2026 FIFA World Cup: Host Countries, Schedule, Format, and Latest News

FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the tournament and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. According to FIFA's schedule, the final will take place on July 19, 2026, in New York, USA, while the opening ceremony and inaugural match will be held on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City. This edition will feature an expanded lineup of 48 teams, divided into 12 groups, and teams reaching the final will play a total of 8 matches.

2026 FIFA World Cup Host Countries and Venues

Canada, Mexico, and the United States as the joint host countries of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, marking the first time in history that the tournament is co-hosted by three countries. This edition will feature 16 host cities: 2 in Canada, 3 in Mexico, and 11 in the United States, covering a vast area across North and Central America. These venues will offer a rich and diverse viewing experience for football fans around the world.

Canadian Venues

BC Place in Vancouver (Winter Olympics venue) and BMO Field in Toronto (home of the national team) will host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mexican Venues

Mexico City will host the World Cup for the third time at Estadio Azteca, with Guadalajara and Monterrey also participating in the event.

U.S. Venues

MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey will host the final, with Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, and eight other cities also set to host matches.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on June 11, 2026, and run for 39 days, with the final taking place on July 19. A total of 104 matches will be played, promising an exciting tournament.

2026 FIFA World Cup Overview

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match taking place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

 This tournament will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups, with each team fiercely competing for a spot in the knockout stage.

The event will span over a month, culminating in the final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, where a new world champion will be crowned.


Key stages include the group stage, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.

Key Highlights of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule

  • Opening Match: June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City 
  • Group Stage: June 11 – June 26, 2026 
  • Round of 16: June 30 – July 3, 2026 
  • Quarter-finals: July 5 – July 6, 2026 
  • Semi-finals: July 9 – July 10, 2026 
  • Final: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA 

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: Group Stage & Knockout Stage

Group Stage

MatchDateKick-off TimeTeam AScoreTeam BHost City
1June 11, 2026--:--Mexico-/Mexico City
2June 11, 2026--:--/-/Guadalajara
3June 12, 2026--:--Canada-/Toronto
4June 12, 2026--:--United States-/Los Angeles
5June 13, 2026--:--/-/Boston
6June 13, 2026--:--/-/Vancouver
7June 13, 2026--:--/-/New York/New Jersey
8June 13, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
9June 14, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
10June 14, 2026--:--/-/Houston
11June 14, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
12June 14, 2026--:--/-/Monterrey
13June 15, 2026--:--/-/Miami
14June 15, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
15June 15, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
16June 15, 2026--:--/-/Seattle
17June 16, 2026--:--/-/Kansas
20June 16, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
21June 17, 2026--:--/-/Toronto
22June 17, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
23June 17, 2026--:--/-/Houston
24June 17, 2026--:--/-/Mexico City
25 June 18, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
26June 18, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
27June 18, 2026--:--Canada-/Vancouver
28June 18, 2026--:--Mexico-/Guadalajara
29June 19, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
30June 19, 2026--:--/-/Boston
31June 19, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
32June 19, 2026--:--USA-/Seattle
33June 20, 2026--:--/-/Toronto
34June 20, 2026--:--/-/Kansas
35June 20, 2026--:--/-/Houston
36June 20, 2026--:--/-/Monterrey
37June 21, 2026--:--/-/Miami
38June 21, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
39June 21, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
40June 21, 2026--:--/-/Vancouver
41June 22, 2026--:--/-/New Jersey / New York
42June 22, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
43June 22, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
44June 22, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
45June 23, 2026--:--/-/Boston
46June 23, 2026--:--/-/Toronto
47June 23, 2026--:--/-/Houston
48June 23, 2026--:--/-/Guadalajara
49June 24, 2026--:--/-/Miami
50June 24, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
51June 24, 2026--:--Canada-/Vancouver
52June 24, 2026--:--/-/Seattle
53June 24, 2026--:--Mexico-/Mexico City
54June 24, 2026--:--/-/Monterrey
55June 25, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
56June 25, 2026--:--/-/New York/New Jersey
57June 25, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
58June 25, 2026--:--/-/Kansas City
59June 25, 2026--:--USA-/Los Angeles
60June 25, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
61June 26, 2026--:--/-/Boston
62June 26, 2026--:--/-/Toronto
63June 26, 2026--:--/-/Seattle
64June 26, 2026--:--/-/Vancouver
65June 26, 2026--:--/-/Houston
66June 26, 2026--:--/-/Guadalajara
67June 26, 2026--:--/-/New York/New Jersey
68June 27, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
69June 27, 2026--:--/-/Kansas City
70June 27, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
71June 27, 2026--:--/-/Miami
72June 27, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta

Knockout Stage

Match No.RoundKick-off DateKick-off TimeTeam AScoreTeam BHost City
73Round of 32June 28, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
74June 29, 2026--:--/-/Boston
75June 29, 2026--:--/-/Monterrey
76June 29, 2026--:--/-/Houston
77June 30, 2026--:--/-/New Jersey / New York
78June 30, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
79June 30, 2026--:--/-/Mexico City
80July 1, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
81July 1, 2026--:--/-/San Francisco
82July 1, 2026--:--/-/Seattle
83July 2, 2026--:--/-/Toronto
84July 2, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
85July 2, 2026--:--/-/Vancouver
86July 3, 2026--:--/-/Miami
87July 3, 2026--:--/-/Kansas City
88July 3, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
89Round of 16July 4, 2026--:--/-/Philadelphia
90July 4, 2026--:--/-/Houston
91July 5, 2026--:--/-/New York/New Jersey
92July 5, 2026--:--/-/Mexico City
93July 6, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
94July 6, 2026--:--/-/Seattle
95July 7, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
96July 7, 2026--:--/-/Vancouver
97Quarter-finalsJuly 9, 2026--:--/-/Boston
98July 10, 2026--:--/-/Los Angeles
99July 11, 2026--:--/-/Miami
100July 11, 2026--:--/-/Kansas City
101Semi-finalsJuly 14, 2026--:--/-/Dallas
102SemifinalJuly 15, 2026--:--/-/Atlanta
103Third Place PlayoffJuly 18, 2026--:--/-/Miami
104FinalJuly 19, 2026--:--/-/New Jersey / New York

※ Note: Kick-off times are listed in local time.

How to watch the FIFA 2026 World Cup

To watch the exciting matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, fans can choose from various options including traditional TV broadcasts, online streaming platforms, RG FuYou Sports Live, or even attending the games in person.

Detailed Explanation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 participating teams, divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. This expansion aims to enhance competitiveness and diversity, giving more nations the opportunity to take part in the world’s biggest football event. **Group Stage**

Group Stage Phase

In the group stage, each of the 4 teams in a group will play a single round-robin, totaling 3 matches. A win earns 3 points, a draw earns 1 point for each team, and a loss earns no points.

Based on the points ranking, the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the Round of 16.

Additionally, the 8 best-performing third-place teams will also advance, ensuring a complete lineup for the knockout stage.

Knockout Stage Phase

The 32 teams advancing to the knockout stage will face off based on their group stage performance in a single-elimination format. The knockout phase includes the following rounds:

  • Round of 16: 32 teams will compete head-to-head, with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals.
  • Quarter-finals: The 8 winning teams will battle for a place in the semi-finals.
  • Semi-finals: 4 teams will compete in decisive matches to determine the finalists.
  • Final: The two finalists will face off on July 19, 2026, in a climactic match to crown the World Cup champion.

Advancement Process

If a knockout stage match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time. If the tie remains unresolved, a penalty shootout will follow to determine the winner.

2026 FIFA World Cup Team Profiles and Key Teams to Watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an unprecedented 48 participating teams, bringing fans even more thrilling matchups! In addition to traditional powerhouses, some new faces will also take the stage, all vying for the ultimate glory. Let’s take a look at some of the teams to watch:

法國

Brazil: Holding the record for the most World Cup titles, Brazil will enter the tournament with a formidable squad, aiming to reclaim the world champion title. Key players such as Neymar and rising young stars will be major highlights of this edition.

法國

France: As one of the recent World Cup champions, France remains a top contender in this tournament, backed by a deep roster of talented players and exceptional technical skills.

阿根廷

Argentina: Led by Lionel Messi and crowned champions in 2022, Argentina will continue their quest for World Cup glory. The new generation of players is set to take the spotlight and carry the team's legacy forward.

德國

Germany: With four World Cup titles, Germany is known for its consistent playing style and remains a perennial favorite in every tournament. Their solid defense and tactical coordination make them a formidable contender.

Debutant Teams

The expansion of the 2026 World Cup allows more nations to participate, with several making their debut on the world stage, including:

  • Qatar: After debuting as the host of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar will return in 2026, aiming to deliver another spirited performance.
  • Iceland: Making their World Cup debut, Iceland brings an element of surprise. Known for their impressive performances in the European Championship, this Nordic team draws global attention.
  • Palestine: As first-time qualifiers, Palestine will look to showcase their strength and unity, driven by resilience and strong team spirit.

Potential Title Contenders

This tournament features numerous potential title contenders. In addition to the traditional powerhouses, the following teams are also seen as strong candidates to win the championship:

  • Belgium: With their golden generation reaching maturity, Belgium boasts a well-balanced squad and a strong midfield, making them one of the dark horses of the tournament.
  • England: England has shown consistent performance in recent years, with young stars like Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford continuing to lead this traditional powerhouse in their quest for the title.
  • Portugal: Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s advancing age, Portugal still possesses a potent attacking lineup, with young talents like João Félix stepping up to take on greater responsibilities.

FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, many fans have common questions about the event. Here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding match schedules, ticket purchasing, and more to help you better understand the tournament.

1. When will the 2026 World Cup take place?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially begin on June 11, 2026, with the opening match held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament will run for over a month, culminating in the final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

2. Which countries will host the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States—marking the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries. Match venues include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and 11 major cities across the United States.

3. How can I buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup?

Tickets will be sold through the official FIFA website in multiple phases. Fans can register in advance on FIFA.com and stay updated with the ticket release schedule. Ticket options will include matches from the group stage, knockout rounds, semi-finals, and the final. It’s recommended to purchase early to secure seats for your preferred games.

4. Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup live?

The 2026 World Cup will be broadcast live by major TV networks and streaming platforms around the world. In regions like Taiwan, you can watch through ELTA TV, FuYou Sports Live, and possibly at sports bars or restaurants that air the matches.

5. How much do 2026 World Cup tickets cost?

Ticket prices vary depending on the match stage and seating section. Group stage tickets are generally more affordable, while prices increase for knockout rounds and the final. For detailed pricing and ticketing information, refer to official announcements on the FIFA website.