzbekistanMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Group L Schedule

DateMatchStadium / City
June 17, 2026England vs CroatiaAT&T Stadium, Dallas
June 17, 2026Ghana vs PanamaBMO Field, Toronto
June 23, 2026England vs GhanaGillette Stadium, Boston
June 23, 2026Panama vs CroatiaBMO Field, Toronto
June 27, 2026Panama vs EnglandMetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
June 27, 2026Croatia vs GhanaLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

The full group-stage fixture list, including dates, times, venues, and knockout paths, has been confirmed in the published tournament schedule.

How to Read the Schedule During the Tournament

You do not need to memorize all 104 matches. What matters is knowing how to follow the tournament in the right order.

What to CheckWhy It Helps You
Your team’s groupShows the first three opponents
Match datesHelps you plan which games to watch
Host cityShows where each match will be played
Final group matchOften decides qualification or elimination
Third-place rankingImportant because eight third-placed teams advance
Knockout pathHelps you understand possible opponents after the group stage

What You Should Watch Closely

  • Opening matches, because they set the tone for each team.
  • Second group matches, because they often decide who is close to qualifying.
  • Final group matches, because several teams may still be fighting for first, second, or third place.
  • Goal difference, because it can decide who advances.
  • Third-place standings, because 2026 allows eight third-placed teams to reach the Round of 32.
  • Time zones, because matches will be played across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Quick Schedule Summary

Main QuestionDirect Answer
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?June 11, 2026
When does the group stage end?June 27, 2026
When does the knockout stage begin?June 28, 2026
How many groups are there?12 groups
How many teams are in each group?4 teams
How many matches will be played?104 matches
When is the final?July 19, 2026
Where is the final?MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey

This schedule gives you the full path from the opening match to the final. Once the tournament begins, every result will reshape the table, the knockout bracket, and the story of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

As you follow the dates, groups, and match schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you may also want to know which nations have dominated the tournament over time. Read our ranking of the countries with the most World Cup wins and discover how football’s greatest champions compare throughout history.

WINNERS BY NATION

Meet you at the next World Cup story!