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.)