The world’s most popular sports tournament is on the horizon — and it’s about to get bigger.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to three North American countries this summer, where 48 teams will duke it out in the tournament for the first time. It’s an increase from the previous 32-team field.
It’ll mark the second time a men’s World Cup is taking place across multiple countries, as 2002 saw games in both South Korea and Japan. It won’t be the last, either, as the 2030 World Cup is set to feature six host nations spanning different continents for its 100th anniversary.
Here’s a full guide for the 2026 World Cup, from dates, the schedule, how to watch and more:
Roger Bennett previewed his new book “We Are The World (Cup),” talked about on his favorite World Cup memories and predicted the world champion.
When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 tournament will run from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19.
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 tournament will be held across three North American countries: the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
2026 FIFA World Cup countries and groups
Group A
- Mexico
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Winner UEFA Playoff D (Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland)
Andres Cantor, commentator for Telemundo Deportes, explained how he sees the outlook for “El Tri” after the World Cup draw.
Group B
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Qatar
- Winner UEFA Playoff A (Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Haiti
Group D
- United States
- Australia
- Paraguay
- Winner UEFA Playoff C (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
Group E
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Curaçao
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- Winner UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania)
Group G
- Belgium
- Iran
- Egypt
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Saudi Arabia
- Cabo Verde
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Winner FIFA Playoff 2 (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq)
Group J
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- Winner FIFA Playoff 1 (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Panama
- Ghana
Learn about the World Cup’s most exciting and dramatic group drawing, the Group of Death.
What is the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule?
The group stage will run from the start of the tournament on June 11 to June 27, with the round of 32 beginning on June 28 and the round of 16 starting July 4. The quarterfinals will begin on July 9, and the semifinals will be July 14 and July 15, and it will all come to a close with the final on July 19.
The full game-by-game schedule is here.
Which cities will host 2026 FIFA World Cup games?
Sixteen cities will host games across the three countries, with 11 in the U.S.: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco/Bay Area and Seattle.
Mexico will see games in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, while Vancouver and Toronto are the two Canadian hosts.
MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets, will host the final. See every game each city is hosting here.
Telemundo Deportes’ Andres Cantor breaks down the USMNT’s chances in Group D after the FIFA World Cup draw.
What is the USMNT’s schedule at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The U.S. men’s national team, seeking its first World Cup triumph, will play Australia, Paraguay and a UEFA playoff winner to be determined in the group stage. Here’s the game-by-game look:
- Match 1: Friday, June 12 – USMNT vs. Paraguay, Los Angeles, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
- Match 2: Friday, June 19 – USMNT vs. Australia, Seattle, 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT
- Match 3: Thursday, June 25 – USMNT vs. Winner UEFA Playoff C, Los Angeles, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
How to watch the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.
FOX will broadcast and stream every World Cup game in the U.S. across its channels and platforms. Telemundo and Peacock will broadcast and stream games in Spanish.
Andres Cantor picks his teams to look out for at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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