2026 FIFA World Cup: Everything about venues, dates, times, teams, and more

The arrival of the 2026 World Cup agenda, or at least its foundational “shell,” has been introduced. On Sunday, FIFA disclosed critical information concerning places, dates, and venues for the event across 16 North American towns and stadiums. This revelation signals the start of preparations for an extraordinary spectacle.

However, the schedule appears to be remarkably intricate, surpassing the complexity of any preceding World Cup agenda. Hundreds of important additives are nevertheless missing, and a few might not be finalised until after the 2026 World Cup draw, which is probably to occur in December 2025.

Here’s what we currently understand and what remains unknown about the 2026 agenda, together with insights into the rationale and procedures behind its development.

What we know about the 2026 World Cup schedule is:

The event will start on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and could culminate on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Details concerning the semifinals (Atlanta and Arlington, Texas), quarterfinals (Miami, Kansas City, Inglewood, California, and Foxborough, Massachusetts), and others are to be had. Additionally, we understand that 78 out of the 104 fits can be held inside the U.S., with 13 each in Canada and Mexico.

Apart from the three host international locations, groups will not be assigned to towns until December 2025, following the maximum or all of the qualification rounds.

Kickoff instances can also be decided by putting up the draw.

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When and where will the 2026 World Cup start?

The tournament will start on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with two matches in Mexico.

Canada will play its opening game on Friday, June 12, at BMO Field in Toronto, while the USA will play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Will there be enough rest for the players?

While the term “enough” is subjective, gamers are anticipated to acquire more relaxation as compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Each group must have at least 4 days among their first and 2nd fits and either three or 4 days between their 2nd and 0.33 fits.

What about travel logistics?

Travel across North America will pose full-size challenges due to the sizeable distances involved.

To cope with this, FIFA has labeled the 16 host towns into three areas, or “clusters,” to minimize travel for groups and enthusiasts at some point in the institution stage.

Are the knockout-round pairings known?

The traditional launch of a color-coded grid detailing matchups, dates, and venues has not yet passed off for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA intends to release an agenda grid later within the year, with minor deviations from preceding practices.

What about kick-off times?

Kickoff times remain unsure and may be determined by the draw.

The scheduling technique is complex because it involves accommodating global TV audiences and varied time zones while also thinking about local preferences and situations.

In summary, the 2026 World Cup agenda represents a huge mission, requiring meticulous planning and coordination across multiple stakeholders to ensure a successful and memorable event experience.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the host cities and stadiums for the 2026 World Cup matches:

United States:

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium: 8 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16, 1 semifinal)

Boston — Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts: 7 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 quarterfinal)

Dallas — AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas: 9 matches (5 group stage, 2 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16, 1 semifinal)

Houston — NRG Stadium: 7 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium: 6 matches (4 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 quarterfinal)

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California: 8 matches (5 group stage, 2 Round of 32, 1 quarterfinal)

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida: 7 matches (4 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 quarterfinal, third-place match)

New York — MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey: 8 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16 final)

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field: 6 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 16)

San Francisco —Levin’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California: 6 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32)

Seattle — Lumen Field: 6 matches (4 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16)

Canada:

Toronto — BMO Field: 6 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32)

Vancouver, BC Place: 7 matches (5 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16)

Mexico:

Guadalajara — Estadio Akron in Zapopan: 4 matches (4 group stage)

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca: 5 matches (3 group stage, 1 Round of 32, 1 Round of 16)

Monterrey — Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe: 4 matches (3 group stage, 1 Round of 32)

Here is the complete schedule for the 2026 World Cup, day by day:

Thursday, June 11

2 group stage games

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca

Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (Zapopan, Mexico)

Friday, June 12

2 group stage games

Toronto — BMO Field

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Saturday, June 13

4 group stage games

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Vancouver — BC Place

San Francisco —Levin’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Sunday, June 14

4 group stage games

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

Houston — NRG Stadium

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe, Mexico)

Monday, June 15

4 group stage games

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Tuesday, June 16

4 group stage games

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

San Francisco —Levin’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Wednesday, June 17

4 group stage games

Toronto — BMO Field

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Houston — NRG Stadium

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca

Thursday, June 18

4 group stage games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (Zapopan, Mexico)

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Vancouver — BC Place

Friday, June 19

4 group stage games

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

San Francisco — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Saturday, June 20

4 group stage games

Toronto — BMO Field

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

Houston — NRG Stadium

Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe, Mexico)

Sunday, June 21

4 group stage games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Vancouver — BC Place

Monday, June 22

4 group stage games

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

San Francisco — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Tuesday, June 23

4 group stage games

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Toronto — BMO Field

Houston — NRG Stadium

Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (Zapopan, Mexico)

Wednesday, June 24

6 group stage games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca

Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe, Mexico)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Vancouver — BC Place

Thursday, June 25

6 group stage games

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

San Francisco — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Friday, June 26

6 group stage games

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Toronto — BMO Field

Houston — NRG Stadium

Guadalajara — Estadio Akron (Zapopan, Mexico)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Vancouver — BC Place

Saturday, June 27

6 group stage games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

Sunday, June 28

1 Round of 32 game

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Monday, June 29

3 Round of 32 games

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Houston — NRG Stadium

Monterrey — Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe, Mexico)

Tuesday, June 30

3 Round of 32 games

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca

Wednesday, July 1

3 Round of 32 games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

San Francisco — Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Thursday, July 2

3 Round of 32 games

Toronto — BMO Field

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Vancouver — BC Place

Friday, July 3

3 Round of 32 games

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

Saturday, July 4

2 Round of 16 games

Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field

Houston — NRG Stadium

Sunday, July 5

2 Round of 16 games

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

Mexico City — Estadio Azteca

Monday, July 6

2 Round of 16 games

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Seattle — Lumen Field

Tuesday, July 7

2 Round of 16 games

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Vancouver — BC Place

Thursday, July 9

1 quarterfinal

Boston — Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Friday, July 10

1 quarterfinal

Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)

Saturday, July 11

2 quarterfinals

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium

Tuesday, July 14

Semifinal

Dallas — AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Tex.)

Wednesday, July 15

Semifinal

Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Saturday, July 18

Third-place game

Miami — Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Sunday, July 19

Final

New York — MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)

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