The 2026 FIFA World Cup Is Here: Schedule, Teams and How to Watch as Football’s Biggest Show Kicks Off June 11
The largest World Cup ever — 48 teams, 104 matches, three host nations — opens this Thursday. Here’s your complete guide to the dates, the USMNT’s path, the host cities, and every way to catch the action.
After four years of build-up, the wait is finally over. On Thursday, June 11, the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico City — and for the first time in tournament history, three countries are sharing hosting duties. The United States, Canada and Mexico will stage 104 matches across 39 days, ending with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
This is not your usual World Cup. The field has expanded from 32 teams to 48, the most ever, which means more nations, more debutants and more drama than any previous edition. If you’re trying to figure out when the games start, where they’re being played, and how to watch from your couch, here’s everything you need to know before kickoff.
The biggest World Cup in history
The expansion to 48 teams reshapes almost everything about the tournament. There are now 12 groups of four, and a new knockout structure that runs through a Round of 32 for the first time. Organizers also redesigned the bracket so the two highest-ranked teams can’t meet before the final — meaning top seeds Spain and defending champions Argentina sit on opposite sides of the draw, as do France and England.
The United States is hosting the bulk of it: 78 of the 104 matches will be played across 11 American cities, with Canada and Mexico staging 13 each. It’s the first time the U.S. has hosted the men’s World Cup since 1994.
Tournament at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 11 – July 19, 2026 (39 days) |
| Host nations | United States, Canada & Mexico — the first three-country World Cup |
| Teams | 48 (expanded from 32) |
| Matches | 104 |
| Host cities | 16 (11 in the U.S., 3 in Mexico, 2 in Canada) |
| Opening match | Mexico vs. South Africa — Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Final | July 19 — MetLife Stadium (“New York New Jersey Stadium”), East Rutherford, NJ |
| Defending champions | Argentina |
| Top-ranked side | Spain |
The opening match and the road to the final
Tradition holds that a host nation plays the opener, and that honor goes to Mexico, who face South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11 at 3 p.m. ET. It’s a historic moment for the venue: Mexico City becomes the first city ever to host World Cup matches across three different tournaments, after 1970 and 1986.
From there, the group stage rolls out across all three countries before the knockout rounds begin. The tournament builds to its conclusion at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the final will be played on Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m. ET. Note that FIFA has temporarily renamed several venues for the tournament to limit ambush marketing — MetLife is officially the “New York New Jersey Stadium,” and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles becomes the “Los Angeles Stadium.”
USMNT: the USA’s path in Group D
Mauricio Pochettino’s United States squad — led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams — landed in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. The team will base itself in Irvine, California, at the Orange County Great Park throughout the group stage. Here’s the schedule:
| Date | Match | Venue | Kickoff (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jun 12 | USA vs. Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi), Inglewood | 9:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jun 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) | 3:00 p.m. |
| Thu, Jun 25 | USA vs. Türkiye | Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi), Inglewood | 10:00 p.m. |
The stars and storylines to watch
This could be a farewell tour for two of the game’s greatest-ever players. Lionel Messi begins his sixth World Cup campaign with defending champions Argentina, opening against Algeria in Kansas City, while Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal in what is widely expected to be his final tournament. Add Kylian Mbappé (France), Harry Kane (England) and a new wave of stars like Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Türkiye’s Arda Güler, and the talent on display is staggering.
There’s history in the smaller stories, too. Curaçao becomes the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup, while Cape Verde and Jordan are making their tournament debuts — a direct result of the expanded 48-team format opening the door to new countries.
How to watch the World Cup 2026 in the U.S.
Every one of the 104 matches will be broadcast in the United States, with English-language coverage on FOX and FS1 and Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Universo.
| Platform | What you get | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FOX | 70 matches, including every USMNT group game and the final | Free over-the-air |
| FS1 | 34 matches, mostly group stage | Cable / satellite |
| FOX One / FOX Sports app | All 104 matches, live and on-demand | $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr; can be added via Prime Video |
| Tubi | The opening match (Mexico vs. South Africa) | Free stream |
| Telemundo / Universo | Full Spanish-language coverage | — |
The 16 host cities
The tournament spans nearly 3,000 miles and three time zones’ worth of geography. The host cities are:
| Country | Host cities |
|---|---|
| United States (11) | Atlanta, Boston (Foxborough), Dallas (Arlington), Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Inglewood), Miami, New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford), Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), Seattle |
| Mexico (3) | Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey |
| Canada (2) | Toronto, Vancouver |
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The tournament opens on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. It runs for 39 days, concluding with the final on July 19.
Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?
Across 16 cities in three countries — 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. It’s the first World Cup ever co-hosted by three nations.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 teams — the largest field in World Cup history, up from 32. They’ll play a total of 104 matches.
When does the USMNT play?
The U.S. men’s national team plays Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and Türkiye on June 25 in Group D.
How can I watch the World Cup in the U.S.?
FOX and FS1 air all 104 matches in English; stream every game on FOX One or the FOX Sports app. The opening match is free on Tubi, and Telemundo carries Spanish-language coverage.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final?
At MetLife Stadium (officially the “New York New Jersey Stadium” for the tournament) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19 at 3 p.m. ET.
Reporting compiled from FIFA, FOX Sports, ESPN, NPR, Al Jazeera and NBC Sports coverage (June 2026). Schedules and kickoff times are subject to change by FIFA.
