World Cup 2026 - schedule, groups, results and broadcasts

Key Information About the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The biggest football event in the world is just around the corner. Check out the most important information about the 2026 FIFA World Cup and make sure you do not miss a single match. From the tournament schedule to the latest news and updates, everything you need is available in one place to keep you up to date with all the excitement of the World Cup. Experience every moment with us!

When Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Take Place?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026, while the final is scheduled for July 19, 2026. The tournament will last for more than a month, making it one of the longest World Cups in history.

Where Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Be Held?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three countries:

·       United States

·       Canada

·       Mexico

This will be the first FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by three nations and the first World Cup held in North America since 1994.

How Many Teams Will Compete at the 2026 World Cup?

A total of 48 national teams will participate in the tournament, representing a significant expansion compared to previous editions, which featured 32 teams. It will be the largest FIFA World Cup in history.

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule

The tournament will be divided into several stages:

·       Group Stage: June 11–27

·       Round of 32: June 28 – July 3

·       Round of 16: July 4–7

·       Quarter-finals: July 9–11

·       Semi-finals: July 14–15

·       Third-place Match: July 18

·       Final: July 19

Please note that these dates are based on local time in the host countries. Depending on your location, some matches may be played during the night or early morning hours.

You can always check the latest and most accurate FIFA World Cup schedule on our website.

Teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest tournament in football history. A total of 48 national teams from around the world will compete across the United States, Canada and Mexico for football’s most prestigious trophy.

Tournament Favorites

The main contenders for the title include:

·       Argentina (defending champions)

·       France (runners-up in the previous edition)

·       Brazil

·       England

·       Germany

Host Nations

The following host nations qualified automatically:

·       United States

·       Canada

·       Mexico

All Participating Teams

The final list of participants includes 48 national teams from six football confederations: UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, CONCACAF and OFC.

So, which teams will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Here is the complete list. You will also find the group stage draw further down the page.

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Ivory Coast.

Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

If you are looking for information about where to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you are in the right place. Mecz-live.pl is a comprehensive guide to football broadcasts, including TV schedules and online streaming information. We monitor television broadcasters and streaming platforms every day to provide the most up-to-date information about World Cup coverage.

TV Channels and Broadcasting Rights

Broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are held by television networks and streaming services around the world. Examples include Fox Sports in the United States, BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom, M6 in France and RTVE in Spain. A detailed list of broadcasters can be found on our website.

Stadiums and Host Cities

Matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across 16 stadiums located in 16 host cities. Eleven host cities are located in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.

Tournament Stadiums

The tournament will be played at the following stadiums:

·       Estadio Azteca

·       MetLife Stadium

·       SoFi Stadium

·       AT&T Stadium

·       Arrowhead Stadium

·       NRG Stadium

·       Mercedes-Benz Stadium

·       Lincoln Financial Field

·       Levi’s Stadium

·       Lumen Field

·       Gillette Stadium

·       Hard Rock Stadium

·       BC Place

·       BMO Field

·       Estadio BBVA

·       Estadio Akron

Host Cities

The tournament will visit some of the largest cities in North America:

United States

·       Atlanta

·       Boston

·       Dallas

·       Philadelphia

·       Houston

·       Kansas City

·       Los Angeles

·       Miami

·       New York / New Jersey

·       Seattle

·       San Francisco

Canada

·       Toronto

·       Vancouver

Mexico

·       Guadalajara

·       Mexico City

·       Monterrey

2026 FIFA World Cup Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups. A total of 32 teams will advance from the group stage to the Round of 32, after which the competition will continue in a knockout format until the final.

Group Stage Qualification Rules

The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

The following teams will advance:

·       The top two teams from each group

·       The eight best third-placed teams

How Does the Third-Place Ranking Work?

Third-placed teams will be ranked according to:

·       Number of points

·       Goal difference

·       Goals scored

The best eight third-placed teams will advance to the knockout stage.

How Does the Knockout Stage Work?

The knockout stage begins with the Round of 32 and continues all the way to the final. From this point onward, every match is an elimination game. The losing team is eliminated, while the winner advances to the next round.

The Round of 32 features 32 teams, the Round of 16 features 16 teams, the quarter-finals feature 8 teams, the semi-finals feature 4 teams and only the two best teams will reach the final.

A detailed knockout bracket can be found further down this page.

Upcoming Matches

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026.

The following matches will then be played:

·       South Korea vs Czech Republic

·       Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina

·       United States vs Paraguay

·       Qatar vs Switzerland

Full Tournament Calendar

The tournament will feature a record-breaking 104 matches, making it the biggest FIFA World Cup ever held. You can follow the complete match calendar on our website.

2026 FIFA World Cup Groups

The teams competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been divided into 12 groups, from Group A to Group L, with four teams in each group.

Group A

·       Mexico

·       South Africa

·       South Korea

·       Czech Republic

Group B

·       Canada

·       Bosnia and Herzegovina

·       Qatar

·       Switzerland

Group C

·       Brazil

·       Morocco

·       Haiti

·       Scotland

Group D

·       United States

·       Paraguay

·       Australia

·       Türkiye

Group E

·       Germany

·       Curaçao

·       Ivory Coast

·       Ecuador

Group F

·       Netherlands

·       Japan

·       Sweden

·       Tunisia

Group G

·       Belgium

·       Egypt

·       Iran

·       New Zealand

Group H

·       Spain

·       Cape Verde

·       Saudi Arabia

·       Uruguay

Group I

·       France

·       Senegal

·       Iraq

·       Norway

Group J

·       Argentina

·       Algeria

·       Austria

·       Jordan

Group K

·       Portugal

·       DR Congo

·       Uzbekistan

·       Colombia

Group L

·       England

·       Croatia

·       Ghana

·       Panama

2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Bracket

The knockout stage will feature the 32 best teams in the tournament, including all group winners, runners-up and the eight best third-placed teams.

Round of 32

·       Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group B (Match 73)

·       Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group F (Match 76)

·       Winner Group E vs Third Place from Groups A, B, C, D or F (Match 74)

·       Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group C (Match 75)

·       Runner-up Group E vs Runner-up Group I (Match 78)

·       Winner Group I vs Third Place from Groups C, D, F, G or H (Match 77)

·       Winner Group A vs Third Place from Groups C, E, F, H or I (Match 79)

·       Winner Group L vs Third Place from Groups E, H, I, J or K (Match 80)

·       Winner Group G vs Third Place from Groups A, E, H, I or J (Match 82)

·       Winner Group D vs Third Place from Groups B, E, F, I or J (Match 81)

·       Winner Group H vs Runner-up Group J (Match 84)

·       Runner-up Group K vs Runner-up Group L (Match 83)

·       Winner Group B vs Third Place from Groups E, F, G, I or J (Match 85)

·       Runner-up Group D vs Runner-up Group G (Match 88)

·       Winner Group J vs Runner-up Group H (Match 86)

·       Winner Group K vs Third Place from Groups D, E, I, J or L (Match 87)

Round of 16

·       Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75 (Match 90)

·       Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 (Match 89)

·       Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78 (Match 91)

·       Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80 (Match 92)

·       Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84 (Match 93)

·       Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82 (Match 94)

·       Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88 (Match 95)

·       Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87 (Match 96)

Quarter-finals

·       Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90 (Match 97)

·       Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94 (Match 98)

·       Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92 (Match 99)

·       Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 (Match 100)

Semi-finals

·       Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98

·       Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100

Final

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played on July 19, 2026. The third-place match will take place one day earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 FIFA World Cup

When Does the 2026 FIFA World Cup Start?

The tournament begins on June 11, 2026.

Where Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Be Played?

The final is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey, United States.

How Many Matches Will Be Played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

A total of 104 matches will be played, making this the largest World Cup in history.

Who Are the Favorites to Win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The leading favorites are France, Argentina and Brazil, all of whom have strong and experienced squads. Other serious contenders include England, Spain, Germany and Portugal. Meanwhile, the host nations – the United States, Mexico and Canada – will be hoping to surprise football fans with a deep run in the tournament.