⚽ Your complete guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026 program, venues, groups and kick-off times
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams across three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This comprehensive guide focuses on the World Cup 2026 program — including the latest information on groups, matches, stadiums, and match times. All details are based on current official updates from FIFA and are subject to change.
The 2026 tournament will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the USA — the first time three nations have hosted the World Cup. A total of 16 venues have been selected to host the 104 matches. Each stadium brings unique character and modern facilities designed to deliver an unforgettable fan experience.
| City | Stadium | Capacity (approx.) | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 | USA |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,000 | USA |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 | USA |
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | 87,500 | Mexico |
| Toronto | BMO Field | 45,000 | Canada |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 | USA |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,000 | USA |
| Vancouver | BC Place | 54,000 | Canada |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 | Mexico |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi's Stadium | 68,500 | USA |
According to current FIFA guidance, the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 19, 2026, while the opening match is expected to take place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The World Cup 2026 features an expanded format with 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of 4 teams each. The top two teams from every group will automatically advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams. This creates a total of 32 teams in the knockout stage.
Each team will play three group-stage matches. The expanded format gives more nations the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage while maintaining competitive integrity.
FIFA has released the current schedule framework for all 104 matches. Group stage matches will run from mid-June to late June 2026, followed by the knockout rounds through mid-July.
| Stage | Dates (2026) | Matches per day | Typical Kick-off Times (local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 – June 27 | 4–6 | 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00 |
| Round of 32 | June 29 – July 3 | 4 | 12:00, 16:00, 20:00 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – July 7 | 4 | 12:00, 16:00, 20:00 |
| Quarter-finals | July 9 – July 11 | 2 | 16:00, 20:00 |
| Semi-finals | July 14 & 15 | 1 | 20:00 |
| Third-place match | July 18 | 1 | 16:00 |
| Final | July 19 | 1 | 20:00 |
Exact match times and venues for specific teams will be confirmed after the group draw. Most matches are scheduled to accommodate global television audiences across different time zones. Always refer to official updates for confirmed broadcast times in your region.
Each venue has been carefully chosen for its infrastructure, fan accessibility, and football heritage:
Tickets: Official tickets will be sold exclusively through FIFA’s authorized platform. Fans are strongly advised to only purchase through official channels to avoid scams. Prices vary significantly by match stage, seat category, and host city.
Travel tips to save money:
The current schedule indicates the tournament will begin in mid-June 2026, with the opening match expected at Estadio Azteca. Always check FIFA’s official website for confirmed dates.
There will be 12 groups of four teams. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stage.
According to current FIFA plans, the final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
All 16 venues offer excellent experiences. MetLife Stadium (final), Estadio Azteca (heritage), and SoFi Stadium (modern facilities) are among the most sought-after.
The official group draw is expected in late 2025. We recommend following FIFA’s official channels for the exact date and live coverage.
Official broadcasters in each country will televise every match. Many cities will also host official FIFA Fan Festivals with big screens and live atmosphere.
Explore more in our series:
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