FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is the largest World Cup in history — 48 teams, 104 matches, 39 days, three countries.
Here is the complete match schedule, host city breakdown, and everything you need to know before traveling.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Opening Match | June 11, 2026 |
| Group Stage | June 11 — July 3, 2026 |
| Round of 32 | July 4 — July 7, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | July 9 — July 12, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | July 14 — July 15, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | July 18 — July 19, 2026 |
| Third Place Play-off | July 18, 2026 |
| Final | July 19, 2026 |
Opening Match — June 11, Mexico City
The tournament opens at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on June 11, 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa. Estadio Azteca is the most iconic football stadium in the world — the only venue to have hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986).
Mexico City sits at 2,240 metres altitude. If you're traveling to the opening match, arrive at least 24–48 hours early to acclimatise.
The Final — July 19, New Jersey
The World Cup Final takes place at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026. MetLife Stadium is 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan and is one of the largest stadiums in the USA with a capacity of 82,500.
NJ Transit from Penn Station is the best transport option for the Final — download the NJ Transit app and book your tickets well in advance.
The 16 Host Cities
United States 🇺🇸 — 11 Cities
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi's Stadium | 68,500 |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | 64,767 |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | 69,000 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 |
| Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,796 |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,220 |
Canada 🇨🇦 — 2 Cities
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | BMO Field | 45,736 |
| Vancouver | BC Place | 54,500 |
Mexico 🇲🇽 — 3 Cities
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | 87,523 |
| Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | 49,850 |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
Group Stage — June 11 to July 3
The group stage runs for 23 days across all 16 host cities. 48 teams play in 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 matches. The top two from each group plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
Key group stage facts:
- 72 matches total in the group stage
- Each host city receives multiple group stage matches
- Mexico City hosts the opening match on June 11
- Toronto hosts Canada's opening match on June 12
- Group stage concludes July 3
Round of 32 — July 4 to July 7
For the first time in World Cup history, 2026 features a Round of 32 — the 32 teams that advance from the group stage play single-elimination matches. This round takes place across 8 matches over 4 days.
Round of 16 — July 9 to July 12
The 16 surviving teams play over 4 days. Matches are concentrated in the larger US stadiums — MetLife, SoFi, AT&T Stadium, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Quarter-finals — July 14 to July 15
Four matches over two days. Expected to be held at the largest US venues — MetLife Stadium, SoFi Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and Hard Rock Stadium.
Semi-finals — July 18 to July 19
Two semi-finals on consecutive days before the Final. Expected venues: MetLife Stadium and AT&T Stadium.
Third Place Play-off — July 18
The two losing semi-finalists play for third place on July 18, the day before the Final.
The Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey — July 19, 2026.
The World Cup Final is in the New York metro area. For international fans flying in for the Final, New York is one of the best-connected cities in the world — JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports all serve it, with direct connections from virtually every major city globally.
Traveling to the World Cup — Staying Connected
With 104 matches across three countries over 39 days, millions of international fans will be moving between the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Staying connected across all three countries requires separate eSIM plans for each — one per country, all installable on the same phone before you fly.
What you need:
- USA: Covers all 11 US host cities on T-Mobile and AT&T
- Canada: Covers Toronto and Vancouver on Rogers and Bell
- Mexico: Covers Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey on Telcel
Use code WORLDCUP15 for 15% off all plans at ovosim.com/destinations.
For the complete connectivity guide including stadium tips, essential apps, and data recommendations for each country, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 eSIM Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament starts on June 11, 2026 with the opening match — Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final?
The Final is on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York metro area).
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
104 matches total — the largest World Cup in history. This is the first World Cup with 48 teams.
Which countries host the 2026 World Cup?
The United States (11 cities), Canada (2 cities), and Mexico (3 cities) — 16 host cities across North America.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams — up from 32 in previous tournaments. This is the first World Cup with the expanded 48-team format.
Which stadium hosts the most matches?
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the most high-profile matches including the Final. US stadiums collectively host the majority of matches due to the 11-city allocation.
Do I need separate eSIMs for each country?
Yes — USA, Canada, and Mexico each require their own eSIM plan. All three can be installed on one phone simultaneously and you switch between them as you cross borders. See our World Cup eSIM guide for full details.
Last updated: April 2026. Full match schedule including kick-off times and individual fixture assignments will be confirmed by FIFA closer to the tournament.