FIFA World Cup schedule 2026: Complete match dates, times, team fixtures for soccer tournament

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The World Cup is going big for the 2026 edition of soccer's most illustrious tournament.

FIFA has decided to expand the World Cup field, while returning to North America for the very first edition of the competition to be hosted across three countries.

Held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 tournament will be contested by 48 teams, making this the biggest World Cup ever. The U.S. and Mexico have hosted before: the former staged the 1994 edition, while both the 1970 and 1986 finals took place in Mexico. For Canada, staging World Cup matches is a whole new experience.

The draw for the group stage was held on December 5, when all qualified nations learned their opponents and potential path to the final. The precise times and locations of all games were announced on Dec. 6.

Below, The Sporting News brings you an overview of the schedule, with results, kickoff times, venues, and highlights of all matches as they take place.

2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | World Cup draw results | Buy World Cup tickets

World Cup 2026 tournament format

The 2026 World Cup will be the first of the new expanded era of the competition. It will feature a 48-team field, with all competing nations beginning in the group stage.

At the draw, the teams were separated into 12 four-team groups, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout stage automatically. In addition, the top eight third-place finishers will also progress to the knockouts.

From there, the 32-team knockout stage begins, in traditional single-elimination format. The third-place finishers are all matched up against group winners, with a restriction that no group-stage rematches can take place in the Round of 32.

The eventual semifinalists will play eight matches each: three in the group stage, and five in the knockouts (Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and either the final or third-place playoff match).

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Complete World Cup 2026 match schedule

The FIFA World Cup draw was held on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The teams were distributed across the 12 groups and their pathways to a potential final were made clear.

The hosts were already pre-assigned certain places in the group stage: Mexico are in Group A, Canada Group B, and the USA in Group D. Additionally, new rules dictate that the world's top-four sides according to the FIFA rankings — Spain, Argentina, France and England — will be on opposite sides of the bracket so they cannot meet until the latter stages.

WORLD CUP GROUP STANDINGS:

Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F
Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L

World Cup 2026 group stage

All venues and kickoff times for each group stage match were officially announced by FIFA one day after the draw, on December 6, 2025.

World Cup 2026 groups

SN

Group A table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Mexico3110020+2
2.South Korea3110021+1
3.Czechia1201123-1
4.South Africa1201113-2

Group A fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Thu, Jun. 113 p.m.Mexico 2, South Africa 0Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 1110 p.m.South Korea 2, Czechia 1Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 1812 p.m.Czechia 1, South Africa 1Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Thu, Jun. 189 p.m.Mexico vs. South KoreaEstadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 249 p.m.Czechia vs. MexicoEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 249 p.m.South Africa vs. South KoreaEstadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)

STADIUM GUIDES: Estadio Azteca | Estadio Akron | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Estadio BBVA

Group B table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1.Switzerland4210152+3
2.Canada 11011110
3.Bosnia and Herzegovina 1201125-3
4.Qatar 11001110

Group B fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 123 p.m.Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1BMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 133 p.m.Qatar 1, Switzerland 1Levi's Stadium (San Francisco, CA)
Thu, Jun. 183 p.m.Switzerland 4, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jun. 186 p.m.Canada vs. QatarBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Wed, Jun. 243 p.m.Switzerland vs. CanadaBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Wed, Jun. 243 p.m.Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. QatarLumen Field (Seattle, WA)

STADIUM GUIDES: BMO Field | Levi's Stadium | SoFi Stadium | BC Place | Lumen Field

Group C table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Scotland3110010+1
2.Morocco11010110
3.Brazil11010110
4.Haiti0100101-1

Group C fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sat, Jun. 136 p.m.Brazil 1, Morocco 1MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sat, Jun. 139 p.m.Scotland 1, Haiti 0Gillette Stadium (Boston, MA)
Fri, Jun. 196 p.m.Scotland vs. MoroccoGillette Stadium (Boston, MA)
Fri, Jun. 199 p.m.Brazil vs. HaitiLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Wed, Jun. 246 p.m.Scotland vs. BrazilHard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL)
Wed, Jun. 246 p.m.Morocco vs. HaitiMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Group D table

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1. United States3110041+3
2. Australia3110020+2
3. Turkey0100002-2
4. Paraguay0101014-3

Group D fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Fri, Jun. 129 p.m.United States 4, Paraguay 1SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sun, Jun. 1412 a.m.Australia 2, Turkey 0 BC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fri, Jun. 193 p.m.United States vs. AustraliaLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Fri, Jun. 1911 p.m.Turkey vs. ParaguayLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Thu, Jun. 2510 p.m.Turkey vs. United StatesSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jun. 2510 p.m.Paraguay vs. AustraliaLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)

STADIUM GUIDES: SoFi Stadium | BC Place | Levi's Stadium | Lumen Field

Group E table

TeamPTSGPWLDGFGAGD
1. Germany3110071+6
2. Ivory Coast3110010+1
3. Ecuador0101001-1
4. Curacao0101017-6

Group E fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 141 p.m.Germany 7, Curacao 1NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Sun, Jun. 147 p.m.Ivory Coast 1, Ecuador 0 Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Sat, Jun. 204 p.m.Germany vs. Ivory CoastBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 208 p.m.Ecuador vs. CuracaoArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Thu, Jun. 254 p.m.Ecuador vs. GermanyMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Thu, Jun. 254 p.m.Curacao vs. Ivory CoastLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Group F table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Sweden3110051+4
2.Japan11010220
3.Netherlands11010220
4.Tunisia0100115-4

Group F fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 144 p.m.Netherlands 2, Japan 2AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Sun, Jun. 1410 p.m.Sweden 5, Tunisia 1Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 201 p.m.Netherlands vs. SwedenNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Sun, Jun. 2112 a.m.Tunisia vs. JapanEstadio BBVA (Monterrey, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 257 p.m.Tunisia vs. NetherlandsArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Thu, Jun. 257 p.m.Japan vs. SwedenAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Group G table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.New Zealand10010220
2.Iran10010220
3.Belgium10010110
4.Egypt10010110

Group G fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Mon, Jun. 153 p.m.Belgium 1, Egypt 1Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Mon, Jun. 159 p.m.Iran 2, New Zealand 2SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sun, Jun. 213 p.m.Belgium vs. IranSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sun, Jun. 219 p.m.New Zealand vs. EgyptBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fri, Jun. 2611 p.m.New Zealand vs. BelgiumBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fri, Jun. 2611 p.m.Egypt vs. IranLumen Field (Seattle, WA)

Group H table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Uruguay11010110
2.Saudi Arabia11010110
3.Spain11010000
4.Cape Verde11010000

Group H fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Mon, Jun. 1512 p.m.Spain 0, Cape Verde 0Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Mon, Jun. 156 p.m.Saudi Arabia 1, Uruguay 1Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sun, Jun. 2112 p.m.Spain vs. Saudi ArabiaMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Sun, Jun. 216 p.m.Uruguay vs. Cape VerdeHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Fri, Jun. 268 p.m.Uruguay vs. SpainEstadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Fri, Jun. 268 p.m.Cape Verde vs. Saudi ArabiaNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)

Group I table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Norway31100413
2.France31100312
3.Senegal0100113-2
4.Iraq0100114-3

Group I fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jun. 163 p.m.France 3, Senegal 1MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 166 p.m.Norway 4, Iraq 1Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Mon, Jun. 225 p.m.France vs. IraqLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Mon, Jun. 228 p.m.Norway vs. SenegalMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Fri, Jun. 263 p.m.Norway vs. FranceGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Fri, Jun. 263 p.m.Senegal vs. IraqBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)

Group J table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Argentina3110030+3
2.Austria3110031+2
3. Jordan0100113-2
4.Algeria 0100103-3

Group J fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jun. 169 p.m.Argentina 3, Algeria 1 Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Wed, Jun. 1712 a.m.Austria 3, Jordan 1Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Mon, Jun. 221 p.m.Argentina vs. AustriaAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Mon, Jun. 2211 p.m.Jordan vs. AlgeriaLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Sat, Jun. 2710 p.m.Jordan vs. ArgentinaArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Sat, Jun. 2710 p.m.Algeria vs. AustriaAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Group K table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.Colombia3110031+2
2.DR Congo11010110
3.Portugal11010110
4.Uzbekistan0100013-2

Group K fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Wed, Jun. 171 p.m.Portugal 1, DR Congo 1NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Wed, Jun. 1710 p.m.Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1 Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Tue, Jun. 231 p.m.Portugal vs. UzbekistanNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Tue, Jun. 2310 p.m.Colombia vs. DR CongoEstadio Akron (Guadalajara, MEX)
Sat, Jun. 277:30 p.m.Colombia vs. PortugalHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jun. 277:30 p.m.DR Congo vs. UzbekistanMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Group L table

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.England3110042+2
2.Ghana3110010+1
3.Panama0100101-1
4.Croatia0100124-2

Group L fixtures

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Wed, Jun. 174 p.m.England 4, Croatia 2 AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Wed, Jun. 177 p.m.Ghana 1, Panama 0BMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Tue, Jun. 234 p.m.England vs. GhanaGillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA)
Tue, Jun. 237 p.m.Panama vs. CroatiaBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Sat, Jun. 275 p.m.Panama vs. EnglandMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sat, Jun. 275 p.m.Croatia vs. GhanaLincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)

Ranking of World Cup 2026 third-place finishers

The top eight third-place finishers will qualify for the knockout stage, while the bottom four will be eliminated.

Pos.TeamPTSGPWDLGFGAGD
1.TBD00000000
2.TBD00000000
3.TBD00000000
4.TBD00000000
5.TBD00000000
6.TBD00000000
7.TBD00000000
8.TBD00000000
9.TBD00000000
10.TBD00000000
11.TBD00000000
12.TBD00000000

World Cup 2026 knockout stage

World Cup bracket 2026

Round of 32

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jun. 283 p.m.M1: 2nd, Group A vs. 2nd, Group BSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Mon, Jun. 291 p.m.M4: 1st, Group C vs. 2nd, Group FNRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Mon, Jun. 294:30 p.m.M2: 1st, Group E vs. 3rd place finisherGillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
Mon, Jun. 299 p.m.M3: 1st, Group F vs. 2nd, Group CEstadio BBVA (Guadalupe, MEX)
Tue, Jun. 301 p.m.M6: 2nd, Group E vs. 2nd, Group IAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Tue, Jun. 305 p.m.M5: 1st, Group I vs. 3rd place finisherMetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Tue, Jun. 309 p.m.M7: 1st, Group A vs. 3rd place finisherEstadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Wed, Jul. 112 p.m.M8: 1st, Group L vs. 3rd place finisherMercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Wed, Jul. 14 p.m.M10: 1st, Group G vs. 3rd place finisherLumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Wed, Jul. 18 p.m.M9: 1st, Group D vs. 3rd place finisherLevi's Stadium (Santa Clara, CA)
Thu, Jul. 23 p.m.M12: 1st, Group H vs. 2nd, Group JSoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Thu, Jul. 27 p.m.M11: 2nd, Group K vs. 2nd, Group LBMO Field (Toronto, CAN)
Thu, Jul. 211 p.m.M13: 1st, Group B vs. 3rd place finisherBC Place (Vancouver, CAN)
Fr, Jul. 32 p.m.M16: 2nd, Group D vs. 2nd, Group GAT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Fri, Jul. 36 p.m.M14: 1st, Group J vs. 2nd, Group HHard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Fri, Jul. 39:30 p.m.M15: 1st, Group K vs. 3rd place finisherArrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Round of 16

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sat, Jul. 41 p.m.M2: Winner, R32 M1 vs. Winner, R32 M3NRG Stadium (Houston, TX)
Sat, Jul. 45 p.m.M1: Winner, R32 M2 vs. Winner, R32 M5Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA)
Sun, Jul. 54 p.m.M3: Winner, R32 M4 vs. Winner, R32 M6MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
Sun, Jul. 58 p.m.M4: Winner, R32 M7 vs. Winner, R32 M8Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, MEX)
Mon, Jul. 63 p.m.M5: Winner, R32 M11 vs. Winner, R32 M12AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Mon, Jul. 68 p.m.M6: Winner, R32 M9 vs. Winner, R32 M10Lumen Field (Seattle, WA)
Tue, Jul. 712 p.m.M7: Winner, R32 M14 vs. Winner, R32 M16Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Tue, Jul. 74 p.m.M8: Winner, R32 M13 vs. Winner, R32 M15BC Place (Vancouver, CAN)

Quarterfinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Thu, Jul. 94 p.m.QF1: Winner, R16 M1 vs. Winner, R16 M2Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, MA)
Fri, Jul. 103 p.m.QF2: Winner, R16 M5 vs. Winner, R16 M6SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
Sat, Jul. 115 p.m.QF3: Winner, R16 M3 vs. Winner, R16 M4Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)
Sat, Jul. 119 p.m.QF4: Winner, R16 M7 vs. Winner, R16 M8Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)

Semifinals

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Tue, Jul. 143 p.m.SF1: Winner, QF1 vs. Winner, QF2AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
Wed, Jul. 153 p.m.SF2: Winner, QF3 vs. Winner, QF4Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)

Third-place match

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sat, Jul. 185 p.m.Loser, SF1 vs. Loser, SF2Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, FL)

Final

DateTime (ET)MatchLocation
Sun, Jul. 193 p.m.Winner, SF1 vs. Winner, SF2MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
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