The FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June in Canada, Mexico and the USA and will run until 19 July. It will feature 48 national teams and 104 matches.
Mexico and South Africa will play the opening match. The tournament has already set a record in the history of the World Cup.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, 48 teams will compete in the final stage. The tournament will also set records for duration and number of matches — 39 days and 104 games.
In total, matches will be played in 16 cities across three countries. The games will take place in the US cities of Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Dallas and Atlanta, as well as Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.
2026 World Cup group stage fixtures by group
Group A
Mexico can be considered the favourites in this quartet, although all the teams are very evenly matched. The hosts cannot boast the same strong squad they had 20 years ago, but home advantage and the support of their fans will make up for this.
The Czech Republic are also capable of challenging for top spot. The European side were World Cup finalists in 1934 and 1962.
South Africa are clearly the underdogs, whilst South Korea could challenge for the top two places.
- 11 June. 22:00. Mexico v South Africa
- 12 June. 05:00. South Korea v Czech Republic
- 18 June. 19:00. Czech Republic v South Africa
- 19 June. 04:00. Mexico v South Korea
- 25 June. 04:00. Czech Republic v Mexico
- 25 June. 04:00. South Africa v South Korea
Group B
There could well be some surprises in Group B. Switzerland haven’t been particularly strong in recent years and can’t claim to be favourites.
Bosnia and Canada are expected to produce some unexpected results, at least one of the teams.
Qatar are predictably set to finish bottom.
- 12 June. 22:00. Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 13 June. 22:00. Qatar v Switzerland
- 18 June. 22:00. Switzerland v Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 19 June. 01:00. Canada v Qatar
- 24 June. 22:00. Switzerland v Canada
- 24 June. 22:00. Bosnia and Herzegovina v Qatar
Group C
The Brazilian national team is traditionally considered the favourite not only of the group but of the entire tournament. However, for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, everything will follow the usual script – the team will be knocked out at the quarter-final stage.
Scotland is capable, however bold it may sound, of competing for first place.
The Morocco national team is also quite strong and could produce some unexpected results.
The Haiti players have already achieved their mission by qualifying for a major tournament for the first time.
- 14 June. 01:00. Brazil v Morocco
- 14 June. 04:00. Haiti v Scotland
- 20 June. 01:00. Scotland v Morocco
- 20 June. 03:30. Brazil v Haiti
- 25 June. 01:00. Morocco v Haiti
- 25 June. 01:00. Scotland v Brazil
Group D
Group D at the World Cup is very evenly matched. All the teams are fully capable of finishing top of the group.
- 13 June. 04:00. USA v Paraguay
- 14 June. 07:00. Australia v Turkey
- 19 June. 22:00. USA v Australia
- 20 June. 06:00. Turkey v Paraguay
- 26 June. 05:00. Turkey v USA
- 26 June. 05:00. Paraguay v Australia
Group E
Germany have no choice but to top the group if they want to win the tournament.
Ivory Coast and Ecuador will battle it out for second place, whilst Curaçao, as debutants, are set to lose all their matches by a landslide.
- 14 June. 20:00. Germany v Curaçao
- 15 June. 02:00. Ivory Coast v Ecuador
- 20 June. 23:00. Germany v Ivory Coast
- 21 June. 03:00. Ecuador v Curaçao
- 25 June. 23:00. Ecuador v Germany
- 25 June. 23:00. Curaçao v Côte d’Ivoire
Group F
The Netherlands are the clear favourites in the group. Japan and Sweden could also qualify.
- 14 June. 23:00. Netherlands v Japan
- 15 June. 05:00. Sweden v Tunisia
- 20 June. 20:00. Netherlands v Sweden
- 21 June. 07:00. Tunisia v Japan
- 26 June. 02:00. Tunisia v Netherlands
- 26 June. 02:00. Japan v Sweden
Group G
One of the weakest groups, as Belgium have long since lost their ‘golden generation’ without ever achieving top-level results.
- 15 June. 22:00. Belgium v Egypt
- 16 June. 04:00. Iran v New Zealand
- 20 June. 22:00. Belgium v Iran
- 22 June. 04:00. New Zealand v Egypt
- 27 June. 06:00. New Zealand v Belgium
- 27 June. 06:00. Egypt v Iran
Group H
Spain are considered one of the main contenders, but expectations are too high.
- 15 June. 19:00. Spain v Cape Verde
- 16 June. 01:00. Saudi Arabia v Uruguay
- 21 June. 19:00. Spain v Saudi Arabia
- 22 June. 01:00. Uruguay v Cape Verde
- 27 June. 03:00. Uruguay v Spain
- 27 June. 03:00. Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
Group I
France are the clear favourites, but the team traditionally tends to slip up on the eve of the final.
- 16 June. 22:00. France v Senegal
- 17 June. 01:00. Iraq v Norway
- 23 June. 00:00. France v Iraq
- 23 June. 03:00. Norway v Senegal
- 26 June. 22:00. Norway v France
- 26 June. 22:00. Senegal v Iraq
Group J
The team led by Messi is once again the favourite. With a strong squad, they are well placed to repeat their success of 2022.
- 17 June. 04:00. Argentina v Algeria
- 17 June. 07:00. Austria v Jordan
- 22 June. 20:00. Argentina v Austria
- 23 June. 06:00. Jordan v Algeria
- 28 June. 05:00. Algeria v Austria
- 28 June. 05:00. Jordan v Argentina
Group K
The Portuguese are aiming to win the World Cup, but Colombia could stand in their way as early as the group stage.
- 17 June. 20:00. Portugal v DR Congo
- 18 June. 05:00. Uzbekistan v Colombia
- 23 June. 20:00. Portugal v Uzbekistan
- 24 June. 05:00. Colombia v DR Congo
- 28 June. 02:30. Colombia v Portugal
- 28 June. 02:30. DR Congo v Uzbekistan
Group L
England and Croatia will battle it out for top spot.
- 17 June. 23:00. England v Croatia
- 18 June. 02:00. Ghana v Panama
- 23 June. 23:00. England v Ghana
- 24 June. 02:00. Panama v Croatia
- 28 June. 00:00. Panama v England
- 28 June. 00:00. Croatia v Ghana
Two teams from each group will progress to the next round. A further eight teams will qualify from third place.
The round of 16 matches will take place on 28 June. The final is scheduled for 19 July and will be hosted by MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
