The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition of the tournament ever, featuring 48 national teams, hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Running from June 11 to July 19, 2026, this event promises to be a historic celebration of football, with more matches, more venues, and more ways for fans to watch every moment live.
This guide covers the complete World Cup 2026 schedule, host cities, matchdays, and official broadcasting channels where fans can enjoy live coverage around the world. Whether you are watching on TV, streaming online, or attending matches in person, this article brings you every detail you need.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
The official match schedule was confirmed with exact dates for group stages, round of 32, and knockout stages. Below is the tournament timeline:
Group Stage
- Matchday 1: June 11 – 17, 2026
- Matchday 2: June 18 – 23, 2026
- Matchday 3: June 24 – 27, 2026
Knockout Stage
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026
- Round of 16: July 4 – 7, 2026
- Quarterfinals: July 9 – 11, 2026
- Semifinals: July 14 – 15, 2026
- Third Place Playoff: July 18, 2026
- Final: July 19, 2026 (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group Stage & Knockouts
Quickly switch groups, scan standings, and tap fixtures. Works great on mobile.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Note |
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Overview of FIFA World Cup 2026
- Tournament edition: 23rd FIFA World Cup
- Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Hosts: United States, Canada, Mexico
- Teams: 48 national teams
- Venues: 16 stadiums across North America
- Defending Champion: Argentina (2022)
This edition is historic as it will be the first World Cup hosted by three countries and the first with an expanded 48-team format, giving more nations the chance to participate on football’s biggest stage.
Host Nations and Stadiums
The World Cup will be staged across 16 world-class stadiums spread across North America. Each host country has been assigned opening matches and group stage games, while the United States will host the majority of knockout matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
List of Key Venues
| Host Country | Stadium | City | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | 87,000 | Opening match on June 11 |
| Mexico | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | 53,000 | Group stage |
| Mexico | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | 48,000 | Group stage |
| Canada | BMO Field | Toronto | 45,000 (expanded) | Canada’s opening match |
| Canada | BC Place | Vancouver | 54,500 | Group + knockout |
| USA | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | 70,000+ | USA’s opening game |
| USA | AT&T Stadium | Dallas | 80,000+ | Hosts 9 matches |
| USA | MetLife Stadium | New Jersey | 82,500 | Final on July 19 |
| USA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | 71,000 | Knockout stage |
| USA | NRG Stadium | Houston | 72,000 | Group stage |
| USA | Levi’s Stadium | San Francisco | 68,500 | Western region |
| USA | Gillette Stadium | Boston | 65,000 | Eastern region |
| USA | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | 69,000 | Group stage |
| USA | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | 76,000 | Central region |
| USA | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | 65,000 | Knockout rounds |
| USA | Lumen Field | Seattle | 68,000 | Western region |
Regional Hosting Zones
To reduce travel for teams and fans, FIFA has divided the venues into three regions:
- Western Region: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles
- Central Region: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City
- Eastern Region: Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey
Each region will host multiple groups, ensuring that travel distances are minimized during the group stage.
Opening Matches
- Mexico: June 11, 2026 – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Canada: June 12, 2026 – BMO Field, Toronto
- United States: June 12, 2026 – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Every host country is guaranteed to play its group stage matches at home, creating massive local excitement.
Expansion to 48 Teams
The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition with 48 teams instead of 32. The new format introduces:
- 12 groups of 4 teams each
- Top two teams from each group + best third-placed teams advance
- Introduction of a Round of 32
This expansion increases the total number of matches to 104, compared to 64 in previous tournaments.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Broadcast & Streaming Channels
One of the most important aspects for fans worldwide is where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live. FIFA sells broadcasting rights region by region, ensuring global coverage across TV networks and online streaming platforms.
Official Broadcasters by Region
| Region | Country | Broadcasters |
|---|---|---|
| North America | USA | FOX Sports (English), Telemundo/NBCUniversal (Spanish) |
| North America | Canada | Bell Media, TSN, RDS, CTV |
| North America | Mexico | Televisa, TV Azteca, Vix+ |
| South America | Argentina, Brazil, etc. | Globo, TyC Sports, DirecTV |
| Europe | UK | BBC, ITV |
| Europe | Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta TV |
| Europe | France | TF1, beIN Sports |
| Asia | India | JioCinema, Sports18 |
| Asia | Japan | NHK, Fuji TV |
| Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
| Middle East | MENA Region | beIN Sports |
Fans will also have the option of live streaming through official apps such as Fox Sports App, Telemundo Deportes, JioCinema, BBC iPlayer, and beIN CONNECT, depending on their region.
Digital Streaming & Global Access
For the 2026 edition, FIFA and broadcasters are emphasizing digital-first coverage. With younger audiences preferring mobile and smart TV streaming, expect:
- Multiple camera angles via apps
- Real-time match statistics
- Highlights on demand
- AI-enhanced commentary feeds
- Ultra HD & 4K broadcasts
This ensures that fans who cannot attend matches in person will still have a world-class viewing experience.
Key Facts About FIFA World Cup 2026
- First World Cup hosted by three nations
- First tournament with 48 teams
- 104 matches in total
- Mexico becomes the first nation to host 3 World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026)
- USA hosted last in 1994
- Canada will host its first men’s World Cup
Why This World Cup is Historic
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is not only about football—it represents a continental collaboration. It will:
- Boost tourism in 16 major cities
- Generate billions in revenue for host nations
- Provide global broadcast access in over 200 countries
- Inspire smaller football nations with increased participation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament begins on June 11, 2026 with Mexico’s opening match in Mexico City.
2. Where is the final being held?
The final will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (USA).
3. How many teams will participate?
A record 48 national teams will compete in the 2026 edition.
4. Who are the defending champions?
Argentina enters as the reigning champion after winning in 2022.
5. How can I watch live in India?
In India, the World Cup will be shown on Sports18 and streamed via JioCinema.
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule & Live Stream Official Channels outline a tournament that promises to be the most exciting, diverse, and accessible edition of all time. From expanded participation to world-class broadcasting, fans across every continent will have the opportunity to experience the action live.
With games spread across North America’s largest stadiums, extensive TV and streaming coverage, and an expanded 48-team format, this World Cup is truly designed to reach every corner of the globe.
Whether you’re attending matches in Mexico, Canada, or the USA, or tuning in through official channels and digital platforms, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as the tournament that brought football closer to the fans than ever before.