The biggest World Cup in history is finally here, and keeping track of 104 matches across three countries is no small task. So here is the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in one place.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, spread across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. That is 39 days of soccer and, honestly, my dream summer.
Below you will find the round-by-round calendar, the key dates, and exactly how to watch every game in the USA, including the free options.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Dates | June 11 – July 19, 2026 |
| Teams | 48 |
| Matches | 104 |
| Host nations | USA, Mexico, Canada |
| Final | July 19 – MetLife Stadium |
Table of Contents
World Cup 2026 schedule at a glance
The tournament is split into a group stage and a brand-new expanded knockout phase. Here is how the calendar breaks down.
| Group stage | June 11 – 27 |
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – 7 |
| Quarterfinals | July 9 – 11 |
| Semifinals | July 14 (Dallas) & July 15 (Atlanta) |
| Third-place game | July 18 (Miami) |
| Final | July 19 (MetLife, NY/NJ) |
Exact kickoff times for individual matches are confirmed on the official FIFA fixtures page.
The group stage: June 11 to 27
Mexico kicked things off on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca, beating South Africa 2–0 in the opener.
The United States began its campaign on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. You can dig into the full USMNT schedule here.
All 12 groups play three rounds of matches over roughly 17 days, with the final group fixtures running as late as June 27. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, move on.
The knockout rounds: road to MetLife
This is where 2026 changes the formula. Because there are 48 teams, the bracket now opens with a Round of 32 before the familiar Round of 16.
The quarterfinals run July 9–11, including a quarterfinal in Miami on July 11. The two semifinals land in Dallas (July 14) and Atlanta (July 15).
Miami hosts the third-place game on July 18, and the whole thing ends with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. See our full bracket guide for how the path works.
How to watch the World Cup 2026 in the USA
Coverage is split between two broadcast families, and yes, a big chunk is free.
| English TV | FOX and FS1 |
| Spanish TV | Telemundo and Universo |
| Free streaming | Tubi (no subscription) |
| Apps | Fox Sports app, Telemundo app |
The headline for cord-cutters: Tubi streams matches free. For the venues behind the games, see our host-city locations guide.
Key dates timeline
Here are the dates worth circling right now:
June 11 — Opening match, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
June 12 — USA opens vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
June 27 — Group stage ends.
July 14 & 15 — Semifinals in Dallas and Atlanta.
July 19 — Final at MetLife Stadium.
Bookmark our World Cup 2026 hub to keep every guide in one place.
World Cup 2026 time zones explained
One thing that trips up first-time World Cup viewers is the time-zone spread. This is the most geographically stretched tournament ever.
Matches run from coast to coast, so a single day can start with a noon Eastern kickoff and end with a 9 p.m. Eastern game on the West Coast.
If you are on the East Coast, expect to give up some lunch breaks. If you are out West, the late games are perfect after work.
My tip: screenshot each day’s slate the night before and pick your must-watch games, because trying to catch all of them will wreck your sleep.
The matches you can’t miss
With 104 games, you need a shortlist. A few categories always deliver.
Host-nation games are electric, so the USA, Mexico and Canada fixtures are appointment viewing. The opener and the final obviously top the list.
Then there are the heavyweight clashes: any time Brazil, Argentina, France, Spain or England share a pitch, clear your schedule.
Group finales are also gold, because that is when qualification math gets tense and late drama is almost guaranteed. Track it all in our standings guide.
Why the 2026 schedule feels different
This is the first 48-team World Cup, so the calendar is longer and denser than 2022.
There are more rest days for some teams and a brand-new knockout round, which changes the rhythm of the whole event.
It also means more soccer per day during the group stage, which, depending on your perspective, is either heaven or a productivity crisis.
How to never miss a match
With games most days for over a month, a little organization goes a long way.
Start by syncing the fixtures to your phone calendar so each kickoff pings you in your own time zone. It sounds basic, but it saves you from missing a 12 p.m. ET start on a workday.
Next, set your streaming app up before the rush. Free options like Tubi mean you can watch from a laptop, phone or smart TV without juggling logins at the last minute.
Finally, pick a few “appointment” matches per week rather than trying to watch all 104. Trust me, pacing yourself is the only way to survive a 39-day tournament with your sleep intact.
Related World Cup 2026 guides
Keep exploring our World Cup 2026 coverage:
Frequently asked questions
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?
It runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the USA, Mexico and Canada.
How many matches are in the World Cup 2026?
There are 104 matches, up from 64, played across 16 host cities.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final?
At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
How can I watch the World Cup 2026 for free?
Tubi streams matches free in the USA, and many games air on broadcast FOX.
What channel is the World Cup on in the USA?
FOX and FS1 in English, Telemundo and Universo in Spanish.
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