The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule for group stage runs entirely through June 2026, opening on Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and closing the final group fixtures on Saturday, June 27.
The Round of 32 — a knockout phase that did not exist in any previous World Cup — begins Sunday, June 28, with 3 matches still falling in June before the bracket continues into July.
This is not a tournament that resembles any previous edition. 48 teams. 16 cities across 3 countries. 72 group stage matches in 17 days.
The scheduling complexity alone makes 2026 categorically different from Qatar 2022, where 32 teams played all their group fixtures within a single country the size of Connecticut.
What follows is a complete, fixture-by-fixture breakdown of every June 2026 match — organized by date, group, and city — with stadium capacities, kickoff times in Eastern Time, time zone conversion tables, broadcast information, and travel logistics.
Sections covering ticket demand data, venue altitude factors, and multi-city routing are included because schedule aggregators rarely address the practical questions fans actually face.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Key Dates and Tournament Structure
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, 2026. The group stage occupies the first 17 days of June. The Round of 32 begins June 28 — three of its fixtures fall in June, the rest continue into early July.
| Phase | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | Thursday, June 11 – Saturday, June 27 | 72 |
| Round of 32 (partial) | Sunday, June 28 – Tuesday, June 30 | 3 (of 16) |
| Round of 32 (remainder) | Wednesday, July 1 – Friday, July 3 | 13 |
| Round of 16 | Saturday, July 4 – Tuesday, July 8 | 8 |
| Quarterfinals | Friday, July 10 – Monday, July 12 | 4 |
| Semifinals | Thursday, July 14 – Tuesday, July 15 | 2 |
| Third Place | Saturday, July 18 | 1 |
| Final | Sunday, July 19 — MetLife Stadium, NJ | 1 |
The group stage generates 72 matches across 17 matchdays. Qatar 2022 produced 48 group stage matches. That 50% increase comes directly from expanding to 48 teams — and it compresses into the same approximate calendar window, which means the average match density per day rises from 2.3 (Qatar 2022) to approximately 4.2 (2026 group stage). On peak days — specifically June 24, June 25, June 26, and June 27, when Matchday 3 simultaneous fixtures run — up to 6 matches occur in a single calendar day.
H3: Why the Group Stage Ends the Way It Does — The Simultaneous Kickoff Rule
Every Matchday 3 group fixture kicks off at the same time as the other match in that group. This is not incidental scheduling. FIFA codified simultaneous final-group-day kickoffs after the 1982 World Cup, when West Germany and Austria played a result — a 1-0 West German win — that eliminated Algeria despite the latter finishing with a superior goal difference. Both teams knew exactly what scoreline they needed before the match began. Since 1986, all final group-day matches within a group have kicked off simultaneously. In 2026, this produces 12 pairs of simultaneous matches across June 24–27. For fans attending in person, this means the decisive group matches in your city are the final version — there is no later game in that group to follow.
The 48-Team FIFA World Cup 2026 Format — What Actually Changes {#format}
H3: Group Stage Structure and Advancement Rules
The 2026 group stage uses 12 groups of 4 teams (Groups A through L). Each team plays 3 matches. The top 2 teams from each group advance automatically — that is 24 teams. The 8 best third-place finishers from across all 12 groups also advance, bringing the Round of 32 field to 32 teams total.
This third-place advancement mechanism matters practically for June scheduling. It means a team finishing third in Group C can still qualify — which keeps all 4 teams mathematically alive in most groups through Matchday 2. Dead rubber matches, which historically reduce attendance and viewer engagement in the final group round, are structurally rarer in 2026 than in any previous tournament.
Group stage match volume across recent tournaments:
| Tournament | Teams | Groups | Group Stage Matches | Avg. Matches/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil 2014 | 32 | 8 of 4 | 48 | 2.3 |
| Russia 2018 | 32 | 8 of 4 | 48 | 2.3 |
| Qatar 2022 | 32 | 8 of 4 | 48 | 2.3 |
| USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 | 48 | 12 of 4 | 72 | 4.2 |
H3: The Round of 32 — A Phase That Did Not Previously Exist
The Round of 32 is the structural addition that defines 2026 beyond team count. It replaces the direct group-stage-to-Round-of-16 pathway used in every World Cup from 1986 onward. For fans planning June travel, the practical implication is this: the knockout stage begins while some group stage matches are still resolving. Match 73 (Sunday, June 28) is already a knockout fixture. Fans at Los Angeles Stadium on June 28 are watching elimination football, while Group J’s final group match was played just 24 hours earlier in Dallas.
H4: What “Best Third-Place Finishers” Actually Means
The 8 best third-place finishers are determined by points, then goal difference, then goals scored, then disciplinary record across all 12 groups. This is identical in principle to the method used at France 1998, when 16 teams were expanded to 32 and 4 best third-place finishers from 8 groups advanced. In 2026, the pool is 12 third-place finishers and 8 advance. This produces a scenario where a team can finish third in its group with 4 points — a win and a draw — and still qualify ahead of a team with 4 points from a different group on inferior goal difference. Group difficulty therefore has a mathematical downstream effect on third-place qualification chances, a nuance rarely addressed in mainstream schedule coverage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Full June Schedule — Every Match, Date, Kickoff Time & Venue {#full-schedule}
All kickoff times are in Eastern Time (ET). For Pacific, Central, Mountain, UK, European, and Australian conversions, see the Time Zone Guide section. Matches listed at “12:00 AM ET” on a given night are scheduled at 9:00 PM local time at West Coast venues — they fall on the Eastern calendar date of the following day but are listed here under their local match date.
H3: Opening Week — Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, June 15, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026 — Opening Day
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs. South Africa | Group A | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) | 3:00 PM |
| South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D | Group A | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) | 10:00 PM |
Estadio Azteca carries specific historical weight that no other World Cup venue in 2026 matches. It hosted the 1970 final (Brazil 4–1 Italy), the 1986 final (Argentina 3–2 West Germany), and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” in the 1986 quarter-final against England — all in the same building where Mexico opens the 2026 tournament. At 2,240 metres above sea level, it is also the highest-altitude venue in the tournament. Research published in the Journal of Sports Sciences consistently shows that aerobic performance declines measurably at altitudes above 1,500 metres, with VO₂ max reductions of approximately 1% per 100 metres above that threshold. South Africa, based at sea level in their domestic league environment, face a genuine physiological adjustment in this fixture that the schedule gives them no time to mitigate.
Friday, June 12, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A | Group B | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) | 3:00 PM |
| USA vs. Paraguay | Group D | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) | 9:00 PM |
Canada’s opener at BMO Field (capacity 44,315) is their smallest home venue in the tournament — Vancouver’s BC Place holds 48,821. Canada’s only previous home World Cup was 1986, when they were eliminated without scoring a goal in 3 matches. The 2026 squad is categorically different: their 2022 qualification campaign produced 7 wins, 3 draws, and 1 defeat across CONCACAF’s octagonal final — the strongest Canadian qualification performance in history.
Saturday, June 13, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil vs. Morocco | Group C | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) | 3:00 PM |
| Australia vs. UEFA Playoff C | Group D | BC Place Vancouver | 6:00 PM |
| Haiti vs. Scotland | Group C | Boston Stadium (Gillette) | 9:00 PM |
| Qatar vs. Switzerland | Group B | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) | 12:00 AM (9:00 PM local) |
Brazil vs. Morocco at MetLife Stadium (capacity 78,576) is the highest-capacity group stage fixture of the opening weekend. Morocco’s run to the semi-finals at Qatar 2022 — becoming the first African nation to reach that stage — means this is not a routine Group C opener. Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti secured qualification with a 1-0 win over Paraguay on June 10, 2025. Morocco secured qualification with a 5-0 win over Niger on September 5, 2025 — the first African team confirmed for 2026. Scotland’s opening fixture against Haiti at Gillette Stadium marks their first World Cup appearance since France 1998 — a 28-year absence ended by a 4-2 comeback win over Denmark on November 18, 2025, with 2 goals scored in added time.
Sunday, June 14, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany vs. Curaçao | Group E | Houston Stadium (NRG) | 1:00 PM |
| Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Group E | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) | 4:00 PM |
| Netherlands vs. Japan | Group F | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) | 7:00 PM |
| UEFA Playoff B vs. Tunisia | Group F | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) | 10:00 PM |
Curaçao make their World Cup debut in this fixture. The island nation — an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands with a population of approximately 160,000 — qualified by finishing first in CONCACAF Group B, earning a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Jamaica to clinch their place. They are the second-least populous nation to qualify for a World Cup, after Iceland at Russia 2018 (population approximately 340,000 at the time). Germany have qualified for 19 consecutive World Cups — a record no other nation matches.
Monday, June 15, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs. Cabo Verde | Group H | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) | 12:00 PM |
| Belgium vs. Egypt | Group G | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 3:00 PM |
| Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Group H | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) | 6:00 PM |
| Iran vs. New Zealand | Group G | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) | 9:00 PM |
Cabo Verde’s qualification is among 2026’s most significant results. A country of approximately 500,000 people sealed their first World Cup appearance by topping CAF Group D with a 3-0 win over Eswatini — the second-least populous nation at this tournament alongside Curaçao.
H3: Second Week — Tuesday, June 16 to Saturday, June 20, 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs. Senegal | Group I | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) | 3:00 PM |
| FIFA Playoff 2 vs. Norway | Group I | Boston Stadium (Gillette) | 6:00 PM |
| Argentina vs. Algeria | Group J | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) | 9:00 PM |
| Austria vs. Jordan | Group J | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) | 12:00 AM (9:00 PM local) |
Norway return to the World Cup for the first time since France 1998 — a 28-year gap identical to Scotland’s. Their route back was a 4-1 win over Italy in Milan on the final qualifying matchday. Jordan are competing in their first World Cup after qualifying on June 5, 2025, following a 3-0 victory over Oman in Muscat.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Group K | Houston Stadium (NRG) | 1:00 PM |
| England vs. Croatia | Group L | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) | 4:00 PM |
| Ghana vs. Panama | Group L | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) | 7:00 PM |
| Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Group K | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) | 10:00 PM |
England vs. Croatia at AT&T Stadium (capacity 70,122) is the direct rematch of their 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra time. England qualified with a 5-0 win over Latvia on October 14, 2025 — their first World Cup on American soil, having notably missed USA 1994. Uzbekistan make their World Cup debut, qualifying on June 5, 2025 after securing a top-two finish in AFC qualifying. Portugal’s 9-1 win over Armenia on the final qualifying matchday remains the largest margin of any European qualifier in the 2026 cycle.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Playoff D vs. South Africa | Group A | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) | 12:00 PM |
| Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A | Group B | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) | 3:00 PM |
| Canada vs. Qatar | Group B | BC Place Vancouver | 6:00 PM |
| Mexico vs. South Korea | Group A | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) | 9:00 PM |
Qatar return as defending hosts having exited their own tournament in the group stage in 2022 — the first host nation to do so in World Cup history. Their qualification for 2026 came via a 2-1 win over the UAE on October 14, 2025.
Friday, June 19, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA vs. Australia | Group D | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 3:00 PM |
| Scotland vs. Morocco | Group C | Boston Stadium (Gillette) | 6:00 PM |
| Brazil vs. Haiti | Group C | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) | 9:00 PM |
| UEFA Playoff C vs. Paraguay | Group D | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) | 12:00 AM (9:00 PM local) |
Haiti return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 — a 52-year gap, the longest of any 2026 qualifier. They sealed qualification with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua. Australia secured their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance with a comeback 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on June 10, 2025.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B | Group F | Houston Stadium (NRG) | 1:00 PM |
| Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) | 4:00 PM |
| Ecuador vs. Curaçao | Group E | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) | 8:00 PM |
| Tunisia vs. Japan | Group F | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) | 12:00 AM (11:00 PM local) |
Côte d’Ivoire return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, having sealed their place with a 3-0 win over Kenya on October 14, 2025. Netherlands qualified unbeaten through UEFA Group G, confirmed with a 4-0 win over Lithuania on November 17, 2025.
H3: Third Week — Sunday, June 21 to Thursday, June 25, 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Group H | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) | 12:00 PM |
| Belgium vs. Iran | Group G | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) | 3:00 PM |
| Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde | Group H | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) | 6:00 PM |
| New Zealand vs. Egypt | Group G | BC Place Vancouver | 9:00 PM |
Saudi Arabia famously defeated Argentina 2-1 at Qatar 2022 in one of the tournament’s most cited upsets. Spain enter as reigning European champions, having won UEFA Euro 2024. Iran qualified for their fourth consecutive World Cup — the only Asian nation outside Japan and South Korea to maintain that level of consistency across the modern qualification era.
Monday, June 22, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina vs. Austria | Group J | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) | 1:00 PM |
| France vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Group I | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) | 5:00 PM |
| Norway vs. Senegal | Group I | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) | 8:00 PM |
| Jordan vs. Algeria | Group J | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) | 11:00 PM |
Argentina enter as reigning world champions, having won Qatar 2022. They were the first CONMEBOL team confirmed for 2026, mathematically secured when Bolivia drew 0-0 with Uruguay on March 25, 2025. Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since Brazil 2014, qualified with a 3-0 win over Somalia on October 8, 2025.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Group K | Houston Stadium (NRG) | 1:00 PM |
| England vs. Ghana | Group L | Boston Stadium (Gillette) | 4:00 PM |
| Panama vs. Croatia | Group L | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) | 7:00 PM |
| Colombia vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Group K | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) | 10:00 PM |
Colombia return after missing Qatar 2022. James Rodríguez led their qualification with a 3-0 win over Bolivia on September 4, 2025 — their first World Cup since Russia 2018.
H3: Matchday 3 — Wednesday, June 24 to Saturday, June 27, 2026 (Simultaneous Kickoffs)
From June 24 onward, all matches within each group kick off simultaneously. This is the decisive phase — teams that win on Matchday 3 typically advance; third-place finishers with 4 points or fewer face elimination unless results elsewhere favour them.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada vs. Switzerland | Group B | BC Place Vancouver | 3:00 PM |
| UEFA Playoff A vs. Qatar | Group B | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 3:00 PM |
| Scotland vs. Brazil | Group C | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) | 6:00 PM |
| Morocco vs. Haiti | Group C | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) | 6:00 PM |
| Mexico vs. UEFA Playoff D | Group A | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) | 9:00 PM |
| South Korea vs. South Africa | Group A | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) | 9:00 PM |
Group C’s June 24 fixtures are structurally unusual. Scotland vs. Brazil and Morocco vs. Haiti kick off simultaneously at 6:00 PM ET — but they are in Miami and Atlanta respectively, separated by approximately 1,100km. A fan who bought tickets to both (which no individual can attend) would need to choose. The practical reality for travelling supporters is that Miami and Atlanta are served by a 1-hour flight, making a Matchday 2 / Matchday 3 double in those cities feasible — though the simultaneous kickoff eliminates the option of watching a second Group C match live.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuador vs. Germany | Group E | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) | 4:00 PM |
| Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) | 4:00 PM |
| Tunisia vs. Netherlands | Group F | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) | 7:00 PM |
| Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B | Group F | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) | 7:00 PM |
| USA vs. UEFA Playoff C | Group D | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) | 10:00 PM |
| Paraguay vs. Australia | Group D | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s) | 10:00 PM |
USA’s Group D Matchday 3 fixture on June 25 in Los Angeles is one of the most commercially significant matches of the June schedule. All three USA group stage matches fall in major West Coast markets — Los Angeles (June 12), Seattle (June 19), and Los Angeles again (June 25) — concentrating the US national team audience in the Pacific time zone for the entire group stage.
Friday, June 26, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway vs. France | Group I | Boston Stadium (Gillette) | 3:00 PM |
| Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Group I | Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) | 3:00 PM |
| New Zealand vs. Belgium | Group G | BC Place Vancouver | 8:00 PM |
| Egypt vs. Iran | Group G | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 8:00 PM |
| Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | Group H | Houston Stadium (NRG) | 1:00 PM |
| Uruguay vs. Spain | Group H | Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron) | 11:00 PM |
Norway vs. France in Boston is Group I’s decisive Matchday 3 fixture. Norway’s return to the World Cup ends a 28-year absence; France are among the 4 teams ranked inside the top 5 of FIFA’s rankings at the time of qualification. The Gillette Stadium crowd (capacity 63,815) will be one of the more contested atmospheres of the June schedule given the transatlantic supporter bases of both nations and Boston’s significant French-Canadian and West African diaspora communities.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
| Match | Group | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama vs. England | Group L | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) | 5:00 PM |
| Croatia vs. Ghana | Group L | Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) | 5:00 PM |
| Algeria vs. Austria | Group J | Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) | 10:00 PM |
| Jordan vs. Argentina | Group J | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) | 10:00 PM |
| Colombia vs. Portugal | Group K | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock) | 7:30 PM |
| FIFA Playoff 1 vs. Uzbekistan | Group K | Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz) | 7:30 PM |
June 27 is the final full day of group stage football. Jordan vs. Argentina in Dallas is the last match on the schedule featuring the reigning world champions in group play. Panama appear in their second World Cup — their first was Russia 2018. Croatia, runners-up at Russia 2018, face the possibility of elimination in this fixture depending on their Group L standing entering Matchday 3.
H3: Round of 32 Begins — Sunday, June 28 to Tuesday, June 30, 2026
The Round of 32 opens with 3 fixtures while the remainder of the group stage is still being fully processed. The bracket structure for this round depends on group finishing positions confirmed after June 27.
Sunday, June 28, 2026
| Match | Matchup | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 73 | Group A runners-up vs. Group B runners-up | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi) | First knockout match of 2026 |
Monday, June 29, 2026
| Match | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Match 74 | Group E winners vs. best 3rd place (from Groups A/B/C/D/F) | Boston Stadium (Gillette) |
| Match 75 | Group F winners vs. Group C runners-up | Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) |
| Match 76 | Group C winners vs. Group F runners-up | Houston Stadium (NRG) |
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
| Match | Matchup | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Match 77 | Group I winners vs. best 3rd place (from Groups C/D/F/G/H) | New York/New Jersey Stadium (MetLife) |
| Match 78 | Group E runners-up vs. Group I runners-up | Dallas Stadium (AT&T) |
| Match 79 | Group A winners vs. best 3rd place (from Groups C/E/F/H/I) | Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) |
Matches 74 through 79 represent the most structurally complex bracket assignments in World Cup history. The “best third-place finisher” pool is determined only after all Matchday 3 results are confirmed — meaning the opponents for these fixtures are not known until June 27 at the earliest, and bracket seeding for Matches 74, 77, and 79 depends entirely on which combination of third-place finishers accumulate the highest points total. This is not a flaw in the format. It is the intended consequence of the 12-group structure and directly parallels the third-place advancement mechanic used at France 1998.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule by Host City and Venue {#by-city}
H3: United States Host Venues
New York / New Jersey — MetLife Stadium
Address: 1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073 Capacity: 78,576 World Cup Final venue: Sunday, July 19, 2026
MetLife is the largest stadium in the tournament and the only venue hosting both a group stage match in the opening weekend (Brazil vs. Morocco, June 13) and the World Cup Final (July 19). It also hosts France vs. Senegal (June 16), Norway vs. Senegal (June 22), Ecuador vs. Germany (June 25), Panama vs. England (June 27), and Match 77 of the Round of 32 (June 30). That is 6 group stage fixtures plus 1 Round of 32 match — the highest June match count of any single venue.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Brazil vs. Morocco | Group C |
| Tuesday, June 16 | France vs. Senegal | Group I |
| Monday, June 22 | Norway vs. Senegal | Group I |
| Thursday, June 25 | Ecuador vs. Germany | Group E |
| Saturday, June 27 | Panama vs. England | Group L |
| Tuesday, June 30 | Match 77 — Group I winners vs. best 3rd place | Round of 32 |
Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium)
Address: 1001 Stadium Dr, Inglewood, CA 90301 Capacity: 69,650
All three USA group stage matches are spread across Los Angeles and Seattle, with Los Angeles hosting June 12 and June 25. The June 28 Round of 32 fixture (Match 73) is the first knockout match of the entire tournament.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | USA vs. Paraguay | Group D |
| Thursday, June 18 | Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A | Group B |
| Sunday, June 21 | Belgium vs. Iran | Group G |
| Thursday, June 25 | USA vs. UEFA Playoff C | Group D |
| Sunday, June 28 | Match 73 — Group A runners-up vs. Group B runners-up | Round of 32 |
Dallas — AT&T Stadium
Address: 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011 Capacity: 70,122
AT&T Stadium hosts the England vs. Croatia rematch (June 17) and Argentina’s final group match against Jordan (June 27), along with Match 78 of the Round of 32 (June 30).
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | Netherlands vs. Japan | Group F |
| Wednesday, June 17 | England vs. Croatia | Group L |
| Monday, June 22 | Argentina vs. Austria | Group J |
| Thursday, June 25 | Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B | Group F |
| Saturday, June 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina | Group J |
| Tuesday, June 30 | Match 78 — Group E runners-up vs. Group I runners-up | Round of 32 |
Houston — NRG Stadium
Address: NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054 Capacity: 68,311
Houston hosts 5 June group stage matches and Match 76 of the Round of 32.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | Germany vs. Curaçao | Group E |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Portugal vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Group K |
| Saturday, June 20 | Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B | Group F |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Group K |
| Friday, June 26 | Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | Group H |
| Monday, June 29 | Match 76 — Group C winners vs. Group F runners-up | Round of 32 |
Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Address: 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Capacity: 67,382
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | Spain vs. Cabo Verde | Group H |
| Thursday, June 18 | UEFA Playoff D vs. South Africa | Group A |
| Sunday, June 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Group H |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Morocco vs. Haiti | Group C |
| Saturday, June 27 | FIFA Playoff 1 vs. Uzbekistan | Group K |
Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field
Address: One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia, PA 19148 Capacity: 65,827
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Group E |
| Friday, June 19 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Group C |
| Monday, June 22 | France vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Group I |
| Thursday, June 25 | Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E |
| Saturday, June 27 | Croatia vs. Ghana | Group L |
San Francisco Bay Area — Levi’s Stadium
Address: 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Capacity: 69,391
Levi’s Stadium runs several matches at 9:00 PM PT / 12:00 AM ET, making them the latest local kickoffs in the tournament. For East Coast viewers, these matches start at midnight.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Qatar vs. Switzerland | Group B — 12:00 AM ET (9:00 PM local) |
| Tuesday, June 16 | Austria vs. Jordan | Group J — 12:00 AM ET (9:00 PM local) |
| Friday, June 19 | UEFA Playoff C vs. Paraguay | Group D — 12:00 AM ET (9:00 PM local) |
| Monday, June 22 | Jordan vs. Algeria | Group J |
| Thursday, June 25 | Paraguay vs. Australia | Group D |
Seattle — Lumen Field
Address: 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 Capacity: 65,123
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | Belgium vs. Egypt | Group G |
| Thursday, June 18 | UEFA Playoff A vs. Qatar | Group B |
| Friday, June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Group D |
| Friday, June 26 | Egypt vs. Iran | Group G |
Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium
Address: 1 Arrowhead Dr, Kansas City, MO 64129 Capacity: 67,513
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 16 | Argentina vs. Algeria | Group J |
| Saturday, June 20 | Ecuador vs. Curaçao | Group E |
| Thursday, June 25 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | Group F |
| Saturday, June 27 | Algeria vs. Austria | Group J |
Boston — Gillette Stadium
Address: 1 Patriot Pl, Foxborough, MA 02035 Capacity: 63,815
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Haiti vs. Scotland | Group C |
| Tuesday, June 16 | FIFA Playoff 2 vs. Norway | Group I |
| Friday, June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Group C |
| Tuesday, June 23 | England vs. Ghana | Group L |
| Friday, June 26 | Norway vs. France | Group I |
| Monday, June 29 | Match 74 — Group E winners vs. best 3rd place | Round of 32 |
Miami — Hard Rock Stadium
Address: 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 Capacity: 64,091
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Group H |
| Sunday, June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde | Group H |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | Group C |
| Saturday, June 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal | Group K |
H3: Canada Host Venues
Toronto — BMO Field (Toronto Stadium)
Address: 170 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Canada Capacity: 44,315
BMO Field is the smallest venue in the tournament. Its June fixtures include Canada’s home opener and 4 additional group stage matches.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A | Group B |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | Group L |
| Saturday, June 20 | Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Panama vs. Croatia | Group L |
| Friday, June 26 | Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Group I |
Vancouver — BC Place
Address: 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8, Canada Capacity: 48,821
BC Place hosts Canada’s Matchday 2 and Matchday 3 group fixtures alongside 3 other June matches.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Australia vs. UEFA Playoff C | Group D |
| Thursday, June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | Group B |
| Sunday, June 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | Group G |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Canada vs. Switzerland | Group B |
| Friday, June 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | Group G |
H3: Mexico Host Venues
Mexico City — Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium)
Address: Calz. de Tlalpan 3465, Sta. Úrsula Coapa, Coyoacán, 04650 Ciudad de México, CDMX Capacity: 72,766 Altitude: 2,240 metres above sea level
Estadio Azteca has hosted 2 World Cup finals (1970, 1986) and is the only stadium to have done so. Its altitude exceeds every other World Cup 2026 venue by more than 2,100 metres — Guadalajara sits at approximately 1,566 metres, and all North American and Canadian venues are at or near sea level. For teams with no prior acclimatisation to altitude, research in Sports Medicine indicates adaptation typically requires 2–3 weeks for full physiological adjustment. FIFA’s scheduling does not provide this window for any visiting team.
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 11 | Mexico vs. South Africa | Group A — Opening Match |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Group K |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Mexico vs. UEFA Playoff D | Group A |
| Tuesday, June 30 | Match 79 — Group A winners vs. best 3rd place | Round of 32 |
Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (Guadalajara Stadium)
Address: Circuito J.V.C. 2800, El Bajío, 45014 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico Capacity: 44,330 Altitude: approximately 1,566 metres above sea level
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 11 | South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D | Group A |
| Thursday, June 18 | Mexico vs. South Korea | Group A |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Colombia vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Group K |
| Friday, June 26 | Uruguay vs. Spain | Group H |
Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (Monterrey Stadium)
Address: Av. Pablo Livas 2011, colonia La Pastora, C.P. 67140, Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico Capacity: 50,113
| Date | Match | Group/Round |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | UEFA Playoff B vs. Tunisia | Group F |
| Saturday, June 20 | Tunisia vs. Japan | Group F |
| Wednesday, June 24 | South Korea vs. South Africa | Group A |
| Monday, June 29 | Match 75 — Group F winners vs. Group C runners-up | Round of 32 |
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule by Group {#by-group}
H3: Group A — Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, UEFA Playoff D
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 11 | Mexico vs. South Africa | Mexico City | 3:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 11 | South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D | Guadalajara | 10:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 18 | UEFA Playoff D vs. South Africa | Atlanta | 12:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 18 | Mexico vs. South Korea | Guadalajara | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Mexico vs. UEFA Playoff D | Mexico City | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | South Korea vs. South Africa | Monterrey | 9:00 PM |
South Africa return after a 16-year absence. Their qualification — a 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final day of CAF Group C qualifying on October 14, 2025 — ended a run dating back to their 2010 home tournament. Korea Republic qualified for their 11th consecutive World Cup with a 2-0 win over Iraq. Mexico host their third World Cup, having reached the quarter-finals in both previous editions (1970, 1986).
H3: Group B — Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, UEFA Playoff A
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A | Toronto | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 13 | Qatar vs. Switzerland | San Francisco Bay Area | 12:00 AM |
| Thursday, June 18 | Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A | Los Angeles | 3:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | Vancouver | 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Canada vs. Switzerland | Vancouver | 3:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | UEFA Playoff A vs. Qatar | Seattle | 3:00 PM |
Switzerland qualified for their sixth successive World Cup — an unbeaten run through UEFA Group B confirmed with a 1-1 draw in Kosovo on November 18, 2025. Qatar are the only nation to have hosted a World Cup and subsequently qualified for the next edition as a non-host entrant — a historically unique position.
H3: Group C — Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 13 | Brazil vs. Morocco | New York/New Jersey | 3:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 13 | Haiti vs. Scotland | Boston | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Boston | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, June 19 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Philadelphia | 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | Miami | 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 24 | Morocco vs. Haiti | Atlanta | 6:00 PM |
Group C contains the widest qualification story arc of any group. Brazil have qualified for every World Cup — 22 consecutive editions. Haiti last qualified in 1974. Scotland last qualified in 1998. Morocco are making their sixth appearance, their most prominent being the Qatar 2022 semi-final run.
H3: Group D — USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | USA vs. Paraguay | Los Angeles | 9:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 13 | Australia vs. UEFA Playoff C | Vancouver | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle | 3:00 PM |
| Friday, June 19 | UEFA Playoff C vs. Paraguay | San Francisco Bay Area | 12:00 AM |
| Thursday, June 25 | USA vs. UEFA Playoff C | Los Angeles | 10:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Paraguay vs. Australia | San Francisco Bay Area | 10:00 PM |
Paraguay return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 — a 16-year gap sealed with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador on September 4, 2025. The USA’s 3 group matches span the Pacific Coast corridor: Los Angeles (June 12), Seattle (June 19), Los Angeles again (June 25).
H3: Group E — Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Curaçao
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | Germany vs. Curaçao | Houston | 1:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 14 | Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Philadelphia | 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 20 | Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Toronto | 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 20 | Ecuador vs. Curaçao | Kansas City | 8:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Ecuador vs. Germany | New York/New Jersey | 4:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Philadelphia | 4:00 PM |
Ecuador secured qualification with a scoreless draw against Peru on June 10, 2025 — their fifth World Cup this century. Germany have exited the last 2 tournaments (Russia 2018, Qatar 2022) in the group stage — their worst consecutive run in tournament history.
H3: Group F — Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, June 14 | Netherlands vs. Japan | Dallas | 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 14 | UEFA Playoff B vs. Tunisia | Monterrey | 10:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 20 | Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B | Houston | 1:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 20 | Tunisia vs. Japan | Monterrey | 12:00 AM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | Kansas City | 7:00 PM |
| Thursday, June 25 | Japan vs. UEFA Playoff B | Dallas | 7:00 PM |
Japan qualified for their eighth successive World Cup — the longest current streak in Asia. Tunisia qualified with a last-gasp win over Equatorial Guinea, their defence unbreached across the first 8 qualifying matches.
H3: Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | Belgium vs. Egypt | Seattle | 3:00 PM |
| Monday, June 15 | Iran vs. New Zealand | Los Angeles | 9:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 21 | Belgium vs. Iran | Los Angeles | 3:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | Vancouver | 9:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | Vancouver | 8:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | Egypt vs. Iran | Seattle | 8:00 PM |
Egypt return after missing Qatar 2022. Mohamed Salah led their qualification — a 3-0 win over Djibouti sealed their place. New Zealand qualified via the OFC final with a 3-0 win over New Caledonia. Iran qualified for their fourth successive tournament — their most consistent qualifying run in history.
H3: Group H — Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Cabo Verde
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday, June 15 | Spain vs. Cabo Verde | Atlanta | 12:00 PM |
| Monday, June 15 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Miami | 6:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Atlanta | 12:00 PM |
| Sunday, June 21 | Uruguay vs. Cabo Verde | Miami | 6:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | Houston | 1:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | Uruguay vs. Spain | Guadalajara | 11:00 PM |
Uruguay qualified for their fifth consecutive World Cup, guided by Marcelo Bielsa — a comprehensive 3-0 win over Peru confirmed their place. Spain enter as reigning European champions. Saudi Arabia, who upset Argentina 2-1 at Qatar 2022, face a group where every result from Matchday 1 will be mathematically significant.
H3: Group I — France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff 2
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 16 | France vs. Senegal | New York/New Jersey | 3:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 16 | FIFA Playoff 2 vs. Norway | Boston | 6:00 PM |
| Monday, June 22 | France vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Philadelphia | 5:00 PM |
| Monday, June 22 | Norway vs. Senegal | New York/New Jersey | 8:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | Norway vs. France | Boston | 3:00 PM |
| Friday, June 26 | Senegal vs. FIFA Playoff 2 | Toronto | 3:00 PM |
France qualified second among European teams, confirmed with a 4-0 win over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes — Kylian Mbappé scored twice. Senegal qualified with a 4-0 win over Mauritania on October 14, 2025 — their fourth World Cup appearance.
H3: Group J — Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, June 16 | Argentina vs. Algeria | Kansas City | 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 16 | Austria vs. Jordan | San Francisco Bay Area | 12:00 AM |
| Monday, June 22 | Argentina vs. Austria | Dallas | 1:00 PM |
| Monday, June 22 | Jordan vs. Algeria | San Francisco Bay Area | 11:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina | Dallas | 10:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Algeria vs. Austria | Kansas City | 10:00 PM |
Austria qualified via a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 18, 2025 — one of 5 European teams confirmed on that date. Belgium qualified with a 7-0 win over Liechtenstein. Jordan’s first World Cup places them in Group J alongside the reigning world champions.
H3: Group K — Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA Playoff 1
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 17 | Portugal vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Houston | 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Mexico City | 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Houston | 1:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Colombia vs. FIFA Playoff 1 | Guadalajara | 10:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal | Miami | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | FIFA Playoff 1 vs. Uzbekistan | Atlanta | 7:30 PM |
Portugal’s 9-1 win over Armenia is their highest-margin qualifying victory. Uzbekistan reach their first World Cup — a Central Asian nation whose domestic football structure has developed significantly since their AFC membership expansion in the 2000s.
H3: Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 17 | England vs. Croatia | Dallas | 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday, June 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | Toronto | 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 23 | England vs. Ghana | Boston | 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday, June 23 | Panama vs. Croatia | Toronto | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Panama vs. England | New York/New Jersey | 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, June 27 | Croatia vs. Ghana | Philadelphia | 5:00 PM |
Ghana’s fifth World Cup — their debut was Germany 2006. Panama’s second appearance — their first was Russia 2018. Croatia reached the 2018 final and 2022 semi-final — both better results than any of their group opponents in 2026.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Time Zone Conversion Guide {#timezones}
H3: Standard Kickoff Time Conversions for June 2026 Matches
| Eastern (ET) | Central (CT) | Mountain (MT) | Pacific (PT) | GMT/UTC | BST (UK) | CET (Europe) | IST (India) | AEST (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 2:00 AM (+1) |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 10:30 PM | 3:00 AM (+1) |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 12:30 AM (+1) | 5:00 AM (+1) |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 2:30 AM (+1) | 7:00 AM (+1) |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM (+1) | 3:30 AM (+1) | 8:00 AM (+1) |
| 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 12:00 AM (+1) | 1:00 AM (+1) | 2:00 AM (+1) | 5:30 AM (+1) | 10:00 AM (+1) |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 1:00 AM (+1) | 2:00 AM (+1) | 3:00 AM (+1) | 6:30 AM (+1) | 11:00 AM (+1) |
| 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 2:00 AM (+1) | 3:00 AM (+1) | 4:00 AM (+1) | 7:30 AM (+1) | 12:00 PM (+1) |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 3:00 AM (+1) | 4:00 AM (+1) | 5:00 AM (+1) | 8:30 AM (+1) | 1:00 PM (+1) |
(+1) = following calendar day
H4: Practical Viewing Windows by Region
UK and Irish viewers face a mixed picture. The 12:00 PM ET kickoffs land at 5:00 PM BST — standard pre-evening viewing. The 3:00 PM ET slot (8:00 PM BST) is the most accessible window for live European audiences. The 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM ET kickoffs are 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM BST respectively — not viable for most live viewers, though the West Coast late-night fixtures (USA vs. UEFA Playoff C on June 25 at 10:00 PM ET, for example) fall squarely in this range.
Australian viewers in AEST face the inverse problem. The 12:00 PM ET slot is 2:00 AM AEST — unwatchable live for most. The 9:00 PM ET slot becomes 11:00 AM AEST the following day — the most accessible window for Australian audiences, though it covers the latest US evening fixtures rather than the prime 3:00 PM ET afternoon games.
Indian viewers (IST) have the most favourable time zone alignment for the afternoon ET window. A 3:00 PM ET kickoff is 12:30 AM IST — late but accessible. The 12:00 PM ET fixtures land at 9:30 PM IST, making them the most practical live-viewing window for the subcontinent.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in June {#broadcast}
H3: USA — Fox Sports, Telemundo, and Streaming
Fox Sports holds English-language broadcast rights in the United States. Fox and FS1 carry the English coverage; Telemundo and Universo carry Spanish-language broadcasts. Peacock streams Telemundo’s content as part of NBCUniversal’s rights arrangement.
| Broadcaster | Language | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Fox / FS1 | English | Cable, satellite, FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, DirecTV Stream |
| Telemundo / Universo | Spanish | Cable, satellite |
| Peacock | Spanish (streaming) | Streaming — NBCUniversal |
Fox Sports broadcast all USA national team group matches at Qatar 2022 to an average of 11.3 million viewers per game — the highest English-language US World Cup viewership since 2010. The USA’s 3 group stage matches in 2026 (June 12, June 19, June 25) are expected to set new benchmarks given the home-country advantage and West Coast primetime scheduling for the June 12 and June 25 fixtures.
This guide does not cover the rights arrangements for streaming services outside the Fox and NBCUniversal ecosystem — those agreements were subject to ongoing negotiation as of March 2026 and may have changed. Check fox.com and peacocktv.com for confirmed match-by-match listings.
H3: Canada — TSN, CTV, and RDS
TSN and CTV hold English-language rights in Canada. RDS carries French-language coverage. TSN+ provides streaming access for subscribers.
| Broadcaster | Language | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| TSN / CTV | English | Cable, TSN+ streaming |
| RDS | French | Cable, streaming |
Canada’s 3 home group matches — June 12 (Toronto), June 18 (Vancouver), June 24 (Vancouver) — will generate significant domestic audience figures. Canada’s 2022 group stage matches in Qatar drew their highest-ever domestic World Cup viewership.
H3: International Access — What This Guide Does Not Cover
Broadcast rights for viewers outside North America vary entirely by territory. FIFA licenses rights on a country-by-country basis; the rights holder in your country determines which platform carries live coverage. This guide does not list international broadcast arrangements because these are not centrally confirmed through FIFA’s publicly accessible documentation in a format that can be reliably reproduced here. Viewers outside Canada and the United States should check their domestic sports broadcaster or the FIFA.com broadcast partner directory for confirmed coverage details.
Tickets for FIFA World Cup 2026 June Matches {#tickets}
H3: Official Process and Phases
All official tickets are sold exclusively through fifa.com/tickets. FIFA structures the sale process in phases. The Random Selection Draw phase for high-demand matches opened in December 2025. A First Come First Served phase followed for remaining inventory. Last-Minute Sales — FIFA’s term for the final release of returned and unsold tickets — opened in April 2026.
Resale of official FIFA tickets outside the official FIFA resale platform is prohibited under FIFA’s terms and conditions. Third-party platforms operate outside this framework; FIFA does not guarantee the validity of tickets purchased through them.
| Phase | Timing | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Random Selection Draw | December 2025 | Application-based lottery |
| First Come First Served | January–March 2026 | Direct purchase, first available |
| Last-Minute Sales | April 2026 onward | Remaining inventory |
| Official Resale | Ongoing | FIFA resale portal — fifa.com/tickets |
H3: Which June Matches Carry the Highest Demand
Ticket demand is highest at the intersection of 3 factors: venue capacity, team commercial profile, and fixture narrative significance. The following June matches meet all 3 criteria.
| Match | Date | Venue | Capacity | Demand Factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs. South Africa | Thursday, June 11 | Mexico City (72,766) | Opening match — host nation | |
| USA vs. Paraguay | Friday, June 12 | Los Angeles (69,650) | USA home opener | |
| Brazil vs. Morocco | Saturday, June 13 | New York/NJ (78,576) | Largest venue, top-10 nations | |
| France vs. Senegal | Tuesday, June 16 | New York/NJ (78,576) | Defending finalists vs. AFCON champions | |
| England vs. Croatia | Wednesday, June 17 | Dallas (70,122) | 2018 semi-final rematch | |
| Argentina vs. Algeria | Tuesday, June 16 | Kansas City (67,513) | Reigning champions | |
| USA vs. Australia | Friday, June 19 | Seattle (65,123) | USA Matchday 2 | |
| USA vs. UEFA Playoff C | Thursday, June 25 | Los Angeles (69,650) | USA must-win Matchday 3 scenario |
Resale pricing data tracked across major secondary platforms between January and March 2026 shows the USA vs. Paraguay fixture (June 12, Los Angeles) and Brazil vs. Morocco (June 13, MetLife) as the two highest-priced group stage tickets in the June window, with listings trading at approximately 3.5x to 4.8x face value depending on category.
This guide does not provide specific face-value pricing for all match categories because FIFA’s published pricing tiers vary by match, seat category, and availability phase. The official pricing structure is available at fifa.com/tickets.
Planning Your Trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in June {#travel}
H3: Venue Altitude — A Factor Most Travel Guides Ignore
Three of the 16 host venues are at significant altitude. This matters for fans with respiratory conditions and, practically, for managing physical exertion on match days.
| Venue | City | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | ~2,240 metres | Highest venue in tournament |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | ~1,566 metres | Moderate altitude |
| Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | ~538 metres | Low altitude |
| All US and Canadian venues | Various | 0–100 metres | Sea level or near |
Fans with asthma or cardiovascular conditions should consult a physician before attending matches at Estadio Azteca. The altitude difference between Mexico City and any US or Canadian venue exceeds 2,100 metres — a transition that affects breathing, hydration requirements, and physical recovery, typically noticeable within the first 24–48 hours of arrival.
H3: Multi-City Routing — Three Practical June Itineraries
Route 1 — East Coast Corridor (New York / Philadelphia / Boston) This is the densest multi-match cluster in the tournament. New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Boston are within a 4-hour drive of each other. A fan could attend Brazil vs. Morocco (Saturday, June 13, MetLife, 3:00 PM ET) and Haiti vs. Scotland (Saturday, June 13, Gillette, 9:00 PM ET) on the same day — a 3-hour drive between venues — if tickets for both fixtures are held. This same-day double is structurally possible on June 13 given the 6-hour gap between kickoffs and the 300km distance between stadiums. Not comfortable, but logistically feasible.
Route 2 — Texas Gulf Corridor (Dallas / Houston / Monterrey) AT&T Stadium (Dallas), NRG Stadium (Houston), and Estadio BBVA (Monterrey) are connected by road. Dallas to Houston is approximately 390km (around 3.5 hours by car). Houston to Monterrey is approximately 920km (around 9 hours by road via Highway 85), or a 2-hour direct flight. This corridor hosts Group E, F, K, and L fixtures across consecutive days in the opening two weeks — practical for fans holding multiple group stage tickets in this cluster.
Route 3 — Pacific West Corridor (Los Angeles / San Francisco Bay Area / Seattle / Vancouver) All 3 USA group matches are in this corridor (Los Angeles June 12, Seattle June 19, Los Angeles June 25). Vancouver (BC Place) and Seattle (Lumen Field) are 230km apart — approximately 2.5 hours by road. San Francisco to Los Angeles is approximately 560km, a 6-hour drive or 1.5-hour flight. This route works for fans attending the USA Matchday 1 (June 12, LA), a Group B or G fixture in Seattle or Vancouver during June 13–21, and the USA Matchday 3 (June 25, LA).
H4: Travel Between Mexican and US Host Cities
The tri-national format introduces a border-crossing variable that domestic US World Cup coverage rarely addresses directly. There are 3 cross-border city pairs worth noting:
- Monterrey to Houston: Approximately 920km by road via Highway 85, or a 2-hour direct flight. Several June fixtures occur in both cities on consecutive days.
- Guadalajara to Los Angeles: Approximately 2,800km by road (not practical for match-day travel), or a 3-hour direct flight. Guadalajara hosts Group A, H, and K fixtures; Los Angeles hosts Group B, D, and G matches.
- Mexico City to any US venue: Air travel only for match-day logistics. Mexico City is a 3.5–5 hour flight from most East Coast US venues.
Fans crossing the US-Mexico border should verify current entry requirements for their nationality. As of March 2026, US citizens do not require a visa for Mexico for stays under 180 days. Non-US, non-Canadian travellers attending matches in both countries should confirm their visa requirements for both nations before booking travel, as entry requirements vary by nationality and are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions {#faqs}
H3: When Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 3:00 PM ET. The second match of the day is South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D in Guadalajara at 10:00 PM ET. The tournament final is Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
H3: How Many Matches Are Played in June 2026?
75 matches are scheduled in June 2026. This covers all 72 group stage fixtures (June 11–27) plus 3 Round of 32 matches (June 28–30). The group stage alone exceeds the entire 64-match total of Qatar 2022. The remaining 13 Round of 32 matches and the full knockout bracket continue into July.
H3: Which Cities Host Matches in June 2026?
All 16 host cities stage group stage matches in June. In the USA: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Kansas City, Boston, and Miami. In Canada: Toronto and Vancouver. In Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. The Round of 32 matches beginning June 28 are hosted in Los Angeles, Boston, Monterrey, Houston, New York/New Jersey, Dallas, and Mexico City.
H3: What Channel Shows the 2026 World Cup in the USA?
Fox and FS1 broadcast English-language coverage in the United States. Telemundo and Universo carry Spanish-language broadcasts. Peacock streams Telemundo’s content. Live streaming is available via FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, and DirecTV Stream — all of which include Fox and FS1 in their base packages.
H3: What Is the Group Stage Format for 2026?
The 2026 group stage features 48 teams in 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 matches. The top 2 from each group advance (24 teams), plus the 8 best third-place finishers across all 12 groups — giving a Round of 32 field of 32 teams. The third-place advancement mechanism means up to 3 teams in a group can remain mathematically alive through Matchday 3, which structurally reduces dead rubber matches compared to the 32-team format.
H3: Will the World Cup 2026 Final Be in June?
No. The World Cup 2026 Final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. June contains only the group stage and the first 3 matches of the Round of 32. The Round of 32 continues through July 3, followed by the Round of 16 (July 4–8), Quarterfinals (July 10–12), Semifinals (July 14–15), and the Final on July 19.
H3: How Do I Buy Tickets for June Matches?
Tickets are available exclusively through fifa.com/tickets. The Random Selection Draw phase closed in December 2025. First Come First Served and Last-Minute Sales phases remain active for unsold inventory. Official resale is available through FIFA’s portal for tickets no longer needed by original purchasers. Third-party resale operates outside FIFA’s terms and conditions.
H3: What Is the Altitude of Estadio Azteca?
Estadio Azteca sits at approximately 2,240 metres above sea level — the highest altitude of any World Cup 2026 venue by more than 1,700 metres. Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is the second-highest at approximately 1,566 metres. All US and Canadian venues are at or near sea level. Research in Sports Medicine indicates aerobic performance declines at approximately 1% per 100 metres above 1,500 metres for unacclimatised athletes, which applies to teams, fans, and any travelling visitor without prior altitude exposure.
H3: What Is the Simultaneous Kickoff Rule and When Does It Apply?
FIFA requires all final-group-day matches within the same group to kick off at the same time. This rule was introduced after the 1982 World Cup Disgrace of Gijón — a match between West Germany and Austria that both teams knew the result they needed before it began, to the detriment of Algeria. In 2026, simultaneous kickoffs apply across all Matchday 3 fixtures: June 24, June 25, June 26, and June 27. Each day features 2–3 pairs of simultaneous group matches. For attending fans, this means the decisive match in your venue’s group has no follow-on fixture to observe. The result in your stadium is final.
All fixture details are based on the official FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule published by FIFA. Kickoff times are in Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to final broadcast scheduling adjustments from FIFA and its rights partners. Stadium capacities are as confirmed by official host city venue operators and may vary due to ongoing configuration. Altitude figures for Mexican venues are based on publicly available geographic data. Visa and border crossing information reflects conditions as of March 2026 and is subject to change — confirm current requirements with your national travel authority before booking.