World Cup 2026 Schedule: All the Matches of the Football Tournament

The world of football is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be the largest in history. Three and a half years after Argentina's victory in Qatar, the tournament will unfold across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This edition introduces a significant expansion, featuring 48 participating teams and a total of 104 matches spread over 39 days.

The grand event will commence on Thursday, June 11, with host nation Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca. The championship match is slated for Sunday, July 19, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This expansion means 16 more teams and 40 additional games compared to the last seven World Cups, marking a new era for the competition.

To accommodate the increased number of teams, the tournament's format has been adjusted. The group stage will involve round-robin play within each group, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a newly introduced 32-team knockout stage. This round of 32 will lead to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately, the final match to determine the world champion.

Argentina, the reigning champions, have been placed as the top seed in Group J. Brazil will lead Group C, and Germany is positioned as the favorite to win Group E. Notably, Iran's team will play its matches in the United States but will be based in Mexico due to ongoing political tensions.