2026 World Cup Schedule: All 104 Matches by Date from June 11 to July 19

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 104 total matches spread across 39 days and 16 host cities in three countries. This is the largest World Cup ever staged, and the schedule is bigger and busier than any tournament American fans have seen on home soil. Here is the full schedule broken down by stage, with the dates every fan should circle on the calendar.

Group Stage: June 11 to June 27

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. From there, the group stage runs 17 straight days through Saturday, June 27. With 48 teams split into 12 groups of 4, the group stage hosts 72 of the 104 total matches.

During peak group stage days, fans can expect 4 to 6 matches per day, with kickoffs spread across afternoon and evening US time slots to suit broadcast windows. Most US matches kick off at 12 noon ET, 3 pm ET, 6 pm ET, and 9 pm ET on the busiest days.

Key Group Stage Dates

• June 11: Opening match (Mexico City).
• June 12 to June 13: First weekend of matches across all 16 cities.
• June 14 to June 18: Matchday 1 wraps up for all 12 groups.
• June 19 to June 22: Matchday 2 for every group.
• June 23 to June 27: Matchday 3, including simultaneous kickoffs that decide who advances.

Round of 32: June 28 to July 4

Brand-new to the 2026 format because of the 48-team expansion. The Round of 32 introduces single-elimination knockout play and runs 7 days from June 28 to July 4. Sixteen matches across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Losing a match here ends a team’s tournament.

Round of 16: July 4 to July 7

Eight matches across 4 days. The pace stays heavy through the long July 4 weekend. Independence Day soccer becomes a brand-new American tradition this summer.

Quarterfinals: July 9 to July 11

The final eight teams compete across 3 days for a spot in the semifinals. Four matches, all at premium venues like MetLife in New Jersey, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Semifinals: July 14 to July 15

Two matches across two consecutive days. Both semifinals will be played in major US venues, with the final four teams fighting for their spot in the world final.

Third Place Playoff: July 18

The two semifinal losers face off for the bronze medal. Played the day before the final, usually at the venue hosting one of the semifinals.

The Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 3 pm ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This is the most anticipated single sporting event ever held on US soil, with a projected global TV audience of more than 1.5 billion viewers.

Match Counts by Stage

• Group Stage: 72 matches.
• Round of 32: 16 matches.
• Round of 16: 8 matches.
• Quarterfinals: 4 matches.
• Semifinals: 2 matches.
• Third Place Playoff: 1 match.
• Final: 1 match.
• Total: 104 matches.

How Many Matches Will Each Team Play?

Every team plays the same 3 group stage matches. From there, the path depends on how far they go:

• Round of 32 finalists: 4 total matches.
• Round of 16 reach: 5 total.
• Quarterfinal: 6 total.
• Semifinal: 7 total.
• Final or third place: 8 total matches across 5 to 6 weeks.

Tips for Following the Full Schedule

• Set up calendar alerts for your team’s group stage matches plus any potential knockout dates they could reach.
• Plan around the long July 4 weekend, when 4 to 5 Round of 16 matches land in the same window.
• Block off July 19 regardless of who is in the final. This is the most-watched sporting event of the decade.
• Track multiple matches at once during group stage matchday 3 when teams kick off simultaneously to prevent any side from gaining a late advantage.

Dress for Every Stage of the Tournament

From the first whistle in June to the final on July 19, every match day is a chance to rep your team. Shop Football Jerseys from NationFans and stock up on the gear that will carry you through all 104 matches.