2026 World Cup: Complete Schedule and Key Dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition in history, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches played across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament begins June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition in history. It will bring together 48 national teams and will have 104 matches. Additionally, it will be played in 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The tournament will begin on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The opening match will be between Mexico and South Africa, according to the official FIFA schedule. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
This World Cup will mark the tournament’s return to North America 32 years after the United States 1994. It will also be the first World Cup organized by 3 countries. Argentina will arrive as the defending champion after winning in 2022.
What will the new World Cup format look like?
The new format establishes 12 groups of 4 national teams. The first phase will have 72 matches and will extend the overall duration of the tournament. According to FIFA, the change seeks sporting balance and more matches for all national teams.
The top 2 teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16. The 8 best third-place teams will also advance, completing a field of 32 teams. This design creates a longer and more demanding knockout phase.
Teams that reach the final will have to play 8 matches. That means 1 more match than in Qatar 2022. The physical demands will be greater and squad management will be decisive.
Canal oficial
Únete a nuestro canal de WhatsApp
Recibe las noticias más importantes al instante, sin spam. Solo lo que importa, cuando importa.
Autor
Anthony AstonitasDesarrollador de Software 12 años de experiencia