The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 104 matches played across 16 cities in three countries. Here's a complete overview of the schedule, with the key dates and matches to watch.

## Group Stage (June 11-27)

The group stage runs for 16 days, with three or four matches per day. The opening match is on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Mexico facing South Africa.

**Key group stage dates**:
- June 11: Opening match (Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca)
- June 12-15: First matchday of group stage
- June 16-19: Second matchday
- June 20-23: Third matchday
- June 24-27: Final matchday

## Round of 32 (June 28 - July 3)

The round of 32 is the new stage introduced with the 48-team format. 16 matches are played over six days, with the winners advancing to the round of 16.

**Key round of 32 dates**:
- June 28 - July 1: Round of 32 matches
- July 2-3: Final round of 32 matches

## Round of 16 (July 4-7)

The round of 16 features 8 matches over four days. The winners advance to the quarter-finals.

## Quarter-finals (July 8-11)

The quarter-finals feature 4 matches over four days. The winners advance to the semi-finals.

## Semi-finals (July 14-15)

The semi-finals feature 2 matches over two days. The winners advance to the final.

**Key semi-final dates**:
- July 14: First semi-final
- July 15: Second semi-final

## Third-place Match (July 18)

The third-place match is played between the two semi-final losers. The match is traditionally seen as a consolation but is competitive in its own right.

## Final (July 19)

The final is played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM ET and is expected to attract a global television audience of more than 2 billion viewers.

## Where to Watch

The 2026 World Cup will be broadcast globally, with TV and streaming options in every major market. In the USA, Fox Sports holds the English-language rights and Telemundo holds the Spanish-language rights. In Canada, Bell Media and TVA Sports hold the rights. In Mexico, Televisa holds the rights.

## Tickets

Tickets for the 2026 World Cup are available through the FIFA ticketing portal, with prices ranging from $60 for category 4 group stage matches to $7,000+ for category 1 final matches. Hospitality packages are available for corporate buyers.

## Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup schedule is the most ambitious in tournament history, with 104 matches over 39 days. The key dates to watch are the opening match on June 11, the first knockout round on June 28, the semi-finals on July 14-15, and the final on July 19.