World Cup 2026 Schedule: Dates, Format, and How the 48-Team Tournament Works
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history, with 48 teams competing across three countries. The expanded format means more matches, more drama, and more opportunities for smaller nations to make their mark. Here is everything you need to know about the schedule and format.
Key dates
Opening match: June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City. The host nation Mexico will play the opening match, continuing the tradition of the host playing first. Group stage: June 11 - June 29. Round of 32: July 1-4. Round of 16: July 5-8. Quarter-finals: July 10-11. Semi-finals: July 14-15. Third-place match: July 18. Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey.
The new format
48 teams are divided into 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 group matches. The top 2 from each group (24 teams) plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. From there, it is a straight knockout tournament to the final. The total number of matches is 104, up from 64 in the 32-team format.
Time zones
The tournament spans 4 time zones, from Eastern (New York, Miami) to Pacific (Los Angeles, Seattle). Most matches will kick off between 1 PM and 9 PM local time, which means European viewers will watch games from early evening to late night. Asian viewers will have early morning kick-offs for East Coast matches.
How to get tickets
FIFA will release tickets in several phases through their official website. The first phase is a random draw, followed by first-come-first-served sales. Prices range from $35 for group stage matches to $600+ for the final. Demand will be enormous — the 2026 World Cup is expected to be the most-attended sporting event in history.