The World Cup 2026 will be the largest tournament in football history, featuring 48 teams across three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This comprehensive guide focuses specifically on the World Cup 2026 schedule, group stage structure, stadium venues, and practical information for Norwegian fans including local kick-off times.
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup will run from June to July 2026. With the expanded format, 104 matches will be played over 39 days. The tournament begins with a group stage featuring 12 groups of four teams, followed by a knockout phase that includes a new round of 32.
For Norwegian supporters, understanding the World Cup 2026 schedule in local time is essential for planning watch parties, annual leave, and following the Norwegian national team if they qualify. All information in this article reflects the latest official updates from FIFA. Fans should always verify the most current details on the official FIFA website as dates and times may be subject to minor adjustments.
The tournament will be hosted across 16 world-class stadiums in 11 cities in the United States, 2 in Mexico, and 3 in Canada. Each venue offers unique characteristics and different time zones that directly affect Norwegian viewing times.
| Stadium | City | Country | Approx. Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | USA | 82,500 |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | USA | 70,240 |
| AT&T Stadium | Dallas | USA | 80,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico | 87,523 |
| Levi's Stadium | San Francisco Bay Area | USA | 68,500 |
| Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | USA | 76,416 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | USA | 72,220 |
| Lumen Field | Seattle | USA | 68,000 |
These venues will host both group stage matches and crucial knockout games. The final is scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
The 48 qualified teams will be divided into 12 groups of 4 teams. The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams.
The official draw for the groups has not yet taken place. According to current FIFA plans, the draw is expected in late 2025 once qualification concludes. European teams including Norway (if qualified), England, France, Germany, and others will be seeded based on FIFA rankings at the time of the draw.
Qualification is still ongoing. Norwegian fans are eagerly following the national team's progress in their qualifying campaign. The expanded format gives more nations a realistic chance of reaching the tournament.
The World Cup 2026 schedule has been released by FIFA with the following key dates (subject to official updates):
Most group stage matches will be played in a triple-header format each day, with kick-off times spread across afternoon and evening slots in North American time zones. The exact matchups and precise times will be confirmed after the final draw.
One of the most important aspects for fans in Norway is understanding the Norwegian times for matches. Norway operates on Central European Time (CET) in winter and Central European Summer Time (CEST) in summer.
FIFA has attempted to schedule matches at reasonable times for European audiences where possible, particularly for the knockout stages. Norwegian broadcasters will likely adjust their schedules and offer both live coverage and highlights packages.
Norwegian television rights for the World Cup 2026 have yet to be finalized. Historically, NRK and TV 2 have shared broadcasting rights for major tournaments. Fans should monitor official announcements from these broadcasters closer to the event.
Additional options include:
Tip: Set calendar reminders with Norwegian times as soon as the final schedule is released after the draw. Many Norwegian workplaces are expected to show flexibility during key Norway matches if the team qualifies.
The draw is currently scheduled for late 2025. FIFA will announce the exact date closer to the time. All information will be published on the official FIFA website.
A total of 104 matches will be played across the group stage and knockout rounds.
Depending on the venue, Norwegian time (CEST) will be 6–9 hours ahead of local North American time during the summer of 2026.
The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 19, 2026, according to current plans.
Norway has a strong chance given the expanded format, but qualification is not yet confirmed. The team must perform well in the European qualifiers.
The full detailed schedule with precise times will be released after the final draw in late 2025. Early outline schedules are already available from FIFA.
Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updated Norwegian times, group draw results, and official schedule releases. Never purchase tickets from unofficial sources. Always use authorized vendors and verify information directly from FIFA.
Follow every match with accurate Norwegian times – the biggest World Cup ever is coming. ⚽🏆
This guide was prepared based on the latest available FIFA information. All schedules, groups and times remain subject to official confirmation and possible changes.
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