Tournament Schedule

104 matches over 39 days - Thursday, June 11, 2026 to Sunday, July 19, 2026

Group Stage

72 matches

48 teams in 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 matches. Top 2 from each group and 8 best third-placed teams advance.

Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Saturday, June 27, 2026
Thu, Jun 11
Opening Day - Group A Matchday 1
Fri, Jun 12
Group B & D Matchday 1
Sat, Jun 13
Group C & G Matchday 1
Sun, Jun 14
Group E & F Matchday 1
Mon, Jun 15
Group H, I & L Matchday 1
Tue, Jun 16
Group J & K Matchday 1, Group A Matchday 2
Wed, Jun 17
Group B & D Matchday 2
Thu, Jun 18
Group C & G Matchday 2
Fri, Jun 19
Group E & F Matchday 2
Sat, Jun 20
Group H, I & L Matchday 2
Sun, Jun 21
Group A, J & K Matchday 2/3
Mon, Jun 22
Group B & D Matchday 3
Tue, Jun 23
Rest Day
Wed, Jun 24
Group C & G Matchday 3
Thu, Jun 25
Group E, F & H Matchday 3
Fri, Jun 26
Group I & J Matchday 3
Sat, Jun 27
Group K & L Matchday 3

Round of 32

16 matches

32 teams compete in single-elimination knockout matches. Winners advance to the Round of 16.

Sunday, June 28, 2026 - Friday, July 3, 2026

Round of 16

8 matches

16 remaining teams play single-elimination matches. Winners advance to the Quarter-finals.

Saturday, July 4, 2026 - Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Quarter-finals

4 matches

8 remaining teams compete for a place in the Semi-finals.

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - Saturday, July 11, 2026

Semi-finals

2 matches

4 remaining teams battle for a spot in the Final.

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Third-place Match

1 match

The two semi-final losers compete for third place.

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Final

1 match

The championship match to determine the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner.

Sunday, July 19, 2026MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Key Dates

opening Ceremony
Thursday, June 11, 2026
opening Match
Thursday, June 11, 2026
group Stage End
Saturday, June 27, 2026
knockout Stage Start
Sunday, June 28, 2026
final
Sunday, July 19, 2026