When is the FIFA World Cup 2026? It's the most common question everyone is asking, and here is your answer. The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities, this is the biggest World Cup ever organised. Whether it's your first time or you are a die-hard fan, this guide covers the complete 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule so you can plan accordingly.
This tournament will make history even before the first match begins. It is the first World Cup with 48 teams, expanded from the 32-team format used since 1998, and the first tournament hosted by three countries at the same time.
Pack your bags as the 2026 FIFA World Cup start date is Thursday, June 11, 2026. Mexico will launch the first-ever 48-team tournament at 13:00 local time in Mexico City, facing South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca. This iconic venue will make history as the first stadium to stage matches in three World Cups: 1970, 1986, and 2026.
The following day, Canada welcomes the European play-off winner in Toronto at 15:00 local time, and the USA kicks off against Paraguay in Los Angeles at 18:00 local time (21:00 ET). All three host countries jump into action right away, delivering an electrifying launch to the greatest World Cup yet.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup end date is Sunday, July 19, 2026. The Final will be played at MetLife Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in North America, with a capacity of about 87,000. During the tournament, it will be officially renamed New York-New Jersey Stadium. The stadium will also host the first-ever halftime show at a World Cup Final.
The third-place play-off will take place one day earlier, on July 18, at Hard Rock Stadium. These two big matches in iconic American cities will bring the tournament to an exciting close.
The 2026 World Cup dates and venues are spread across three regions. Here is the full list of host cities and stadiums:
With nine matches in total, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will host the most games. The USA will host 78 matches, including all games from the quarter-finals onward, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches.
Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Flights
The 2026 World Cup cities schedule introduces a brand-new structure. Teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will move on to a new Round of 32, a stage that has never existed in World Cup history. From there, it is pure knockout football all the way to the Final, for a total of 104 matches.
The full knockout timeline:
One historic moment will also take place on June 20, 2026, when Monterrey hosts the 1,000th FIFA World Cup match ever played, featuring Tunisia vs Japan at 22:00 local time, a thrilling rematch from 2002.
Ready to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule live? Head to Travelpodium now and book your flight for every city and enjoy every stage of the tournament.
The group stage already features some exciting matchups.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule is set, the cities are ready, and the countdown has begun. From the 2026 FIFA World Cup start date of June 11 in Mexico City to the 2026 FIFA World Cup end date of July 19 in New York, there are 39 days of unforgettable football on offer. The 2026 World Cup dates and venues span iconic cities across three countries, giving fans more ways to FIFA World Cup travel and experience the world's greatest sporting event than ever before. Every day you wait is a day closer to missing out on the best travel deals.
Book Your FIFA World Cup 2026 Trip with Travelpodium now. Book your flights to all 16 host cities without any stress. Whether it is the opening ceremony in Mexico City or the Final in New York, Travelpodium gets you there. Visit Travelpodium and secure your World Cup adventure today.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
June 11, 2026, is the start date when Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 1:00 PM local time.
July 19, 2026, is the end date. The Final is at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, with the third-place match on July 18 in Miami.
There are 16 host cities: 11 in the USA, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. AT&T Stadium in Dallas will host the most matches, with a total of nine games.
On July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, which will be renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. It will also feature the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show.
Anshima Gupta is an experienced travel storyteller and destination expert, guiding readers from budget adventures to luxe escapes. Off duty, she explores technology, marketing trends, or reader insights. She loves reading books and people.
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