UPDATE: The highly anticipated schedule for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has just been released, confirming 104 matches across 11 U.S. cities, alongside venues in Canada and Mexico. Starting next summer, soccer fans worldwide are gearing up for what promises to be the largest World Cup in history.
FIFA officially announced the schedule on Saturday, detailing that the tournament will kick off on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, where co-host Mexico will face South Africa. The action then shifts to the USA, as the host nation begins its journey on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The U.S. will host a staggering 78 games, including all quarterfinals, across cities like New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Miami. The final match will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicking off at 3 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2026, ensuring prime-time viewing for global audiences.
The excitement continues as the tournament’s group stage will feature 48 teams, including Team USA, which will compete in three group matches. Their opponents are set as Australia and Paraguay, with a playoff winner yet to be determined among contenders like Turkey and Slovakia.
The full group stage schedule runs until June 27, with notable matches including Brazil vs. Morocco in New York on June 13 and England vs. Ghana in Boston on June 23.
FIFA’s chief tournament officer, Manolo Zubiria, emphasized the extensive planning involved, stating, “It’s been a long night — or a short night. We’ve tried to strike the right balance looking at the preparation and recovery that teams have to do in this very large footprint,” referring to the unprecedented scale of this World Cup across three countries and multiple time zones.
As the world anticipates the tournament, fans will need to stay tuned for final qualification details, with playoff matches scheduled for March 2026. The excitement is palpable, and the stage is set for a summer of thrilling soccer action.
For full details on the schedule and specific match times, fans can visit FIFA’s official website.
