Here’s the latest on the 2026 World Cup schedule.
Core update
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico features 48 teams and 104 matches, hosted across 16 cities, with the tournament concluding in July 2026. This expanded format was confirmed ahead of the host nations’ joint hosting turn and is widely reflected in official schedules released in late 2025.[3][6][7]
Key scheduling details you can use
- Match count and structure: 104 games, 16 host cities across three nations, running through June and July 2026. This structure marks a departure from the 32-team format used previously. Source details confirm the 48-team field and 104 matches.[6][3]
- Opening and closing specifics: The tournament schedule includes group-stage matches in early to mid-June 2026, with knockout rounds following, and a planned final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on a date in July 2026. Multiple outlets summarize the planned arc from group stage to final in mid-to-late June and July.[7][3]
- City-by-city planning: Comprehensive listings of which matches occur in which cities and stadiums are published by outlets tracking every game by venue, including the USA, Canada, and Mexico host cities. See sources that catalog games by city/stadium and provide kick-off times.[3][7]
What this means for fans
- If you want to plan travel or viewership around particular teams or groups, you’ll find the schedule published per venue (city/stadium) and per group, with local kick-off times and broadcast details. The schedule releases and city-by-city breakdowns are available from sports outlets and FIFA/MLS-aligned coverage.[10][7][3]
Illustrative example
- For planning: If you aim to watch a specific team in a particular city (e.g., a U.S. host city), you can map your dates to the group stage phase and then the knockout rounds, using the venue-specific schedules published by major outlets. The published schedules provide the exact match dates, venues, and times (local and/or EST) as the tournament approached.[7][3]
Citations
- 2026 World Cup schedule and format (48 teams, 104 games, three hosts).[6]
- Schedule details by city and match listings in news coverage and official outlets.[7]
- General schedule outline and match timing references from CBS Sports and ESPN coverage.[10][3]
If you’d like, tell me your city or preferred team, and I’ll pull out the exact matches and kickoff times for your interests.
Sources
2026 World Cup Schedule and location information to help you get started planning your trip to the World Cup in USA, Mexico, Canada. Get your custom trip quote now!
www.roadtrips.comThe 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams and 104 matches to be played in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
www.mlssoccer.comThe full schedule of the 2026 World Cup is locked in as the world prepares for the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the tournament
www.cbssports.comThe full schedule with dates, times and stadiums have been confirmed for all 104 games at the 2026 World Cup.
www.nbcsports.comHere's what to know about the schedule release for the 2026 World Cup.
www.sportingnews.comThe 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule on ESPN, including kick off times, stadium information and TV listings.
www.espn.comThe FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the 23rd edition of the tournament but the first to feature 48 teams and three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
www.fifa.comFull World Cup 2026 fixture schedule in Mexico, USA and Canada with UK kick-off times; Mexico host South Africa in June 11 opener; 104-game tournament ends at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday July 19; England and Scotland are part of the 48-team tournament
www.skysports.com