World Cup 2026 key dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 - 104 matches over 39 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The group stage ends June 27, knockouts begin June 28 with the new Round of 32, and the final is on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Every stage, with dates
| Stage | Dates (2026) | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Jun 11 - Jun 27 | 72 |
| Round of 32 | Jun 28 - Jul 3 | 16 |
| Round of 16 | Jul 4 - Jul 7 | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | Jul 9 - Jul 11 | 4 |
| Semi-finals | Jul 14 - Jul 15 | 2 |
| Third-place Playoff | Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 1 |
| Final | Sunday, July 19, 2026 | 1 |
Dates to circle
Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
USA opener: United States vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles; Canada opener: Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field, Toronto
Final group-stage match day - qualification scenarios decided
Knockout football begins with the new Round of 32
Round of 16 begins (July 4 holiday weekend in the USA)
Quarter-finals begin in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City
First semi-final at AT&T Stadium, Dallas
Second semi-final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Third-place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Final at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
Plan around the schedule
Matches today
Today's World Cup schedule, updated automatically.
All 104 fixtures
The complete match list with venues and kickoff times.
Round of 32
The new knockout stage, June 28 - July 3.
Round of 16
July 4-7, 2026: eight knockout matches.
The Final
July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium.
Match countdown
Live countdown to any kickoff.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start and end?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from Thursday, June 11, 2026 (opening match: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca) to Sunday, July 19, 2026 (final at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey) - 104 matches over 39 days.
When is the World Cup 2026 Round of 32?
The Round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3, 2026 - 16 single-elimination matches. It is a brand new stage introduced for the 48-team format.
When is the World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
The Round of 16 runs from July 4 to July 7, 2026 - eight knockout matches that decide the quarter-finalists.
When are the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals and semi-finals?
The quarter-finals are played July 9-11, 2026 in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Kansas City. The semi-finals are July 14 (Dallas) and July 15 (Atlanta), 2026.
When is the World Cup 2026 third-place playoff?
The third-place playoff (bronze final) is on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, between the two semi-final losers.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey (capacity 82,500).
When does the World Cup 2026 group stage end?
The group stage runs June 11-27, 2026: 72 matches across 12 groups. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
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