Guide · Updated June 2026
World Cup 2026 — Schedule, Venues & Viewer Checklist
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada and Mexico — 48 teams, 104 matches, sixteen host cities. This directory-style guide lays out the schedule, the venues, the time zones and a clear viewer's checklist so you can plan the whole tournament in one place.
Key dates at a glance
| Stage | Date | Venue / Location |
|---|---|---|
| Opening match | June 11, 2026 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Group stage | June 11 – June 27, 2026 | All 16 host cities |
| Round of 32 | Begins June 28, 2026 | Across host nations |
| Semi-finals | July 14 & 15, 2026 | Dallas & Atlanta |
| Third-place match | July 18, 2026 | Miami |
| Final | July 19, 2026 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
104 matches in total — 72 in the group stage and 32 in the knockout rounds.
Host cities & venues
Sixteen cities across three countries stage the tournament, from Boston in the east to Vancouver in the west and Guadalajara in central Mexico.
United States
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
Canada
Toronto, Vancouver
Mexico
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
Viewer's checklist
- • Plan around the group stage first — twelve groups of four play between June 11 and 27.
- • Confirm kick-off times in your own time zone before each match day.
- • A stable connection of 25 Mbps or more is recommended for high-definition viewing.
- • Keep the venue list handy if you are travelling to a host city.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start and finish?
It runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, opening at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and finishing with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How many teams and matches are there?
The 2026 tournament expands to 48 teams playing 104 matches — twelve groups of four, followed by a round of 32 and onward to the final.
Which countries are hosting?
Three nations co-host for the first time: the United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities) and Canada (2 cities), 16 host cities in total.
How can I watch the matches at home?
Follow the official broadcaster in your country and make sure you have a stable internet connection. The fixture calendar above helps you plan which match days matter most to you.
All World Cup 2026 articles
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Complete Guide 2026
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule and Fixtures 2026
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams List 2026
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups and Standings 2026
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadiums and Host Cities 2026
- → FIFA World Cup 2026 Predictions and Favorites 2026
- → Watch World Cup 2026 Live: Complete Directory
- → How to Watch World Cup 2026 Online: Full Directory
- → Where to Watch World Cup 2026: Full Country List
- → Watch World Cup 2026 Free & Paid: Full Options List
- → World Cup 2026 Today: Match Directory
- → Watch the World Cup 2026 Final Live: Full Guide
- → Watch World Cup 2026 on Any Device: Directory
- → World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Guide & Directory
- → World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times: Full Directory
- → Watch Every World Cup 2026 Match Live: Full Directory
Related resources
Other independent guides you may find useful:
This guide provides general schedule and venue information for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To watch matches, follow the official broadcaster in your region. FIFA, FIFA World Cup and related marks are trademarks of FIFA; this page is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA.