When Is the FIFA 2026 World Cup? Official Dates and Calendar
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 8, 2026 to July 8, 2026. This 31‑day tournament marks the first time the event will be hosted by three nations—Canada, the United States and Mexico—and the first edition to feature an expanded 48‑team format.
Host Nations and Cities
The joint North‑American bid guarantees a broad geographic spread of matches. Ten cities have been confirmed to host games, each offering world‑class stadiums and infrastructure:
- United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, San Francisco Bay Area (San Jose)
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
- Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara
These venues were selected for their capacity, transport links and experience with major sporting events, ensuring fans can enjoy the tournament in comfortable, well‑served settings.
Full Match Schedule Overview
While the exact match‑day timetable will be released closer to the tournament, FIFA has already published a basic framework. The competition will begin with a group‑stage opening match in Atlanta on June 8, followed by a series of group games across all host cities. The knockout phase will start in mid‑July, culminating in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on July 8.
Fans who want to see the detailed line‑up can see the full schedule on the official FIFA website once it is published. The schedule will also indicate local kickoff times, broadcast channels and ticketing windows.
Key Milestones Before the Tournament
Several important dates shape the road to the 2026 World Cup:
- Qualification Draw – Early 2024. The draw will determine the groups for each confederation’s qualifying rounds.
- Qualifying Matches – 2024‑2025. Over 200 national teams will compete for the 48 spots.
