The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule includes every match of the tournament taking place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In one place, you can find the complete match calendar, fixtures for all participating teams, the group stage schedule, the knockout bracket, and kick-off times for every game. Check the most important World Cup dates and follow the continuously updated 2026 FIFA World Cup calendar, including results from every match.
2026 FIFA World Cup - Key Tournament Dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, while the final will be played on July 19, 2026. During 39 days of competition, fans will be able to follow matches played at 16 stadiums located across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Here are the most important dates of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
- June 11, 2026 - Opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- June 11-27, 2026 - Group stage
- June 28-July 3, 2026 - Round of 32
- July 4-7, 2026 - Round of 16
- July 9-11, 2026 - Quarter-finals
- July 14-15, 2026 - Semi-finals
- July 18, 2026 - Third-place match in Miami
- July 19, 2026 - 2026 FIFA World Cup Final
Opening Match at Estadio Azteca
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place on June 11 at the legendary Estadio Azteca. The stadium in Mexico City will make history as the first venue ever to host the opening match of three different FIFA World Cups. It is here that the biggest World Cup in football history will officially begin. The opening game will feature Mexico and South Africa.
When and where Is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Located in the New York metropolitan area, the stadium can accommodate more than 80,000 spectators.
Interestingly, it is not the largest venue of the tournament. That distinction belongs to the stadium in Dallas, which has a capacity of approximately 94,000 fans.
2026 World Cup Schedule - Group Stage and Knockout Stage
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is divided into two main phases. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, while the knockout stage begins on June 28. The quarter-finals are scheduled for July 9–11, the semi-finals for July 14–15, the third-place match for July 18, and the final for July 19, 2026.
How does the new 48-team knockout format work?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament in history to feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams. This means that a total of 32 teams will advance to the next round.
A major innovation is the introduction of the Round of 32, which will open the knockout phase of the tournament. From that point on, the traditional single-elimination format applies: the loser is eliminated, while the winner advances to the next round.
2026 World Cup Kick-Off Times
Because the tournament is being hosted in North America, many football fans in Europe will watch matches during the evening or even overnight hours. The earliest games are expected to kick off at around 7:00 PM Central European Time, while some fixtures will start after midnight or in the early morning hours.
Exact kick-off times for all 2026 FIFA World Cup matches can be found in the schedule on Scoreroom. There, you can check updated match dates, kick-off times, and results from every game of the tournament.