2026 World Cup Schedule & Key Dates — 39 Days.
104 Matches.
One Final.
From the 11 June opener in Mexico City to the 19 July final in New York — here is the complete 2026 World Cup schedule and every key date you need.
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Official Resale · HelloticketsThe 2026 World Cup Schedule & Key Dates
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs for 39 days, from the opening match on 11 June to the final on 19 July. Across that window, 48 teams will play 104 matches in 16 cities spread over three countries. Here are the dates that matter most.
The full stage-by-stage timeline
Tournament Timeline · June 11 – July 19
Fig. 01 — Key DatesGroup stage: 11–27 June
The tournament opens with 72 group-stage matches packed into just over two weeks. Each of the 48 teams plays three games. The opener takes place at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — the first stadium in history to host three different World Cup opening matches.
Knockout rounds: 28 June – 19 July
- Round of 32 — 28 June to 3 July (new stage, 16 matches)
- Round of 16 — 4 to 7 July (8 matches)
- Quarter-finals — 9 to 11 July (4 matches)
- Semi-finals — 14 & 15 July (2 matches)
- Third-place play-off — 18 July, Miami
- Final — 19 July, MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey
How kick-off times will work across time zones
With venues stretching from the Pacific coast to the eastern seaboard and down into Mexico, matches will be staggered across multiple time zones. Expect a spread of kick-offs designed to reach both North American prime time and European evening audiences — a logistical balancing act unique to a tournament this geographically vast.
More on the 2026 World Cup
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