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The FIFA World Cup 2026 marks a new era for global football, featuring 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The group stage will deliver 72 exciting matches across 16 cities, giving fans a month-long celebration of sport and culture. Here’s a full look at the group stage schedule and fixtures from June 11 to June 27, 2026.

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Overview of the Group Stage

The group stage will open on June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where the host nation Mexico will kick off the tournament. Each team will play three matches within their group, with top sides advancing to the knockout rounds.

Key features of this stage include:

• 48 teams divided into 12 groups (A–L).
• Top two teams from each group and the best eight third-place teams advance.
• Matches spread across North America’s most iconic stadiums.

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Group Stage Schedule and Venues

Date	Time (EST)	Match	Group	Venue
June 11	15:00	Mexico vs South Africa	A	Mexico City
June 11	22:00	South Korea vs UEFA Playoff D	A	Guadalajara
June 12	15:00	Canada vs UEFA Playoff A	B	Toronto
June 12	21:00	USA vs Paraguay	D	Los Angeles
June 13	18:00	Brazil vs Morocco	C	Boston / New York-New Jersey
June 13	00:00	Australia vs UEFA Playoff C	D	Vancouver
June 13	21:00	Haiti vs Scotland	C	Boston / New York-New Jersey
June 13	15:00	Qatar vs Switzerland	B	San Francisco Bay Area
June 14	13:00	Germany vs Curaçao	E	Philadelphia / Houston
June 14	19:00	Ivory Coast vs Ecuador	E	Philadelphia / Houston
June 14	16:00	Netherlands vs Japan	F	Dallas / Monterrey
June 14	22:00	UEFA Playoff B vs Tunisia	F	Dallas / Monterrey
June 15	12:00	Spain vs Cape Verde	H	Miami / Atlanta
June 15	18:00	Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay	H	Miami / Atlanta
June 15	21:00	Belgium vs Egypt	G	Los Angeles / Seattle
June 15	15:00	Iran vs New Zealand	G	Los Angeles / Seattle
June 16	15:00	France vs Senegal	I	New York-New Jersey / Boston
June 16	18:00	FIFA Playoff 2 vs Norway	I	New York-New Jersey / Boston
June 16	21:00	Argentina vs Algeria	J	Kansas City / San Francisco Bay Area
June 16	00:00	Austria vs Jordan	J	Kansas City / San Francisco Bay Area
June 17	19:00	England vs Croatia	L	Toronto / Dallas
June 17	16:00	Ghana vs Panama	L	Toronto / Dallas
June 17	13:00	Portugal vs FIFA Playoff 1	K	Houston / Mexico City
June 17	22:00	Uzbekistan vs Colombia	K	Houston / Mexico City
June 18	12:00	UEFA Playoff D vs South Africa	A	Atlanta
June 18	15:00	Switzerland vs UEFA Playoff A	A	Los Angeles
June 18	18:00	Canada vs Qatar	B	Vancouver
June 18	21:00	Mexico vs South Korea	A	Guadalajara
June 19	21:00	Brazil vs Haiti	C	Philadelphia / New York-New Jersey
June 19	18:00	Scotland vs Morocco	C	Philadelphia / New York-New Jersey
June 19	00:00	UEFA Playoff C vs Paraguay	D	San Francisco Bay Area
June 19	15:00	USA vs Australia	D	Seattle
June 20	16:00	Germany vs Ivory Coast	E	Toronto / Kansas City
June 20	20:00	Ecuador vs Curaçao	E	Toronto / Kansas City
June 20	13:00	Netherlands vs UEFA Playoff B	F	Houston / Monterrey
June 20	00:00	Tunisia vs Japan	F	Houston / Monterrey
June 21	12:00	Spain vs Saudi Arabia	H	Miami / Atlanta
June 21	18:00	Uruguay vs Cape Verde	H	Miami / Atlanta
June 21	15:00	Belgium vs Iran	G	Los Angeles / Vancouver
June 21	21:00	New Zealand vs Egypt	G	Los Angeles / Vancouver
June 22	17:00	France vs FIFA Playoff 2	I	New York-New Jersey / Philadelphia
June 22	20:00	Norway vs Senegal	I	New York-New Jersey / Philadelphia
June 22	13:00	Argentina vs Austria	J	Dallas / San Francisco Bay Area
June 22	23:00	Jordan vs Algeria	J	Dallas / San Francisco Bay Area
June 23	16:00	England vs Ghana	L	Boston / Toronto
June 23	19:00	Panama vs Croatia	L	Boston / Toronto
June 23	13:00	Portugal vs Uzbekistan	K	Houston / Guadalajara
June 23	22:00	Colombia vs FIFA Playoff 1	K	Houston / Guadalajara
June 24	18:00	Scotland vs Brazil	C	Miami / Atlanta
June 24	18:00	Morocco vs Haiti	C	Miami / Atlanta
June 24	15:00	Canada vs Switzerland	B	Vancouver
June 24	15:00	UEFA Playoff A vs Qatar	B	Seattle
June 24	21:00	Mexico vs UEFA Playoff D	A	Mexico City
June 24	21:00	South Korea vs South Africa	A	Monterrey
June 25	16:00	Ecuador vs Germany	E	Philadelphia / New York-New Jersey
June 25	16:00	Curaçao vs Ivory Coast	E	Philadelphia / New York-New Jersey
June 25	19:00	Tunisia vs Netherlands	F	Dallas / Kansas City
June 25	19:00	Japan vs UEFA Playoff B	F	Dallas / Kansas City
June 25	22:00	USA vs UEFA Playoff C	D	Los Angeles
June 25	22:00	Paraguay vs Australia	D	San Francisco Bay Area
June 26	15:00	Norway vs France	I	Boston / Toronto
June 26	15:00	Senegal vs FIFA Playoff 2	I	Boston / Toronto
June 26	23:00	New Zealand vs Belgium	G	Seattle / Vancouver
June 26	23:00	Egypt vs Iran	G	Seattle / Vancouver
June 26	20:00	Uruguay vs Spain	H	Houston / Guadalajara
June 26	20:00	Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia	H	Houston / Guadalajara
June 27	17:00	Panama vs England	L	New York-New Jersey / Philadelphia
June 27	17:00	Croatia vs Ghana	L	New York-New Jersey / Philadelphia
June 27	22:00	Jordan vs Argentina	J	Kansas City / Dallas
June 27	22:00	Algeria vs Austria	J	Kansas City / Dallas
June 27	19:30	Colombia vs Portugal	K	Miami / Atlanta
June 27	19:30	FIFA Playoff 1 vs Uzbekistan	K	Miami / Atlanta

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Key Stadiums to Watch

• Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) – Host of the opening match and a World Cup legend.
• MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey) – One of the largest venues, hosting key group and knockout games.
• SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) – A modern masterpiece, known for its immersive fan experience.
• BC Place (Vancouver) and BMO Field (Toronto) – Representing Canada with passionate crowds and scenic views.

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What to Expect in the Group Stage

Fans can look forward to:

• Historic firsts, with three host nations co-organizing for the first time.
• Intense continental rivalries as teams from all confederations clash early.
• Increased qualification opportunities, giving emerging nations a chance to shine.

The expanded format ensures every match carries weight, keeping fans engaged from the first whistle to the final group showdown.

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Final Thoughts

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage promises unforgettable moments and fierce competition across North America. With world-class stadiums, passionate supporters, and a diverse lineup of nations, the tournament’s opening phase sets the tone for an extraordinary football spectacle. Fans worldwide are counting down the days to witness history unfold from June 11 to June 27, 2026.

The race to complete the 48-team lineup for the 2026 World Cup enters its most intense phase in March 2026. While most nations secure their qualification through the regular group stages, several teams still depend on the UEFA playoffs and the inter-confederation playoffs to earn a coveted ticket to the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

These playoff rounds bring together teams that narrowly missed direct qualification, offering them one final, high-stakes opportunity to reach football’s biggest stage. With knockout-style fixtures, short recovery windows, and enormous pressure, the 2026 playoffs promise drama, emotion, and unforgettable football moments.

This detailed guide breaks down the dates, teams involved, fixtures format, and the pathways that will determine the final entries into the 2026 World Cup.

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Understanding the 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs

World Cup playoffs traditionally showcase the most dramatic battles of qualifying. For the 2026 edition, the format has been expanded and modernized to align with the new 48-team structure. The two major playoff routes are:

• UEFA Playoffs (Europe)
• Inter-Confederation Playoffs (AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, and OFC representatives)

Each route features its own structure, draw procedure, and knockout paths.

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UEFA Playoffs: Complete Overview

Europe’s football confederation sends 16 teams into its playoff bracket. These teams consist of:

• 12 runners-up from the European qualifying groups
• 4 group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup qualifying group

UEFA Playoff Dates

• Semifinals: March 26, 2026
• Finals: March 31, 2026
• Total paths: Four (A, B, C, D)
• One nation from each path qualifies, creating four UEFA playoff qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

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Teams Involved in UEFA Playoffs

Below is the complete list of 16 European nations participating in the 2026 playoff round:

Category	Teams
Group Runners-Up	Slovakia, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Italy, Albania, Czechia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Wales, Kosovo, Türkiye, Denmark
Nations League Group Winners	Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland

These teams are allocated into four pots during the draw, based on world ranking and Nations League placement.

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How the UEFA Playoff Draw Works

The draw is conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, with the following rules:

• Pot 1: Four highest-ranked teams
• Pot 4: The four Nations League group winners
• Pots 2 & 3: Remaining teams divided by ranking

Each path includes:

• Semifinal 1: Pot 1 vs. Pot 4
• Semifinal 2: Pot 2 vs. Pot 3
• Winners meet in a one-match path final.

Four victorious teams—one from each path—join the World Cup.

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UEFA Playoff Schedule Breakdown

Path A

Date	Fixture	Stage
March 26	Pot 1 Team vs. Pot 4 Team	Semifinal
March 26	Pot 2 Team vs. Pot 3 Team	Semifinal
March 31	Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2	Final

Path B

| March 26 | Pot 1 vs. Pot 4 | Semifinal |
| March 26 | Pot 2 vs. Pot 3 | Semifinal |
| March 31 | Winners Meet | Final |

Path C

Same structure as above.

Path D

Same structure as above.

The playoff paths ensure balanced competition, while also rewarding higher-ranked teams with a more favorable semifinal matchup.

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Inter-Confederation Playoffs: Global Battle for Final Spots

Alongside UEFA, six additional nations from around the world will contest two remaining World Cup slots through the inter-confederation playoffs.

These matches will be held in March 2026, with Mexico expected to host the games at:

• Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
• Estadio BBVA (Monterrey)

Although exact dates are pending, FIFA confirmed that each pathway includes one semifinal and one final.

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Teams Involved in the Inter-Confederation Playoffs

A total of six teams, representing various confederations:

Confederation	Team
CAF	DR Congo
CONMEBOL	Bolivia
OFC	New Caledonia
AFC	Iraq
CONCACAF (2 spots)	Jamaica, Suriname

This diverse mix ensures representation from every corner of the world.

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Draw Process for Inter-Confederation Playoffs

The inter-confederation playoff draw also takes place in Zurich on:

• November 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. CET

Draw rules:

• The two highest-ranked teams are seeded, advancing automatically to the pathway finals.
• The four unseeded teams play two semifinals.
• Winners of each semifinal meet a seeded team in the final.
• Path 1 and Path 2 will each produce one World Cup qualifier.

In addition:

• Both CONCACAF teams (Jamaica and Suriname) must be placed in different pathways.

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Inter-Confederation Playoff Pathways

Path 1

Date	Fixture	Round
TBC – March 2026	Playoff Team 1 vs. Playoff Team 2	Semifinal
TBC – March 2026	Seeded Team 1 vs. Winner	Final

Path 2

Same structure, with different teams.

These matches will determine the final two qualifiers for the enlarged World Cup format.

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Why the 2026 Playoffs Matter

The stakes are sky-high:

• A single defeat ends a nation’s World Cup dream.
• Smaller nations gain a rare chance to compete with global powers.
• The new structure ensures competitive balance and continental diversity.

For fans, these playoffs offer some of the most intense and emotional matches leading up to the World Cup.

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Conclusion

As March 2026 approaches, anticipation continues to rise. The 2026 World Cup Playoffs will finalize the expanded 48-team tournament lineup, featuring thrilling fixtures across Europe and North America. Whether it’s UEFA giants battling through tight knockout paths or global contenders pushing through the inter-confederation gauntlet, every match will help shape the storylines heading into the 2026 World Cup.

The world of football streaming is about to change again as FIFA and DAZN join forces to relaunch FIFA+, a global digital platform designed to bring fans closer to the game. Following the massive success of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, this new venture aims to deliver an unmatched football experience, just in time for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

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FIFA and DAZN Partnership Overview

The collaboration between FIFA and DAZN Group represents a new era of sports broadcasting. By leveraging DAZN’s global reach and FIFA’s extensive rights portfolio, the new FIFA+ platform will merge live streaming, on-demand football content, highlights, and exclusive access to over 100 national teams and club leagues.
This partnership also reflects FIFA’s long-term vision of making the sport accessible to every fan, regardless of location or platform.

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What to Expect from the New FIFA+

Fans can expect an enhanced viewing experience with a combination of live games, documentaries, and analysis shows — all integrated within DAZN’s interface.
The new FIFA+ on DAZN will feature:

Feature	Description
Live Matches	Coverage of men’s and women’s international and club competitions
On-Demand Content	Exclusive documentaries, interviews, and original football series
News Capsules	Hourly global updates, multilingual coverage, and match analysis
Freemium Access	Free version for all users, with optional premium subscriptions

This freemium model will allow users to stream FIFA content for free while offering premium features for fans who want deeper coverage and behind-the-scenes insights.

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Launch Timeline and Global Impact

The relaunch is planned for 2026, aligning with the excitement of the FIFA World Cup hosted across North America. This timing positions the platform to become the central digital hub for football fans worldwide.
The goal is not only to expand FIFA’s global footprint but also to give fans instant, high-quality access to football content like never before.

With DAZN already holding broadcast rights to major competitions such as the UEFA Champions League, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and the Premier League, this new platform will unify the world’s most popular tournaments under one ecosystem.

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Statements from FIFA and DAZN Leaders

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström highlighted the partnership’s success in bringing innovation and accessibility to fans globally.
Meanwhile, DAZN CEO Shay Segev described the relaunch as a “game-changing step forward”, combining the best of FIFA’s heritage and DAZN’s technology to deliver top-tier football entertainment at scale.

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Conclusion

The FIFA+ relaunch on DAZN marks a transformative step for football broadcasting ahead of the 2026 World Cup. By blending free access, innovative features, and immersive storytelling, this partnership ensures that fans everywhere can connect more deeply with the beautiful game.
As anticipation builds for the tournament, the new FIFA+ platform promises to redefine how millions experience football across screens and continents.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic milestone as the largest tournament in World Cup history, featuring 48 national teams for the very first time. With matches spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, anticipation for the group stage draw is building rapidly. This crucial event will determine the composition of the 12 groups that set the tone for football’s grandest spectacle.

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🏆 When and Where Is the World Cup Draw?

The 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw will take place on December 5, 2025, at 12 p.m. ET (9 a.m. PT). The prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. will host this global event.

Football fans around the world can expect a grand ceremony filled with entertainment, anticipation, and the official unveiling of group matchups for all 48 participating nations.

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📺 How to Watch the World Cup Draw Live

Fans can watch the draw live through:

• Official FIFA broadcast partners in each region.
• Online streaming via FIFA’s digital platforms and YouTube channel.
• Local broadcasters across the host nations (Fox Sports in the USA, TSN in Canada, and Televisa in Mexico are expected to cover it).

Many networks will offer pre-draw analysis, expert commentary, and post-draw discussions highlighting key group rivalries and potential “groups of death.”

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⚙️ How Does the Draw Work?

The draw process follows FIFA’s structured seeding method to ensure fairness and balance among teams from different continents.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Formation of Pots
   The 48 teams are divided into four pots, each containing 12 teams, based on FIFA rankings and regional confederation rules.
2. Host Nation Placement
   The three host nations — Canada, Mexico, and the United States — are pre-assigned to Group A, Group B, and Group D respectively. This ensures they play their group matches in home stadiums.
3. Geographic Restrictions
   • No two teams from the same confederation (except UEFA) can be in the same group.
   • Up to two European teams may share a group.
4. Drawing Procedure
   Each team name is enclosed in a ball and placed into large transparent bowls. One by one, the teams are drawn and assigned to groups A to L, following the seeding and confederation restrictions.
5. Computer Allocation
   After each draw, a computer system confirms geographic compliance and finalizes each team’s group position and match venues.

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🌍 Pot Distribution Explained

Here’s how the pots are likely to look based on current FIFA rankings and qualification status:

Pot	Teams Included	Details
Pot 1	United States 🇺🇸, Mexico 🇲🇽, Canada 🇨🇦, Argentina 🇦🇷, France 🇫🇷, Brazil 🇧🇷, England 🏴, Spain 🇪🇸, Portugal 🇵🇹, Belgium 🇧🇪, Netherlands 🇳🇱, Italy 🇮🇹	Hosts and top-ranked qualified nations
Pot 2	Nations ranked 13–24	Competitive teams like Germany, Croatia, Uruguay, and Denmark
Pot 3	Mid-ranked qualifiers	Potential surprises such as Japan, Senegal, and Morocco
Pot 4	Emerging and playoff winners	Includes intercontinental and European playoff winners

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🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 Host Nations’ Group Allocation

Host Nation	Assigned Group	Venue Country
Canada	Group A	Matches in Toronto and Vancouver
Mexico	Group B	Matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara
United States	Group D	Matches in major US venues including Los Angeles and New York

This pre-determined placement ensures fans in each host country can witness their teams play on home soil during the group stage.

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🗓️ 2026 World Cup Schedule Overview

Once the draw is finalized, the 48 teams will compete across 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will progress to the knockout rounds.

Stage	Dates (2026)
Group Stage	June 11 – June 27
Round of 32	June 28 – July 3
Round of 16	July 4 – July 7
Quarterfinals	July 9 – July 11
Semifinals	July 14 – July 15
Third-Place Play-Off	July 18
Final	July 19

The opening match will be held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, one of the most iconic stadiums in football history.

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🌐 Qualified Teams So Far

As of now, 26 nations have secured their spots in the 2026 tournament, with others to join after the final qualification rounds.

Continent	Qualified Teams
Europe (UEFA)	England, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark
South America (CONMEBOL)	Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador
Africa (CAF)	Algeria, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde
Asia (AFC)	Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan, Jordan
North America (CONCACAF)	Canada, Mexico, United States
Oceania (OFC)	New Zealand

Newcomers such as Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde will make their World Cup debut, showcasing the tournament’s growing global reach.

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🧩 Understanding the Tournament Format

The expanded format features 12 groups of 4 teams. Each team plays three group matches, and the top-performing nations move on to a 32-team knockout stage.

• Total Matches: 104
• Total Duration: 39 days
• Host Cities: 16 cities across North America

This structure increases both the global competitiveness and the fan engagement across continents.

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🏟️ Stadiums to Host the Drawn Matches

The 2026 World Cup will utilize state-of-the-art venues across three nations. Some of the most anticipated host cities include:

• Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
• SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
• MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey)
• BMO Field (Toronto)
• BC Place (Vancouver)
• AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
• Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

These venues promise unmatched fan experiences and world-class facilities.

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⚡ Why the 2026 Draw Matters

The group stage draw is more than just a formality — it shapes the entire path to the final. The distribution of powerhouses and underdogs across groups determines early matchups and potential knockouts. It also fuels worldwide discussions, predictions, and excitement leading into June 2026.

Key factors fans watch for:

• Potential “Group of Death” scenarios.
• Historical rivalries (like Argentina vs. England).
• Travel schedules for fans following their national teams.
• Venue assignments for host nations’ matches.

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Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw will set the stage for a record-breaking edition of football’s biggest event. With the expansion to 48 teams, debut nations, and three hosts across North America, this tournament promises unmatched drama, diversity, and global unity.

Mark your calendar for December 5, 2025, and get ready to witness football history unfold live from Washington, D.C. — where the world’s greatest teams will learn their fates on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final on July 19, 2026.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the largest edition of the tournament ever held — and FOX Sports is ready to make television history with its most ambitious coverage to date. The network has announced that it will broadcast all 104 matches live, offering viewers in Morocco Pacific Standard Time (PST) access to an unparalleled viewing experience.

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A Record-Breaking Broadcast Plan

For the first time in television history, FOX Sports will air 69 live matches on FOX and 35 on FS1, with every single match streaming live on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. This new structure more than doubles the number of games shown on broadcast television compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when only 34 matches aired on FOX.

The 69 live matches on FOX represent around two-thirds (66%) of the entire tournament — a record for network television coverage. It marks a significant leap forward from the 53% share in 2022, reflecting FOX’s continued investment in expanding football coverage for American audiences.

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Expansive Programming and Prime-Time Matches

FOX Sports is planning over 340 hours of first-run programming, including pre-match, halftime, and post-match analysis, making this the biggest production in the network’s 32-year history. That’s an increase of 100 hours compared to the previous edition.

Fans can expect more matches airing in prime time PST, allowing viewers from Morocco to the U.S. West Coast to enjoy marquee fixtures at convenient times. The network aims to bring fans closer to the action with expert commentary, dynamic studio shows, and in-depth storytelling from each of the 16 host cities.

Category	Details
Total Matches	104
FOX Broadcast	69 Live Matches
FS1 Broadcast	35 Matches
Total Programming Hours	340+ Hours
Host Nations	USA, Mexico, Canada
Time Zone Conversion	Morocco PST

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Statement from FOX Sports Leadership

Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports, emphasized the scale of the event:

“Our presentation of the FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the most ambitious production in FOX Sports history. With more teams, more storylines, and more stars, it’s going to be a global celebration unlike anything before.”

The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be held on Friday, December 5, live from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and broadcast on FOX.

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Historic Tournament Across Three Nations

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and be hosted by three countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Eleven U.S. cities will take part, including Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Seattle, New York/New Jersey, and San Francisco Bay Area.

In the group stage, the U.S. Men’s National Team is scheduled to play on June 12 (Los Angeles), June 19 (Seattle), and June 25 (Los Angeles) — all converted to Morocco PST for international fans.

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With unprecedented coverage, prime-time scheduling, and a record-breaking number of live matches, FOX Sports’ presentation of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will redefine how the world experiences football. As the countdown continues, fans across every time zone — including Morocco PST — can prepare for the most extensive, people-first, and SEO-aligned broadcast in history.