When does the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup start? Full Guide Explained.
The biggest World Cup in FIFA tournament history is upon us. Overall 104 matches will be played across 38 days in 16 host cities in three countries, the world champions will be crowned.
This will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and also the first time there will be three host countries.
Its field includes every former champion except Italy and four debutants: Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will takes the field in United States, Mexico and Canada.
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start? date, kick-off time, venue
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially start on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the highly anticipated opening match featuring co-host Mexico taking on South Africa, tournament opener will kick off at 13:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the iconic Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) located in Mexico City, Mexico, which boasts a massive tournament capacity of 83,000 spectators.
The game is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
Following the initial opening game in Mexico City, the second opening-day match will take place later that same evening on June 11 at 20:00 local time at the Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan, where South Korea faces Czechia in front of roughly 48,000 fans.
Where Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup Taking Place?
For the first time, the event will be hosted in three countries simultaneously: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Fans can watch their favorite teams IRL in
Toronto; Vancouver;
Guadalajara; Mexico City;
Monterrey; Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Philadelphia; Seattle; San Francisco; New York/New Jersey and Kansas City, Kansas.
Which Countries Are Competing at the FIFA World Cup?
There will be 48 teams from around the world hitting the field for the World Cup this summer. Countries were chosen through qualifying matches, which took place between February 2023 and this March.
Africa-10: South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde, Algeria, DR Congo, Ghana.
Asia -8: South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Japan.
Europe-16: Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, France, Norway, Austria, Portugal, England, Croatia, Turkiye.
North America and Caribbean -6: Mexico, Canada, Haiti, United States, Curaçao, Panama.
South America -6: Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia.
Oceania -2: Australia, New Zealand.
What are the 2026 FIFA World Cup Groups List?
Group -- Teams
Group A - Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Group B - Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C - Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D - USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group E - Germany, Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F - Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G - Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
Group H - Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I - France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J - Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K - Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L - England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
When does 2026 World Cup group stage end?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage will conclude on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The final day of group stage action features a packed schedule of six matches across Groups J, K, and L, playing simultaneously in pairs to ensure competitive fairness.The complete schedule, fixtures, kick-off times, and stadium venues for the final day of the group stage are outlined below:
Final Group Stage Match Schedule (Saturday, June 27, 2026)
Here are the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage fixtures for Saturday, June 27, 2026, with their kickoff times and designated stadium venues:
1. Panama vs. England (Group L) – 17:00 ET at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey
2. Croatia vs. Ghana (Group L) – 17:00 ET at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3. Colombia vs. Portugal (Group K) – 19:30 ET at Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami Gardens, Florida
4. DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan (Group K) – 19:30 ET at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) in Atlanta, Georgia
5. Algeria vs. Austria (Group J) – 22:00 ET at Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) in Kansas City, Missouri
6. Jordan vs. Argentina (Group J) – 22:00 ET at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) in Arlington, Texas
FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout rounds dates, schedule
For the first time, the knockout round will begin with the round of 32. That means the team that lifts the trophy will have to win five knockout matches instead of four.
Here is how the knockout round schedule shapes up.
Round of 32: June 28-July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarterfinals: July 9-11
Semifinals: July 14-15
Third-place game: July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Final: July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
How to watch the Every FIFA World Cup Match in 2026
Every single game of the competition is available live on Fubo (try for free).
Beginning June 11 until July 19 fans cheer on their favorite countries on Fox, Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2. Plus, catch the games in Spanish on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.
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