The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage schedule is officially set. 48 nations split across 12 groups, labeled A through L, will compete from June 11 to 27, with co-host Mexico kicking things off against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on opening day. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a newly created Round of 32.
The expanded format is a first. This is the largest World Cup ever, jumping from 32 teams to 48 and from 64 matches to 104, spread across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over 39 days. The U.S. opens June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while Canada begins the same day against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
The Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host three World Cup openings, after 1970 and 1986. The tournament concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The schedule was unveiled in a livestream featuring Kevin Hart, Drake, and Kim Kardashian.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports, USA Today.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage schedule is officially set. 48 nations split across 12 groups, labeled A through L, will compete from June 11 to 27, with co-host Mexico kicking things off against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on opening day. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a newly created Round of 32.
The expanded format is a first. This is the largest World Cup ever, jumping from 32 teams to 48 and from 64 matches to 104, spread across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico over 39 days. The U.S. opens June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, while Canada begins the same day against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto.
The Azteca becomes the first stadium in history to host three World Cup openings, after 1970 and 1986. The tournament concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The schedule was unveiled in a livestream featuring Kevin Hart, Drake, and Kim Kardashian.
Sources: ESPN, NBC Sports, USA Today.