FIFA World cup 2026 Full Schedule, dates, Kickoff Times

The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule is built for a tournament unlike any before it. This edition expands the competition, adds more matchdays, and spreads the action across three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States. As fans plan watch parties, travel, and everyday routines around kickoff times, one thing becomes clear: having the full picture in one place makes everything easier.

This tournament is also historic because it introduces a 48-team format and a Round of 32, which means more games, more storylines, and more chances for surprises. The fixtures promise packed days, big venues, and matchups that can shift the mood of an entire group in one night. With the draw completed in late 2025 and FIFA publishing the updated schedule with venues and kick-off times on December 6, 2025, the roadmap is now clearer for fans who want to follow every stage.

Even so, it is smart to remember how scheduling works in a multi-country World Cup. Kickoff times can display differently depending on where you read them, because some platforms auto-convert to your location. FIFA’s official Scores & Fixtures page shows match times in your local time based on device settings, which is helpful—but it also means you should always label the time zone when sharing with friends.

Here are confirmed tournament dates, format, host stadiums, teams and groups, UK kickoff listings, and a time-zone guide plus a full group-stage schedule table and a clear breakdown of the knockout rounds.

Overview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Key Dates and What’s New

The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days of nonstop football. It begins with the opening match on June 11 and ends with the final on July 19 at the New York/New Jersey stadium site (MetLife).

What makes this World Cup stand out immediately is the scale. For the first time, 48 teams will compete. That change increases the match total to 104 games, which is a major jump compared to older editions. Because of this expansion, the tournament is designed with more matchdays and more planning needs for fans, broadcasters, and host cities.

Just as importantly, this is the first World Cup hosted by three countries. That means different cities, different local clocks, and a bigger travel footprint—so having a schedule that is easy to follow becomes part of enjoying the event.

World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Teams, 12 Groups, and a Round of 32

The 2026 edition uses a structure built for more inclusion and more tension earlier in the tournament.

Group Stage Format (12 groups of four)

• 48 teams are divided into 12 groups (A to L)
• Each group plays a round-robin format
• The top two teams in each group advance
• Plus the eight best third-placed teams also advance

This creates a larger knockout field and keeps more teams in the race deeper into the group stage.

Knockout Stage Upgrade: Round of 32

For the first time, the tournament includes a Round of 32, which begins immediately after the group stage. This adds more knockout matches early and increases the “one bad night and you’re out” drama that fans love.

Host Countries and Stadiums: Canada, Mexico, and the United States

The host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—automatically qualify, which adds extra emotion to the opener, the early home matches, and the overall atmosphere.

Canada venues (2)

Canada contributes two stadiums:

• BC Place (Vancouver)
• BMO Field (Toronto)

These venues are set up for major events and should deliver strong crowds and modern matchday experiences.

Mexico venues (3)

Mexico brings iconic football culture and three stadium locations:

• Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
• Estadio Akron (Zapopan)
• Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe)

Mexico City is especially notable because the opening match is played there, and Mexico City’s clock is stable during this period because it does not observe daylight saving time in 2026.

United States venues (11)

The United States hosts the majority of venues (11), including the final venue:

• MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) — Final site
• SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
• AT&T Stadium (Arlington)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
• Plus venues in cities like Seattle, Houston, Philadelphia, Santa Clara, and Foxborough (as reflected across the fixtures list)

Qualified Teams and Groups: The 2026 World Cup Lineup So Far

Many teams have secured qualification, while some slots remain contested through playoffs. Here is the group layout provided, including playoff placeholders.

Group A

Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and a playoff winner from Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia, or Republic of Ireland

Group B

Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, and a qualifier from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland, or Wales

Group C

Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti

Group D

USA, Australia, Paraguay, and a team from Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia, or Türkiye

Group E

Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curacao

Group F

Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, and a qualifier from Albania, Poland, Sweden, or Ukraine

Group G

Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H

Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cape Verde

Group I

France, Senegal, Norway, and a team from Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname

Group J

Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K

Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and a qualifier from DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia

Group L

England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

This group list is useful because it helps you track how big matchups form early, and how bracket storylines might develop once knockouts begin.

Kickoff Times and Time Zones

Kickoff times can look confusing in a World Cup spread across three countries. However, once you follow a simple rule, it becomes manageable.

What “kickoff time” means in practice

Some sites list times in a fixed time zone (like UK time). Others auto-convert based on your location. FIFA’s official fixtures experience shows match times in your local time based on device settings. That is great for viewing—but it also means that two people in different countries can see different kickoff times for the same match.

So, when you share match times with friends, always mention the time zone.

UK time note in this schedule

The group-stage table below lists kickoff times in UK time, which is BST during summer. Since matches take place across Pacific and Eastern zones in North America, a single UK kickoff time can represent very different local stadium times.

Example provided:

• 8pm UK can be 3pm ET or 12pm PT

Simple time conversion cheat sheet for Pakistan viewers

Pakistan uses PKT (UTC+5), and Mexico City uses CST (UTC-6) year-round, making Mexico City 11 hours behind Pakistan.

Note: DST rules differ by region, so confirm city time the week you travel.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule (June 11–June 27) — Kickoff Times in UK Time

The group phase runs from June 11 to June 27, with multiple games daily to fit the expanded tournament. The table below provides a day-by-day breakdown, showing how the matchdays build momentum and how the final group days include simultaneous kickoffs for fairness.

Kickoff times are listed in UK time (BST).

This group-stage listing shows how matchdays are arranged to reduce broadcast overlap and how the final group days use simultaneous kickoffs to protect sporting fairness.

Knockout Stages: Round of 32 to the Final (June 28–July 19)

After the group phase ends on June 27, the tournament moves straight into knockout football.

Round of 32 (June 28 to July 3)

The Round of 32 begins on June 28, featuring 16 matches over six days. The bracket is predetermined based on group positions and third-place rankings, which means fans can start mapping possible routes early. This stage also adds immediate pressure—one bad performance, and the tournament ends.

Round of 16 (July 4 to July 7)

The Round of 16 follows from July 4 to July 7, with eight matches. At this point, rest days and travel planning become more noticeable, and the intensity rises because every match feels like a final.

Quarter-finals (July 9 to July 11)

The quarter-finals run from July 9 to July 11, cutting the field down to four teams. This is usually the stage where tournament identity forms—whether it becomes a story of favorites dominating or underdogs pushing deeper.

Semi-finals (July 14 and July 15)

Semi-finals are scheduled for:

• July 14 in Arlington at 8pm UK time
• July 15 in Atlanta at 8pm UK time

Third-place match (July 18)

• July 18 at 10pm UK time in Miami

Final (July 19)

• July 19 at 8pm UK time in New Jersey (MetLife)

This final match is positioned as the tournament’s main global moment—one stadium, one trophy, and the last chapter of a 39-day journey.

Key Matches and Highlights Fans Are Watching

Even in a 104-match tournament, some fixtures naturally grab attention first.

• The opening match features Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico City, setting the tone immediately.
• The USA’s debut against Paraguay is expected to draw massive attention.
• Brazil’s group games, including the clash with Scotland, stand out as potential drama points.
• England’s group path includes a tough match against Croatia, which can shape early momentum.
• The final at MetLife Stadium promises the biggest spectacle of the tournament.

The schedule reveal on December 6, 2025 in Washington DC is noted as the major fixture update moment, with planning and preparations moving quickly since then.

How to Watch and Prepare: Fixtures Tracking, Viewing Habits, and Planning Tips

With so many matches, the biggest challenge is not finding games—it is following them in a calm and organized way.

Use official fixtures with filters to stay accurate

On FIFA’s fixtures experience, you can filter by:

• stage
• teams
• date

And match times display locally. This is one of the simplest ways to avoid time-zone confusion.

Keep an eye on changes even after the reveal

The schedule published in December 2025 is the baseline. However, minor changes can still happen later due to operations, broadcast needs, or local considerations. That is why many fans re-check matches the day before.

Watch smarter during the group stage

Group stage days can be packed, and “four matches per day” is often the rhythm. A realistic approach is to choose two anchor windows each day and catch highlights for the rest. That keeps the experience fun instead of exhausting.

Tickets and planning reminders (as presented)

Tickets went on sale post-draw, so travel planning matters. Broadcast rights are held by major networks, with streaming options available. Also, health protocols remain in place for safety.

FAQs

Quick Checklist to Stay Accurate as Fixtures Approach

• Save two trusted references: FIFA fixtures for local-time viewing, plus one reliable day-by-day schedule listing.
• Always share times with a time zone tag (UK BST, PKT, or local stadium time).
• Re-check the match the day before, because even small adjustments can affect travel and viewing plans.
• If you are following multiple teams, build a short “watchlist” so you are not scrolling through 104 matches every day.

Read Also: How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony