The Complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule: All 104 Games

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is set to be an unprecedented global spectacle. For the first time, 48 teams will compete for the ultimate prize, playing a total of 104 games across 16 cities in three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Understanding the sprawling FIFA World Cup match schedule is the first step for any fan planning to follow the action.

This comprehensive guide provides a full breakdown of the tournament schedule, from the opening match to the final. We'll cover key dates, host city match allocations, and explain how the new 48-team format impacts the timeline. For an interactive, city-by-city breakdown of the matches, visit our Venue Schedule Page.

The 2026 World Cup Schedule at a Glance: Key Dates

Mark your calendars. The tournament will span 39 days in June and July 2026. Here are the most important dates to know:

• Opening Match: Thursday, June 11, 2026 (at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
• Group Stage: June 11 - June 27, 2026
• Round of 32: June 28 - July 3, 2026
• Round of 16: July 4 - July 7, 2026
• Quarter-Finals: July 9 - July 11, 2026
• Semi-Finals: July 14 - July 15, 2026
• 3rd Place Match: July 18, 2026
• World Cup Final: Sunday, July 19, 2026 (at New York/New Jersey Stadium)

The Group Stage Schedule (June 11 - 27, 2026)

The tournament kicks off with a massive group stage featuring 72 matches to whittle the 48 teams down to 32.

• Structure: The 48 teams will be drawn into 12 groups of 4.
• Opening Day: The tournament begins with two matches on June 11, 2026. One will feature co-host Mexico at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The other match will take place in Guadalajara.
• Host Nation Matches: Co-hosts USA and Canada will play their opening matches on June 12 in Los Angeles and Toronto, respectively.
• Final Group Matches: The final day of the group stage on June 27 will be the busiest of the tournament, with six matches scheduled across different venues.

While we know the dates and locations, the specific teams and matchups in the FIFA World Cup match schedule will only be known after the Final Draw on December 5, 2025.

Want to see what kind of exciting matchups the draw could produce?

The Knockout Stage Schedule: A New Round of 32

With the expanded format comes a brand-new knockout round: the Round of 32. This is where the tournament becomes a do-or-die, single-elimination bracket.

• Round of 32 (June 28 - July 3): For the first time ever, 32 teams will advance from the group stage (the top two from each group, plus the eight best 3rd-place teams). Every host city except Guadalajara and Philadelphia will host at least one Round of 32 match. Los Angeles and Dallas will host two each.
• Round of 16 (July 4 - 7): The winners advance to the traditional Round of 16.
• Quarter-Finals (July 9 - 11): The final eight teams will battle it out in Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Miami.
• Semi-Finals (July 14 - 15): The two semi-final matches will be held in Atlanta and Dallas.
• 3rd Place Match (July 18): The Bronze Final will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
• The Final (July 19): The new world champion will be crowned at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.

Host City & Stadium Match Allocations

One of the most exciting parts of the FIFA World Cup match schedule is seeing which games your city will host. Here is a complete breakdown of the 104 matches distributed across the 16 host cities.

United States

• Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium): 8 matches (5 Group, 1 R32, 1 R16, 1 Semi-Final)
• Boston (Gillette Stadium): 7 matches (5 Group, 1 R32, 1 Quarter-Final)
• Dallas (AT&T Stadium): 9 matches (5 Group, 2 R32, 1 R16, 1 Semi-Final) - most matches of any city
• Houston (NRG Stadium): 7 matches (5 Group, 1 R32, 1 R16)
• Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium): 6 matches (4 Group, 1 R32, 1 Quarter-Final)
• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium): 8 matches (5 Group, 2 R32, 1 Quarter-Final) - including the USMNT opener
• Miami (Hard Rock Stadium): 7 matches (4 Group, 1 R32, 1 Quarter-Final, 3rd Place Match)
• New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium): 8 matches (5 Group, 1 R32, 1 R16, The Final)
• Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field): 6 matches (5 Group, 1 R16)
• San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium): 6 matches (5 Group, 1 R32)

Canada

• Toronto (BMO Field): 6 matches (5 Group, 1 R32) - including the CanMNT opener
• Vancouver (BC Place): 7 matches (5 Group, 1 R32, 1 R16)

Mexico

• Guadalajara (Estadio Akron): 4 matches (4 Group)
• Mexico City (Estadio Azteca): 5 matches (3 Group, 1 R32, 1 R16) - including the tournament opener
• Monterrey (Estadio BBVA): 4 matches (3 Group, 1 R32)

For a more detailed, city-by-city view, check out our dedicated Venue Schedule Page.

How the World Cup Draw Shapes the Schedule

It's important to remember that the FIFA World Cup match schedule released by FIFA is a template. It tells us the date, time, and location of Match #1, Match #2, and so on. However, we don't know who is playing in those matches until the group draw is complete.

The Final Draw on December 5, 2025, is the event that fills in the blanks. The draw will place each of the 48 qualified teams into the 12 groups, which in turn slots them into the predetermined schedule. This is when you'll finally be able to circle dates on your calendar and say, "Brazil is playing Germany in Los Angeles on this day!"

This is what makes using a World Cup Draw Simulator so compelling. It allows you to see all the potential ways the schedule could be filled out, creating dream matchups and nightmare "Groups of Death."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: When will specific kickoff times for the matches be announced? A: FIFA will announce the kickoff times for each match after the Final Draw in December 2025. This allows them to optimize times for local and international television audiences.

Q: Where will the host nations play their group stage games? A:

• USA: Los Angeles (June 12), Seattle (June 19), Los Angeles (June 25)
• Canada: Toronto (June 12), Vancouver (June 18 & 24)
• Mexico: Mexico City (June 11 & 24), Guadalajara (June 18)

Q: How do I buy tickets for a specific match on the schedule? A: You must use the official FIFA ticketing portal. Before the draw, you can only apply for tickets by date and venue. After the draw, you can apply for specific matches in the Post-Draw Lottery phase. For a complete overview, read our Ultimate Guide to Securing World Cup Tickets.

Conclusion

The 104-game FIFA World Cup match schedule is the roadmap for the biggest football journey the world has ever seen. From the historic opening match at Estadio Azteca to the grand finale in New York/New Jersey, the tournament is packed with can't-miss moments.

While the teams are not yet set in stone, the schedule gives us a clear picture of where and when the drama will unfold. Use this guide and our on-site tools to start planning your World Cup 2026 experience today!