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.
Most teams are still listed as TBD since the final draw is set for December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. I’ve highlighted the host nations’ matches to get you hyped for their opening games! 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), A2, A3, A4
- Group B – Canada (H), B2, B3, B4
- Group C – C1, C2, C3, C4
- Group D – United States (H), D2, D3, D4
- Group E – E1, E2, E3, E4
- Group F – F1, F2, F3, F4
- Group G – G1, G2, G3, G4
- Group H – H1, H2, H3, H4
- Group I – I1, I2, I3, I4
- Group J – J1, J2, J3, J4
- Group K – K1, K2, K3, K4
- Group L – L1, L2, L3, L4
All times are TBD, but I’ll update this on fifaworldcupnews.com as more details drop.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Match 1: Mexico vs. TBD (Group A) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Match 2: TBD vs. TBD (Group A) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Friday, June 12, 2026
- Match 3: Canada vs. TBD (Group B) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 4: USA vs. TBD (Group D) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Match 5: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 6: TBD vs. TBD (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: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 10: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 11: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 12: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Monday, June 15, 2026
- Match 13: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 14: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 15: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 16: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – Lumen Field, Seattle
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
- Match 17: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 18: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 19: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 20: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Match 21: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 22: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 23: TBD vs. TBD (Group K) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 24: TBD vs. TBD (Group K) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Match 25: TBD vs. TBD (Group A) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 26: TBD vs. TBD (Group B) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 27: Canada vs. TBD (Group B) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 28: Mexico vs. TBD (Group A) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Friday, June 19, 2026
- Match 29: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 30: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 31: TBD vs. TBD (Group D) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
- Match 32: USA vs. TBD (Group D) – Lumen Field, Seattle
Saturday, June 20, 2026
- Match 33: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 34: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 35: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 36: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Sunday, June 21, 2026
- Match 37: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 38: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Match 39: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 40: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – BC Place, Vancouver
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Match 41: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 42: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 43: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 44: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Match 45: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 46: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 47: TBD vs. TBD (Group K) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 48: TBD vs. TBD (Group K) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Match 49: TBD vs. Mexico (Group A) – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Match 50: TBD vs. TBD (Group A) – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
- Match 51: TBD vs. Canada (Group B) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 52: TBD vs. TBD (Group B) – Lumen Field, Seattle
- Match 53: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 54: TBD vs. TBD (Group C) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Match 55: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 56: TBD vs. TBD (Group E) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 57: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 58: TBD vs. TBD (Group F) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 59: TBD vs. USA (Group D) – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- Match 60: TBD vs. TBD (Group D) – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area
Friday, June 26, 2026
- Match 61: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Match 62: TBD vs. TBD (Group I) – BMO Field, Toronto
- Match 63: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – Lumen Field, Seattle
- Match 64: TBD vs. TBD (Group G) – BC Place, Vancouver
- Match 65: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – NRG Stadium, Houston
- Match 66: TBD vs. TBD (Group H) – Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Saturday, June 27, 2026
- Match 67: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
- Match 68: TBD vs. TBD (Group L) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Match 69: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Match 70: TBD vs. TBD (Group J) – AT&T Stadium, Dallas
- Match 71: TBD vs. TBD (Group K) – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
- Match 72: TBD vs. TBD (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!
