The 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule: Host Nations, Venues, and TV Details
According to FIFA’s official website, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 104 matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will feature 32 teams competing in a expanded format, with the first match set for New York’s MetLife Stadium on June 11.
The event marks the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations, with 11 U.S. stadiums, two Canadian venues, and three Mexican stadiums selected. Broadcast details have been confirmed by FIFA and regional networks, though group stage matchups remain pending finalization.
When Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Take Place?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spanning 48 days of competition. This marks the first time the tournament will be held in North America, with matches scheduled across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The final match is set for July 19 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, the same venue that hosted the 1986 World Cup final.
FIFA’s official schedule indicates the tournament will begin with a doubleheader on June 11. The opening match will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, while the second game will be held at Toronto’s BMO Field. Both matches will kick off at 13:00 local time (UTC-4 for New York, UTC-5 for Toronto).
Which Countries Will Host the Tournament?
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be jointly hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This collaboration follows a 2018 bid that secured 134 of 209 votes from FIFA’s executive committee. The three countries will share hosting duties, with the U.S. serving as the primary hub.
The U.S. will host 60 matches across 11 stadiums, including the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Canada will host 10 games at BC Place in Vancouver and BMO Field in Toronto, while Mexico will stage 34 matches at Azteca, Estadio Universitario in Guadalajara, and Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
How Many Matches Will Be Played?
The 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches, an increase from the 64 games played in the 2022 tournament. This expansion includes 48 group-stage matches, 16 knockout-stage games, and the final. The format will retain the group stage with four teams per group, but the knockout rounds will include additional matches to accommodate the expanded field.
FIFA confirmed the schedule will include three group-stage matches per team, with the top two from each group advancing to the round of 16. The tournament will feature a new 48-team format, with 12 groups of four teams each. The exact group compositions are yet to be determined, as FIFA has not released the final draw details.
What Are the Key Venues for the 2026 World Cup?
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