FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Schedule: Fixtures, Dates, Venues And Match Timings

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will start on June 11 and run till July 19 across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Argentina arrive as defending champions, while 47 other teams chase the trophy. This edition will feature 104 matches in 39 days, making it the longest tournament yet.

For the first time, 48 nations will compete instead of the previous 32. Africa now has 10 spots and Asia has 9, while Europe sends 16 teams and South America 6. The event will test squad depth and travel planning, with fixtures spread across several North American cities.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: format, groups and host nations

The opening match will feature Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City at 12:30 AM IST on June 12. Co-hosts USA and Canada also join from the first round, with USA playing Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 13 and Canada facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto the same day.

Teams are divided into 12 groups, labelled Group A to Group L. Each group contains four nations, and every side will play three group matches. The top two from each group and eight best third-placed teams will move into the round of 32, which starts on June 29.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: complete group line-up

Traditional powers and emerging teams share the group stage. Mexico are drawn in Group A with South Africa, Republic of Korea and Czechia. Canada lead Group B alongside Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Brazil head Group C with Morocco, Scotland and Haiti, while the USA are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.

Group E includes Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. Group F features Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand contest Group G. Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde form Group H. Group I has France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq, and Group J pairs Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan.

Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan are placed in Group K. England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama make up Group L. These combinations ensure that every confederation has strong representation, and many fixtures will carry qualification pressure from the opening week.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: all group-stage fixtures and IST timings

The full list of group matches, with Indian Standard Time and venues, is given below. Fans in India will note several fixtures scheduled overnight and early morning, reflecting the time difference with North America.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: knockouts from round of 32 to final

After the group stage ends, the tournament moves into a new extended knockout phase. The round of 32, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off and final all feature single-leg games with extra time and penalties if needed.

With 104 fixtures spread from June 11 to July 19 across three host nations, the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule offers near daily football. Group games, the new round of 32 and the final in New Jersey together create a packed calendar for fans in India and worldwide.