FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete guide to teams, groups, hosts, format and fixtures
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FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete guide to teams, groups, hosts, format and fixtures Photograph: (AFP)
From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, bringing together more teams, more matches, and an unprecedented scale across three host nations — United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the competition expanding to 48 teams for the first time, fans can expect a fresh format, intense group-stage battles, and a longer road to glory.
From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know about the teams, hosts, format, and schedule of football’s biggest carnival.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, returning to the traditional summer schedule after the winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
World Cup key dates
Group stage:June 11-27
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Round of 32:June 28 to July 3
Round of 16:July 4-7
Quarter-finals:July 9-11
Semi-finals:July 14-15
Third-place play-off ('Bronze final'):July 18
Final:July 19 Total
Duration: 39 days
Total matches: 104
Teams participating: 48
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, featuring host nation Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City.
Host Cities & Stadiums
A total of 16 cities across North America will host matches during the tournament. These cities will stage all 104 matches of the expanded World Cup.
United States (11 cities)
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
Lumen Field in Seattle
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
NRG Stadium in Houston
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California
Mexico (3 Cities)
Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Estadio Banorte in Mexico City
Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico
Canada (2 Cities)
BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia
BMO Field in Toronto
New Tournament Format (48 Teams)
The 2026 edition will introduce a new expanded format of 48 teams instead of 32.
12 groups of 4 teams each in which top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams will advance to knockout stage. Teams will compete with round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals - before reaching the World Cup final.
Groups
Groups A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkiye
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Prize Money Distribution of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The total prize pool for the tournament stands at $727 million (approximately Rs 6,68,840,000,000 or Rs 66,884 crore), making it the most lucrative FIFA World Cup in history.
Fixtures
Thursday, June 11
- Group A:Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Mexico City, Mexico
Friday, June 12
- Group A:South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Zapopan, Mexico
- Group B:Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
Saturday, June 13
- Group D:USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
- Group B:Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Group C:Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
Sunday, June 14
- Group C:Haiti vsScotland, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
- Group D:Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
- Group E:Germany vs Curacao, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Group F:Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
Monday, June 15
- Group E:Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
- Group F:Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Guadalupe, Mexico
- Group H:Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Group G:Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
- Group H:Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Tuesday, June 16
- Group G:Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
- Group I:France vs Senegal, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
- Group I:Iraq vs Norway, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
Wednesday, June 17
- Group J:Argentina vs Algeria, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Kansas City, USA
- Group J:Austria vs Jordan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Group K:Portugal vs DR Congo, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Group L:Englandvs Croatia, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
Thursday, June 18
- Group L:Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
- Group K:Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Mexico City, Mexico
- Group A:Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Group B:Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
- Group B:Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
Friday, June 19
- Group A:Mexico vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Zapopan, Mexico
- Group D:USA vs Australia, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
- Group C:Scotlandvs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
Saturday, June 20
- Group C:Brazil vs Haiti, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
- Group D:Turkey vs Paraguay, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Group A:Netherlands vs Sweden, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Group E:Germany vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
Sunday, June 21
- Group E:Ecuador vs Curacao, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Kansas City, USA
- Group F:Tunisia vs Japan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -Guadalupe, Mexico
- Group H:Spain vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Group G:Belgium vs Iran, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
- Group H:Uruguay vs Cape Verde, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Monday, June 22
- Group G:New Zealand vs Egypt, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
- Group J:Argentina vs Austria, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Arlington, USA
- Group I:France vs Iraq, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
Tuesday, June 23
- Group I:Norway vs Senegal, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
- Group J:Jordan vs Algeria, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Group K:Portugal vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Group L:Englandvs Ghana, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
Wednesday, June 24
- Group L:Panama vs Croatia, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
- Group K:Colombia vs DR Congo, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Zapopan, Mexico
- Group B:Switzerland vs Canada, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
- Group B:Bosnia & Herzegovinavs Qatar, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
- Group C:Morocco vs Haiti, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Group C:Scotlandvs Brazil, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Thursday, June 25
- Group A:South Africa vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Guadalupe, Mexico
- Group A:Czech Republic vs Mexico, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Mexico City, Mexico
- Group E:Curacao vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
- Group E:Ecuador vs Germany, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
Friday, June 26
- Group F:Tunisia vs Netherlands, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Kansas City, USA
- Group F:Japan vs Sweden, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
- Group D:Turkey vs USA, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
- Group D:Paraguay vs Australia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Group I:Norway vs France, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
- Group I:Senegal vs Iraq, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
Saturday, June 27
- Group H:Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Group H:Uruguay vs Spain, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Zapopan, Mexico
- Group G:New Zealand vs Belgium, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
- Group G:Egypt vs Iran, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
- Group L:Panama vsEngland, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
- Group L:Croatia vs Ghana, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
Sunday, June 28
- Group K:Colombia vs Portugal, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
- Group K:DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Group J:Algeria vs Austria, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Kansas City, USA
- Group J:Jordan vs Argentina, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
Sunday, June 28
- Round of 32 - Match 73:Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
Monday, June 29
- Round of 32 - Match 76:Group C winners vs Group F runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 74:Group E winners vs Group A/B/C/D/F third place, kick-off 2:00 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
Tuesday, June 30
- Round of 32 - Match 75:Group F winners vs Group C runners-up, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Guadalupe, Mexico
- Round of 32 - Match 78:Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Arlington, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 77:Group I winners vs Group C/D/F/G/H third place, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
Wednesday, July 1
- Round of 32 - Match 79:Group A winners vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Mexico City, Mexico
- Round of 32 - Match 80:Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 82:Group G winners vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
Thursday, July 2
- Round of 32 - Match 81:Group D winners vs Group B/E/F/I/J third place, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Santa Clara, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 84:Group H winners vs Group J runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
Friday, July 3
- Round of 32 - Match 83:Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -Toronto, Canada
- Round of 32 - Match 85:Group B winners vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
- Round of 32 - Match 88:Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up, kick-off 11:30 p.m. IST -Arlington, USA
- Round of 32 - Match 86:Group J winners vs Group H runners-up, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Saturday, July 4
- Round of 32 - Match 87:Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place, kick-off 2.30am -Kansas City, USA
- Round of 16 - Match 90:Match 73 winners vs Match 75 winners, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -Houston, USA
- Round of 16 - Match 89:Match 74 winners vs Match 77 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -Philadelphia, USA
Sunday, July 5
- Round of 16 - Match 91:Match 76 winners vs Match 78 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
Monday, July 6
- Round of 16 - Match 92:Match 79 winners vs Match 80 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Mexico City, Mexico
- Round of 16 - Match 93:Match 83 winners vs Match 84 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
Tuesday, July 7
- Round of 16 - Match 94:Match 81 winners vs Match 82 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -Seattle, USA
- Round of 16 - Match 95:Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
- Round of 16 - Match 96:Match 85 winners vs Match 87 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Vancouver, Canada
Thursday, July 9
- Quarter-final - Match 97:Match 89 winners vs Match 90 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -Foxborough, USA
Friday, July 10
- Quarter-final - Match 98:Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Los Angeles, USA
Saturday, July 11
- Quarter-final - Match 99:Match 91 winners vs Match 92 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Sunday, July 12
- Quarter-final - Match 100:Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -Kansas City, USA
Tuesday, July 14
- Semi-final - Match 101:Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Arlington, USA
Wednesday, July 15
- Semi-final - Match 102:Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -Atlanta, USA
Saturday, July 18
- Third Place Playoff - Match 103:Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -Miami, USA
Sunday, July 19
- Final - Match 104:Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -New Jersey, USA
