The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the biggest football tournament ever staged, and keeping track of 104 matches across three countries is no small task. Whether you are planning your viewing schedule around work, staying up late for a blockbuster group-stage clash, or tracking your favourite nation’s route to the final, this is your complete guide to every date, time, and venue you need.
Note that all kick-off times listed in this guide are subject to change, as FIFA periodically adjusts match timings closer to the event to accommodate broadcast scheduling. Always confirm times on the official FIFA website before planning your viewing.
When Does FIFA World Cup 2026 Start and End?
FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The opening match takes place in Mexico City on June 11, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium. The final is scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.
This edition of the FIFA World Cup expands from 32 to 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two sides from each group advance automatically to the knockout stage, and the eight best third-placed teams also progress. That creates a brand-new Round of 32, a stage never seen at a World Cup before. From there, the tournament follows a straight single-elimination format through to the final. To lift the trophy, a team must now win eight matches rather than seven.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Group
Teams
A
Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia
B
Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
C
Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
D
United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
E
Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Curaçao
F
Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
G
Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
H
Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
I
France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
J
Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
K
Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Congo DR
L
England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities and Venues
Three nations host the tournament across 16 cities. The United States hosts the overwhelming majority of fixtures, while Canada and Mexico each stage 13 matches.
United States Venues
City
Stadium
Matches
Dallas
AT&T Stadium
9
New York/New Jersey
MetLife Stadium
8
Los Angeles
SoFi Stadium
8
Atlanta
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
8
Boston
Gillette Stadium
7
Houston
NRG Stadium
7
Miami
Hard Rock Stadium
7
Philadelphia
Lincoln Financial Field
6
Kansas City
Arrowhead Stadium
6
Seattle
Lumen Field
6
San Francisco Bay Area
Levi’s Stadium
6
Canada Venues
City
Stadium
Matches
Vancouver
BC Place
7
Toronto
BMO Field
6
Mexico Venues
City
Stadium
Matches
Mexico City
Estadio Banorte
5
Guadalajara
Estadio Akron
4
Monterrey
Estadio BBVA
4
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule (All Times ET)
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). Because the tournament takes place across North America, fans in Europe and Asia should note that most matches kick off during North American evening hours, which translates to late night or early morning viewing for UK and European fans, and overnight into early morning for viewers in Asia. Check your local time conversion before setting reminders.
Specific match assignments in the knockout rounds depend on group-stage results. The venues and dates below reflect the confirmed schedule framework from FIFA. Individual fixture details will update as the group stage concludes.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 features three separate opening ceremonies across its three host nations. Mexico City kicks things off on June 11 before Mexico face South Africa, with Shakira and Burna Boy scheduled to perform the official tournament song. Toronto follows on June 12 with Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé performing ahead of Canada’s opener. Later the same day in Los Angeles, the USA’s ceremony is set to feature Katy Perry, Lisa, Rema, Anitta, and Future before the USA takes on Paraguay. The final at MetLife Stadium is also expected to feature the first-ever World Cup halftime show, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin overseeing a performance that current plans suggest will include Madonna, Shakira, and BTS.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US
English-language coverage airs live on Fox and FS1, with the biggest knockout matches and the final on broadcast TV. Spanish-language coverage runs across Telemundo (92 matches) and Universo (12 matches).
For cord-cutters, all 104 matches are available to stream on Fox One. Additional streaming options include:
Fubo TV (Fox/FS1 matches)
Hulu + Live TV (Fox/FS1 matches)
YouTube TV (Fox/FS1 matches)
Peacock (Spanish-language streams)
Prime Video (Fox One streams)
iHeart Radio (audio broadcasts)
FIFA World Cup 2026 India Timings
Because the tournament takes place across North America, Indian fans can expect most matches to kick off at one of four primary time slots: 12:30 AM IST, 3:30 AM IST, 6:30 AM IST, or 7:30 AM IST for selected fixtures. Indian viewers can catch the action live on ZEE5, with television coverage available through the Unite8 Sports Network.
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