2026 FIFA World Cup – Full Schedule, Fixtures, Match Format, Teams, Groups, and Everything You Need to Know

Now that the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs are over, the entire 48-team field for this summer’s competition in the US, Canada, and Mexico is known.

The 42 qualifying teams were assigned to their groups during the World Cup draw in December. The winners of the playoff finals were assigned to six groups.

The United States was already placed in Group D after automatically qualifying as one of the tournament hosts. On June 12, it will play its first match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. After that, the Americans will play Australia before facing Turkey, which qualified by defeating Kosovo on Tuesday, to end the group stage.

Canada, which is in Group B, will play its first match at BMO Field in Toronto on June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Switzerland and Qatar will be its final two group stage opponents.

On June 11, Mexico will host the World Cup’s opening match against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. In Group A, the co-hosts will also play Korea and Czechia.

2026 World Cup Qualified Teams

• AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq
• CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
• CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
• CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
• OFC: New Zealand
• UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia

2026 FIFA World Cup Format

Twelve four-team groups were formed from the 48 teams. To decide which nations move on to the knockout stage, each side will play three games within its group.

After the group round, 32 teams will move on to the knockout stage. Along with the top eight third-place teams, the top two teams from each group will advance. Goal differential, goals scored, head-to-head play, fair play record, and drawing lots will be the tiebreakers, in that order.

FIFA has implemented changes for this World Cup. Two routes to the semifinals have been established in an effort to maintain competitive balance, preventing the top two teams from playing each other before the final if they win their respective groups.

For example, the tournament’s top squad is Spain, while the reigning champion Argentina is placed second. These two countries were pulled in different directions. The top four teams, if they win their groups, won’t play until the semifinals because the same is true for France (No. 3) and England (No. 4).

Teams from the same confederation (Brazil and Uruguay, for example) could not be drawn into the same group, as is the case with all World Cups, with the exception of European teams.

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Groups, Teams, Match Schedule, and How to Watch

(all times Eastern)

GROUP A

1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. Korea Republic
4. Czechia

Thursday, June 11, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. South Africa, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Thursday, June 11, 10 p.m. (FS1): Korea Republic vs. Czechia, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)

GROUP B

1. Canada
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Qatar
4. Switzerland

Friday, June 12, 3 p.m. (Fox): Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 13, 3 p.m. (Fox): Qatar vs. Switzerland, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)

GROUP C

1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Haiti
4. Scotland

Saturday, June 13, 6 p.m. (FS1): Brazil vs. Morocco, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. (Fox): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

GROUP D

1. United States
2. Paraguay
3. Australia
4. Türkiye

Friday, June 12, 9 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Paraguay, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. Türkiye, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 19, 11 p.m. (FS1): Türkiye vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (Fox): Türkiye vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)

GROUP E

1. Germany
2. Curaçao
3. Ivory Coast
4. Ecuador

Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (Fox): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

GROUP F

1. Netherlands
2. Japan
3. Sweden
4. Tunisia

Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sunday, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): Sweden vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Sweden, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. Sweden, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (Fox): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

GROUP G

1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. New Zealand

Monday, June 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Monday, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)

GROUP H

1. Spain
2. Cape Verde
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay

Monday, June 15, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Monday, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

GROUP I

1. France
2. Senegal
3. Iraq
4. Norway

Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq, BMO Field (Toronto)

GROUP J

1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. Austria
4. Jordan

Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

GROUP K

1. Portugal
2. DR Congo
3. Uzbekistan
4. Colombia

Friday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. DR Congo, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

GROUP L

1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama

Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Friday, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)

World Cup knockout round schedule

(all times Eastern)

Round of 32

Sunday, June 28, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group A second place vs. Group B second place, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Monday, June 29, 1 p.m. (Fox): Group C winner vs. Group F second place, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. (Fox): Group E winner vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place, Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Monday, June 29, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group F winner vs. Group C second place, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Tuesday, June 30, 1 p.m (Fox): Group E second place vs. Group I second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Tuesday, June 30, 5 p.m. (Fox): Group I winner vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 30, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group A winner vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, July 1, 12 p.m. (Fox): Group L winner vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. (FS1): Group G winner vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. (Fox): Group D winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place, Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay)
Thursday, July 2, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group H winner vs. Group J second place, SoFI Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (Fox): Group K second place vs. Group L second place, BMO Field (Toronto)
Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. (FS1): Group B winner vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, July 3, 2 p.m. (Fox): Group D second place vs. Group G second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. (Fox): Group J winner vs. Group H second place, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, July 3, 9:30 p.m. (Fox): Group K winner vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

Round of 16

Saturday, July 4, 1 p.m. (Fox): NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. (Fox): Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. (Fox): Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Monday, July 6, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Monday, July 6, 8 p.m. (Fox): Lumen Field (Seattle)
Tuesday, July 7, 12 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Tuesday, July 7, 4 p.m. (Fox): BC Place (Vancouver)

Quarterfinals

Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. (Fox): Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. (Fox): SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. (Fox): Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)

Semifinals

Tuesday, July 14, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Wednesday, July 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Third-place game

Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

Final

Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)