The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the most expansive and ambitious tournament in the history of football. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition of the World Cup introduces a new format, more teams, and a longer schedule. Whether you’re a passionate football fan or looking to catch your favorite national team in action, this guide offers everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup schedule, venues, host cities, and viewing options.

Overview of the 2026 World Cup

 

• • Dates: June – July 2026 (exact start and end dates to be confirmed)

• • Number of Teams: 48 (up from 32 in 2022)

• • Total Matches: 104

• • Host Countries: United States, Canada, Mexico

• • Venues: 16 stadiums across North America

• • Format: 12 groups of 4 teams, followed by a 32-team knockout stage

This tournament marks the first time the World Cup will be hosted by three countries, with games spread across 16 iconic cities.

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Host Countries and Cities

United States (11 cities)

The USA will host the majority of the matches with world-class stadiums in:

 

• • New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)

• • Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)

• • Dallas (AT&T Stadium)

• • Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

• • Houston (NRG Stadium)

• • Seattle (Lumen Field)

• • San Francisco/Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)

• • Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)

• • Boston (Gillette Stadium)

• • Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)

• • Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)

These cities are expected to host group stage, round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and possibly the final match (most likely in New York or Los Angeles).

Canada (2 cities)

 

• • Toronto (BMO Field)

• • Vancouver (BC Place)

Canada will host at least 10 group stage matches. Toronto is expected to kick off the first match for Canada’s national team.

Mexico (3 cities)

 

• • Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)

• • Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)

• • Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)

Estadio Azteca will become the first stadium in history to host three different World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).

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2026 World Cup Match Schedule Breakdown

Group Stage (June – early July 2026)

 

• • 12 groups of 4 teams

• • Each team plays 3 matches

• • Top 2 teams + best 8 third-place teams qualify for Round of 32

• • Total Matches: 72

Key match days will be spread across all 3 countries, offering an intense daily lineup of football action.

Knockout Stage (Mid-July)

Round of 32

 

• • 32 teams advance from the group stage

• • 16 matches played across North America

Round of 16

 

• • 16 teams compete for quarterfinal spots

Quarterfinals

 

• • 8 teams remain

• • Expected cities: Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Atlanta

Semifinals

 

• • Two blockbuster matches

• • Likely venues: SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) and MetLife Stadium (New York)

Final

 

• • Expected Date: Mid-July 2026

• • Probable Venue: MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) or AT&T Stadium (Dallas)

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Time Zones & Match Viewing Tips

North America’s wide time zones mean that match times will vary from Eastern Time (ET) to Pacific Time (PT). Fans watching from Europe, Asia, and Africa should prepare for early morning or late-night games.

Use IPTV services to:

 

• • Stream matches in HD and 4K

• • Access commentary in different languages

• • Avoid blackouts or geo-restrictions

• • Watch replays, highlights, and live stats

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How to Watch the 2026 World Cup Live

Whether you’re in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa, IPTV is the most convenient way to access:

 

• • beIN SPORTS

• • Fox Sports (USA)

• • TSN & Sportsnet (Canada)

• • TelevisaUnivision (Mexico)

Premium IPTV packages give you all the matches with no lag or buffering.

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Ticket Info and Fan Experience

Tickets will be sold in stages via FIFA.com. Fans can expect:

 

• • Mobile ticketing

• • Fan zones in host cities

• • Accommodation packages

• • Official World Cup merchandise

FIFA will also launch a « Follow Your Team » pass, allowing fans to travel with their national teams throughout the tournament.