World Cup 2026 – Full Guide to Schedule, Teams, Groups & Predictions
The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first tournament held in three countries simultaneously. A total of 48 nations compete in the first expanded-format World Cup, up from 32 at Qatar 2022, with 12 groups of four feeding into a new Round of 32 knockout bracket. Browse the full match schedule and fixtures, explore group compositions, check live standings, and review AI-driven predictions for every fixture. Find out what teams are playing and use the links below to navigate every aspect of the 2026 tournament, from opening day lineups to the final in New Jersey.
Featured Matches
Featured Teams
The Expanded 48-Team Format
The World Cup 2026 format divides 48 nations into 12 groups of four. Each team plays three group stage matches in a round-robin. The top two finishers from every group advance directly to the Round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams — meaning 32 of 48 nations continue to knockout play. From the Round of 32 onward, single elimination decides every tie: Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match, and the final. Drawn knockout fixtures go to extra time and, if needed, penalties. This expanded structure replaces the old 32-team, 8-group model and adds a Round of 32 stage that never existed before, producing 104 total games across 39 days — what many consider the most ambitious World Cup format ever assembled.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does World Cup 2026 start and end?
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Group stage matches take place through June 28, and the knockout phase begins June 29 with the Round of 32. The semifinal weekend falls on July 14–15, and the final is July 19.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
48 nations — the largest field in FIFA history, expanded from 32 at the previous tournament. Teams are drawn into 12 groups of four, and 32 of them advance to the knockout rounds.
Which countries host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The United States, Canada, and Mexico share hosting duties across 16 venues, including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, BMO Field in Toronto, and Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.