For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the World Cup has expanded to welcome 48 teams, unleashing a wave of excitement and anticipation across North America. Kicking off on June 11, 2026, the group stage will unfold over 17 action-packed days ending on June 27 and will showcase thrilling matchups across 16 major cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With 12 groups of four teams each, every squad is guaranteed three high-stakes games, and the venues are nothing short of iconic. From the hallowed turf of Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the roaring crowds at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and BMO Field in Toronto, the group stage of the World Cup promises a spectacular display of global football talent across an unparalleled geographic spread.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group Stage Matches
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be an absolute blockbuster, and I’m beyond excited to share the group stage fixtures with you.
As someone who lives for the roar of the crowd and the thrill of a last-minute goal, I’ve poured my heart into breaking down the schedule for this historic tournament. Hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, this World Cup is bigger than ever with 48 teams and 104 matches.
So, grab a snack, settle in, and let’s dive into the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage fixtures that’ll kick off this epic football fiesta from June 11 to June 27, 2026.
Before we get to the FIFA matches, let’s set the stage. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a game-changer with 12 groups of four teams each, playing a total of 72 group stage matches across 16 cities.
The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32. The hosts, Mexico, Canada, and the USA, are already locked into Groups A, B, and D, respectively, and their matches are some of the most anticipated.
2026 FIFA World Cup group stage fixtures
Ready to see where and when the action unfolds? Here are the full 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage fixtures, based on the latest FIFA announcements.
Below is the complete group stage schedule, with dates, match numbers, venues, cities, and confirmed teams where available.
All the teams have placed at the group table but few teams still in qualification process. The final draw heal was December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
After group draw pots FIFA is preparing volunteer recruitment, Fan Zones, and other remaining activities before the final draw.
Qualified Teams for Group Stage
- Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Africa CAF): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Europe (UEFA): Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
- Oceania (OFA): New Zealand
- South America’s (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- North, Central America and Caribbean(CONCACAF): Curacao, Panama, Haiti
- Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico and USA
What are the group stage pots for the 2026 World Cup draw?
- Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
- Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
- Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
- Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A, B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2
Group
- Group A – Mexico (H), South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Path D
- Group B – Canada (Host), UEFA Path A winner, Qatar, Switzerland
- Group C – Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- Group D – USA (Host), Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Path C winner
- Group E – Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- Group F – Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Path B winner, Tunisia
- Group G – Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- Group H – Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- Group I – France, Senegal, IC Path 2 winner, Norway
- Group J – Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- Group K – Portugal, IC Path 1 winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- Group L – England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
All times are TBD, but I’ll update this on fifaworldcupnews.com as more details drop.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Match 1: Mexico vs South Africa (Group A) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Match 2: South Korea vs UEFA Path D winner (Group A) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Friday, June 12, 2026
- Match 3: Canada vs UEFA Path A winner (Group B) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 4: USA vs Paraguay (Group D) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Match 5: Brazil vs Morocco (Group C) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 6: Australia vs UEFA Path C winner (Group D) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 7: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 8: TBD vs. TBD (Group B) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- Match 9: Germany vs Curaçao (Group E) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 10: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (Group E) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 11: Netherlands vs Japan (Group F) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 12: UEFA Path B winner vs Tunisia (Group F) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Monday, June 15, 2026
- Match 13: Spain Match vs Cape Verde (Group H) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 14: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Group H) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 15: Belgium vs Egypt (Group G) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 16: Iran Match vs New Zealand (Group G) – Lumen Field, Seattle
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- Match 17: France vs Senegal (Group I) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 18: IC Path 2 winner vs Norway (Group I) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 19: Argentina vs Algeria (Group J) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 20: Austria vs Jordan (Group J) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Match 21: England vs Croatia (Group L) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 22: Ghana vs Panama (Group L) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 23: Portugal vs IC Path 1 winner (Group K) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 24: Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Group K) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Match 25: UEFA Path D winner vs South Africa (Group A) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 26: Switzerland vs UEFA Path A winner (Group B) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 27: Canada vs Qatar (Group B) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 28: Mexico vs South Korea (Group A) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Friday, June 19, 2026
- Match 29: Brazil vs Haiti (Group C) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 30: Scotland vs Morocco (Group C) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 31: UEFA Path C winner vs Paraguay (Group D) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
- Match 32: USA vs Australia (Group D) – Lumen Field, Seattle
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Match 33: Germany vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 34: Ecuador vs Curaçao (Group E) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 35: Netherlands vs UEFA Path B winner (Group F) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 36: Tunisia vs Japan (Group F) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Match 37: Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Group H) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 38: Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Group H) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 39: Belgium vs Iran (Group G) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 40: New Zealand vs Egypt (Group G) – BC Place, Vancouver
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Match 41: France vs IC Path 2 winner (Group I) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 42: Norway vs Senegal (Group I) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 43: Argentina vs Austria (Group J) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 44: Jordan vs Algeria (Group J) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Match 45: England vs Ghana (Group L) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 46: Panama vs Croatia (Group L) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 47: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 48: Colombia vs IC Path 1 winner (Group K) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Match 49: Scotland vs Brazil (Group C) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 50: Morocco vs Haiti (Group C) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 51: Switzerland vs Canada (Group B) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 52: UEFA Path A winner vs Qatar (Group B) – Lumen Field, Seattle
- Match 53: UEFA Path D winner vs Mexico (Group A) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Match 54: South Africa vs South Korea (Group A) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Match 55: Ecuador vs Germany (Group E) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 56: Curaçao vs Ivory Coast (Group E) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 57: Tunisia vs Netherlands (Group F) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 58: Japan Match vs UEFA Path B winner (Group F) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 59: UEFA Path C winner vs USA (Group D) – SoFi Stadium, LA
- Match 60: Paraguay vs Australia (Group D) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
Friday, June 26, 2026
- Match 61: Norway vs France (Group I) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 62: Senegal vs winner (Group I) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 63: New Zealand vs Belgium (Group G) – Lumen Field, Seattle
- Match 64: Egypt vs Iran (Group G) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 65: Uruguay vs Spain (Group H) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 66: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Group H) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Match 67: Panama vs England (Group L) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 68: Croatia vs Ghana (Group L) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 69: Jordan vs Argentina (Group J) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 70: Algeria vs Austria (Group J) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 71: Colombia vs Portugal (Group K) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 72: IC Path 1 winner vs Uzbekistan (Group K) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
As a football nut, I’m buzzing about this FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule. The opening matches featuring Mexico, Canada, and the USA are going to set the tone for the tournament.
Estadio Azteca’s history, BMO Field’s intimate vibe, and SoFi Stadium’s grandeur will make these games unforgettable. Plus, with 12 groups and the top third-placed teams advancing, every match counts.
Will we see a dark horse like Uzbekistan or Jordan make waves? I can’t wait to find out.
Once the group stage ends on June 27, the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams move to the Round of 32 (June 28–July 3).
From there, it’s a straight 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout path through the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
The expanded format brings more opportunities for upsets, additional sponsors, increased revenue from World Cup tickets, Visa, and hospitality. Get ready for some wild moments!
