The football’s biggest-ever global tournament, FIFA World Cup 2026 official qualifying playoffs are complete, and 48 participating nations are now confirmed for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This completion is already making history as the First World Cup featuring 48 teams and the first men’s World Cup hosted by three nations.

One of the host countries, Mexico, is playing the opening match of the World Cup 2026 on June 12 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City against South Africa. IT will also face Korea and Czechia in Group A.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the 23rd edition and the first to feature 48 teams, hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, starting on June 11.

Another hosting country of the tournament, the United States, was automatically qualified for Group D and will begin its tournament on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay.

Canada is in Group B and will play Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto. It will play the final two group stage games against Qatar and Switzerland.

The Host Cities

The tournament will have 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with the following chosen in the final listing.

Canada: Vancouver and Toronto

Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey

United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

FIFA World Cup 2026 Format

Under the new format, the 48 qualified nations will be divided into 12 groups of four teams. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from every group automatically advancing to the knockout stage. They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams, creating a 32-team knockout round for the first time in World Cup history.

FIFA has also introduced a new knockout pathway system designed to keep the highest-ranked teams apart until the later stages of the tournament. If favorites such as Spain, Argentina, France, and England win their groups, they will not face each other before the semifinals.

Teams tied on points will be separated by goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head record, fair play points, and finally, a drawing of lots if needed.

The traditional draw rules remain in place, meaning teams from the same confederation cannot be placed in the same group, except for European nations.

With more teams, more matches, and more opportunities for emerging football nations, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to deliver the most competitive and globally diverse tournament in football history.

Tournament Schedule

World Cup 2026 groups match schedules

GROUP A

• Mexico
• South Africa
• Korea Republic
• Czechia

Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. Czechia, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)

GROUP B

• Canada
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Qatar
• Switzerland

Friday, June 12, 3 p.m. (Fox): Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 13, 3 p.m. (Fox): Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)

GROUP C

• Brazil
• Morocco
• Haiti
• Scotland

Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. (FS1): Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. (Fox): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

GROUP D

• United States
• Paraguay
• Australia
• Türkiye

Friday, June 12, 9 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. Türkiye, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 19, 11 p.m. (FS1): Türkiye vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (Fox): Türkiye vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)

GROUP E

• Germany
• Curaçao
• Ivory Coast
• Ecuador

Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (Fox): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

GROUP F

• Netherlands
• Japan
• Sweden
• Tunisia

Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sunday, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): Sweden vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Sweden, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, México)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. Sweden, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (Fox): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

GROUP G

• Belgium
• Egypt
• Iran
• New Zealand

Monday, June 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Monday, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)

GROUP H

• Spain
• Cape Verde
• Saudi Arabia
• Uruguay

Monday, June 15, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Monday, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

GROUP I

• France
• Senegal
• Iraq
• Norway

Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq, BMO Field (Toronto)

GROUP J

• Argentina
• Algeria
• Austria
• Jordan

Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

GROUP K

• Portugal
• DR Congo
• Uzbekistan
• Colombia

Friday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. DR Congo, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

GROUP L

• England
• Croatia
• Ghana
• Panama

Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Friday, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

World Cup knockout round schedule

Round of 32
Sunday, June 28, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group A second place vs. Group B second place, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Monday, June 29, 1 p.m. (Fox): Group C winner vs. Group F second place, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. (Fox): Group E winner vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place, Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Monday, June 29, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group F winner vs. Group C second place, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Tuesday, June 30, 1 p.m (Fox): Group E second place vs. Group I second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Tuesday, June 30, 5 p.m. (Fox): Group I winner vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 30, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group A winner vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, July 1, 12 p.m. (Fox): Group L winner vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. (FS1): Group G winner vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. (Fox): Group D winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place, Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay)
Thursday, July 2, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group H winner vs. Group J second place, SoFI Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (Fox): Group K second place vs. Group L second place, BMO Field (Toronto)
Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. (FS1): Group B winner vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, July 3, 2 p.m. (Fox): Group D second place vs. Group G second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. (Fox): Group J winner vs. Group H second place, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, July 3, 9:30 p.m. (Fox): Group K winner vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

Round of 16
Saturday, July 4, 1 p.m. (Fox): NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. (Fox): Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. (Fox): Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Monday, July 6, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Monday, July 6, 8 p.m. (Fox): Lumen Field (Seattle)
Tuesday, July 7, 12 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Tuesday, July 7, 4 p.m. (Fox): BC Place (Vancouver)

Quarterfinals
Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. (Fox): Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. (Fox): SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. (Fox): Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

Semifinals
Tuesday, July 14, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Wednesday, July 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Third-place game
Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. (Fox) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.