2026 World Cup Schedule Guide: Key Dates, Host Cities and Must Watch Matches
The biggest World Cup ever played starts tomorrow. From June 11 to July 19, 48 nations will play 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the first World Cup ever hosted by three countries. This guide gives you every date that matters, where the games are being played, and the matches worth building your summer around. Bookmark it, and if you still need your colors, our full lineup of official World Cup 2026 jerseys and fan gear is in stock and shipping daily from Spencer, Iowa.
World Cup 2026 Key Dates at a Glance
The expanded 48 team format adds a brand new knockout round, so the tournament runs longer than any World Cup before it. Here is the full arc, with kickoff times in Eastern Time:
- Thursday, June 11Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (3:00 PM ET). The Azteca becomes the first stadium ever to host the opening match of three different World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).
- Friday, June 12The other two hosts open: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto (3:00 PM ET), then the USA vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (9:00 PM ET).
- June 11 to 27Group stage. All 48 teams play three matches across 12 groups. The top two in each group advance, along with the eight best third place teams.
- June 28 to July 3Round of 32. New for 2026: an extra knockout round with 32 teams and 16 win or go home matches.
- July 4 to 7Round of 16. The bracket opens on the Fourth of July in Houston and Philadelphia.
- July 9 to 11Quarterfinals in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City.
- July 14 and 15Semifinals in Dallas (July 14) and Atlanta (July 15).
- Saturday, July 18Third place match in Miami (5:00 PM ET).
- Sunday, July 19The Final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey (3:00 PM ET).
Every one of those 104 matches will be played with the same ball: the adidas Trionda, the official match ball of World Cup 2026. We carry the full Trionda family, from the pro model used on the field to the club version kids will be juggling in the backyard all summer.
adidas FIFA World Cup 26 Trionda Pro Ball
The exact ball being kicked off at the Azteca tomorrow. FIFA Quality Pro certified, size 5.
adidas World Cup 26 Trionda Club Ball
Same World Cup design in a durable everyday build. Sizes 3, 4 and 5 for every age.
All 16 Host Cities and Stadiums
Eleven American cities carry the bulk of the tournament, with three in Mexico and two in Canada. AT&T Stadium in the Dallas area hosts more matches than any other venue with nine, including a semifinal.
United States (11)
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) · The Final
- Dallas (AT&T Stadium) · 9 matches, semifinal
- Atlanta · semifinal
- Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) · USA opener
- Miami · third place match
- Boston (Foxborough)
- Philadelphia
- Houston
- Kansas City
- San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara)
- Seattle
Mexico (3)
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) · Opening match
- Guadalajara (Zapopan)
- Monterrey
Canada (2)
- Toronto (BMO Field) · Canada opener
- Vancouver
For fans here in the Midwest, Kansas City is the closest host city to Iowa, and it drew a strong slate: a group of matches, a Round of 32 game, defending champion Argentina's opener and a quarterfinal on July 11.
Heading to a Match? Know the Bag Policy
One practical note from someone who has stood in plenty of stadium security lines: World Cup venues enforce clear bag policies. If you scored tickets, the officially licensed FIFA World Cup 26 clear tote solves the problem and looks the part:
FIFA World Cup 26 Clear Stadium Tote
Officially licensed clear tote with the tournament emblem and all three host nations. Built for venue security lines.
FIFA World Cup 26 USA Tilt Backsack
Royal blue drawstring backsack celebrating the USA as host nation. Practice bag all summer, fan bag on match days.
USMNT World Cup Schedule (Group D)
The United States drew Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye, and plays its entire group stage on the West Coast:
USA vs Paraguay
SoFi Stadium, Los AngelesUSA vs Australia
SeattleUSA vs Türkiye
SoFi Stadium, Los AngelesPulisic and company open under the Friday night lights in a prime time slot built for a host nation. If you are watching from the couch, do it in the right shirt:
Puma Men's CP 10 US Passion Jersey
The CP 10 fan jersey from Pulisic's own PUMA line. Limited sizes left ahead of Friday's opener.
Puma Youth CP 10 US Passion Jersey
Same Passion design cut for young fans, YS through YXL, ready for watch parties all tournament.
Must Watch Matches of the Group Stage
With 72 group matches in 17 days you cannot watch everything. These are the dates I have circled as a coach:
Mexico vs South Africa
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · The opener, and a rematch of the 2010 opening gameBrazil vs Morocco
MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey · The only nation to play in every World Cup against the 2022 semifinalistsGermany vs Curacao
Curacao becomes the smallest nation ever to play at a World CupEngland vs Croatia
AT&T Stadium, Dallas · The heavyweight fixture of the entire opening roundArgentina vs Algeria
Kansas City · Messi and the defending champions begin their title defense a few hours from IowaPortugal opens Group K
Ronaldo's Portugal starts its campaign against a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR CongoTwo of those storylines you can wear. Argentina arrives as world champion in the kit that honors the title, and Portugal's authentic home shirt is the exact jersey worn on the pitch:
adidas Men's Argentina 26 Away Messi Jersey
The Albiceleste away kit in black and Lucid Blue with Messi on the back. Full size run S to XL in stock.
Puma Men's Portugal Home Authentic Jersey
Portugal's 2026 World Cup kit in the player spec build, not the replica. Iconic red with FPF crest.
More 2026 Kits Ready to Ship
Germany takes the field June 14 against history making Curacao, and Japan and Scotland both bring kits worth wearing win or lose. All three are in stock now:
adidas Germany 26 Home Jersey
The classic white Die Mannschaft kit, full size run S to 2XL.
adidas Japan 26/27 Home Jersey
The Beyond the Horizon design, one of the best looking kits of the cycle.
adidas Scotland 26 Home Jersey
Night Sky kit for Scotland's first World Cup since 1998. S and M only.
The Host Nation Opener Deserves Its Own Section
Tomorrow's Mexico vs South Africa match is history before a ball is kicked. El Tri opens a home World Cup for the third time, and the Bold Green adidas home kit has been our best selling jersey of the entire lead up. We went deep on inventory so fans are not hunting for sizes on opening week:
adidas Men's Mexico 26 Home Replica Jersey
The Bold Green El Tri home kit Mexico wears at the Azteca tomorrow. Full size run ready to ship today.
adidas Trionda Training Ball
The tournament ball design in a training build for halftime kickarounds. Sizes 4 and 5 in stock.
Cheering for a nation whose official jersey is hard to find? Our original Kick Off Series 2026 tees cover all 48 qualified nations in team colors from $25, in adult and youth sizes. Find your country on the Goal Kick Soccer World Cup 2026 hub.
Watch Party Fan Gear Under $20
Thirty nine days is a long tournament. These officially licensed FIFA World Cup 26 extras keep the house in tournament mode without jersey money:
FIFA World Cup 26 15oz Sublimated Mug
All-over tournament print for the pre match coffee. The 9:00 AM ET kickoffs will not watch themselves.
FIFA World Cup 26 Mexico Relief Mug
3D raised relief design in hunter green. A collectible from the tournament that opens at the Azteca.
FIFA World Cup 26 USA Relief Mug
Same collectible relief build in USA royal blue. Pairs with Friday night's opener in Los Angeles.
FIFA World Cup 26 England Flag Keychain
St. George's Cross keychain for England fans circling that June 16 Croatia clash in Dallas.
World Cup 2026 Schedule FAQ
When does the 2026 World Cup start and end?
The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. Mexico vs South Africa opens it at Estadio Azteca on June 11, and the Final is Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at 3:00 PM ET.
How many teams and matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams play 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. That is 40 more matches than the 2022 tournament.
What is the Round of 32?
A brand new knockout round created by the 48 team format, played June 28 to July 3. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups advance along with the eight best third place finishers, so 32 teams reach the knockouts.
When does the USA play in the group stage?
The USMNT plays Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, Australia on June 19 in Seattle, and Türkiye on June 25 back in Los Angeles.
39 Days of Soccer Start Tomorrow
Jerseys, Trionda balls, tees and fan gear for all 48 nations, shipped fast from a family soccer shop that has outfitted players and fans since 2001.
Shop All World Cup 2026 Gear