When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Key Dates, Full Schedule, and Host Cities

The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is firmly going. For the first time in the history of the tournament there will be three host countries - the United States, Canada, and Mexico - and it will feature an expanded field of 48 teams. 

That means more matches, most host cities, and a month full of top end global football clashes at a scale we've never seen before. Whether you're planning to take in a tilt at the Estadio Azteca, or breaking the bank to catch the final at MetLife Stadium (or watching from the comfort of your couch or local pub), we have you covered with your complete 2026 FIFA World Cup guide.

⏰ When does the 2026 World Cup start?

The World Cup 2026 gets underway on June 11 at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and lasts until the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

In between, plenty of key dates remain:

• Group Stage: June 11 - June 27
• Round of 32: June 28 - July 3
• Round of 16: July 4 - July 7
• Quarter-finals: July 9 - July 11
• Semi-finals: July 14 - July 15
• 2026 World Cup Final: July 19

🌎 2026 World Cup host cities

The scale of this year's World Cup is enormous, taking place over vast distances across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Here are a look at the cities and venues where the action will kick off. 

United States:

• New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford, N.J.) - MetLife Stadium
• Dallas (Arlington), Texas - AT&T Stadium
• Kansas City, Miss. - Arrowhead Stadium
• Houston, Texas - NRG Stadium
• Atlanta, Georgia - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Los Angeles (Inglewood), Calif. - SoFi Stadium
• Philadelphia, Penn. - Lincoln Financial Field
• Seattle, Wash. - Lumen Field
• San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), Calif. - Levi's Stadium
• Boston (Foxborough), Mass. - Gillette Stadium
• Miami (Miami Gardens), Fla. - Hard Rock Stadium

Mexico:

• Mexico City - Estadio Azteca
• Monterrey, Nuevo Leon - Estadio BBVA
• Guadalajara, Jalisco - Estadio Akron

Canada:

• Vancouver, British Columbia - BC Place
• Toronto, Ontario - BMO Field

⚽ 2026 World Cup qualified teams and groups

There are 48 teams vying to win the 2026 World Cup, broken into their 12 groups.  

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Path D winner
• Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, UEFA Path A winner
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Path C winner
• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Path B winner
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zeland
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, IC Path 2 winner
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, IC Path 1 winner
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The final six spots

Six spots remain, with their Group Stage opponents already set. All six final teams will be settled on March, 31, 2026.

• UEFA Path A: Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland
• UEFA Path B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania
• UEFA Path C: Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, Romania
• UEFA Path D: Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Denmark, North Macedonia
• IC Path 1: New Caledonia, Jamaica, DR Congo
• IC Path 2: Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq

❓ 2026 World Cup FAQs

When does the 2026 World Cup start? 

The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11. The first two games of the tournament are Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca and South Korea vs. UEFA Path D winner at Estadio Akron.

When is the 2026 World Cup final? 

The 2026 World Cup final is on July 19. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., is the location for the game.

Where is the 2026 World Cup? 

The 2026 will be held at 16 venues throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Who is the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup? 

Spain is the betting favorite to win the 2026 World Cup.