FIFA Reveals Complete Schedule for 2026 World Cup: Key Dates and Matches
2026 World Cup Schedule Unveiled
On December 7, FIFA announced the comprehensive schedule for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, following the recent formation of groups for the 48-team event. Defending champions Argentina will kick off their title defense against Algeria on June 16.
The championship match is set to occur at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, commencing at 3 PM ET on July 19, as reported by ESPN. This timing ensures prime-time viewing for European audiences at 9 PM and for British viewers at 8 PM.
The tournament will begin with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, also starting at 3 PM ET. The group stage will wrap up on June 27, featuring teams like Argentina and Portugal, with stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Croatia, who finished third in the 2022 World Cup, and a talented England squad led by Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, and Phil Foden.
(Photo courtesy: FIFA)
The knockout phase will commence on June 28 and continue until July 3, followed by the round of 16 from July 4 to 7, quarterfinals from July 9 to 11, and semifinals on July 14 and 15.
A total of 78 matches will be hosted in the USA, with 13 matches each in Canada and Mexico. The quarterfinals will be exclusively held in the USA, with venues including Los Angeles, Boston, Kansas City, and Miami for the quarterfinals, while Dallas and Atlanta will host the semifinals, and New Jersey will be the site for the final.
Notably, South Korea, along with Canada and Mexico, is one of the few teams without any matches scheduled in the US. The US will have its first-round matches starting with a 9 PM ET kickoff against Paraguay in Inglewood on June 12, followed by a 3 PM ET match against Australia in Seattle a week later, and a 7 PM match on June 25 against either Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.