When and where is the 2026 World Cup? What is the format?
104 games will take place in the 2026 World Cup across the USA, Mexico, and Canada with 16 different host cities selected and the schedule confirmed.
www.nbcsports.comHere are the latest widely reported details on the 2026 FIFA World Cup dates:
- Overall tournament window: June to July 2026, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026. This aligns with the expanded 48-team format spread across three host countries (USA, Canada, and Mexico).[3][4]
- Opening match timing and venues: The competition opens in June 2026, with the opening game hosted in Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) and multiple opening matches in the host nations, as confirmed by FIFA announcements and major outlets.[5][3]
- Final location: The final is slated for the New York–New Jersey area (MetLife Stadium), per FIFA communications and reputable outlets covering the schedule and venues.[2][5]
- Schedule structure: Group stage runs roughly from June 11 to June 27, followed by knockout rounds—Round of 32 (June 28–July 3), Round of 16 (July 4–7), Quarterfinals (July 9–11), Semifinals (July 14–15), Third-place match (July 18), and Final (July 19).[1][4]
- Host countries and expansion: First World Cup with 48 teams hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with venue distribution and host cities published by FIFA and major sports outlets.[8][3]
Illustration: A typical layout for the schedule is the group stage in June, followed by a July knockout bracket culminating in the July 19 final (example timeline reflects June 11–27 group games and July 19 final).[1][5]
Notes:
- Exact match times and group allocations depend on the official draw and ticketing processes, which have been communicated by FIFA and major outlets; keep an eye on official FIFA updates for the precise kick-off times and match pairings.[2][8]
- If you’re planning travel or viewing, confirm the specific match times in your time zone as time-zone differences will apply since games occur across multiple U.S. and Canadian/Mexican cities.[9][5]
Would you like a concise calendar with all key dates (opening day, group stage windows, knockout rounds, and final) or a map of host cities and venues? I can provide either or both with sources.