FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament is the first to use the expanded 48-team format, up from 32, and the first co-hosted by three nations. The United States (11 cities), Canada (2 cities), and Mexico (3 cities) share the 16-venue host structure. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
The opening match kicks off June 11 in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, the only venue in the world to host a World Cup final twice (1970 and 1986). Mexico secured the honor after extensive lobbying for the symbolic opening slot ahead of the centennial tournament. FIFA confirmed the venue and schedule in late 2024.
Tournament Schedule | Key Dates
| Round | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 – July 2, 2026 | 72 matches (16 groups of 3 teams) |
| Round of 32 | July 4–7, 2026 | 16 matches |
| Round of 16 | July 8–12, 2026 | 8 matches |
| Quarter-finals | July 13–14, 2026 | 4 matches |
| Semi-finals | July 16–17, 2026 | 2 matches |
| Third-place match | July 18, 2026 | 1 match |
| Final | July 19, 2026 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
Format Change | 48 Teams, New Round of 32
The 2026 World Cup is the first tournament under the expanded 48-team format approved by FIFA in 2017. The 16-group format (each with 3 teams) replaces the previous 8-group structure (each with 4 teams). The top two teams from each group, plus 8 best third-placed teams, advance to a new Round of 32 before the Round of 16. Total matches increase from 64 to 104.
Critics of the expanded format argued it would dilute quality. FIFA responded that 16 more nations qualifying, particularly from Africa, Asia, and CONCACAF, increases global participation without compromising the knockout rounds. All 48 qualifying teams and groups were confirmed following the completion of the 48-team field in March 2026.
USA Host Cities | 11 Venues
The United States hosts the most matches and the final. The 11 American host venues span coast to coast, with the semi-finals and final concentrated in the Northeast.
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey | MetLife Stadium — Final venue | 82,500 |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,240 |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi's Stadium | 68,500 |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,326 |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | 69,000 |
| Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,220 |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,796 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 |
Canada and Mexico Host Cities
| Country | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Toronto | BMO Field (expanded for 2026) |
| Canada | Vancouver | BC Place |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Azteca — Opening match June 11 |
| Mexico | Guadalajara | Estadio Akron |
| Mexico | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA |
Fan Travel | Getting Between Cities
Unlike previous World Cups in single-nation hosts, 2026 requires fans following their national team through the tournament to travel between three countries. FIFA has coordinated with airlines and Amtrak to facilitate cross-city travel. The US transit pricing for World Cup 2026 has drawn criticism from fan groups, who flagged surge pricing on intercity routes. Domestic flights between US host cities are the primary inter-venue travel option, with direct routes from Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta to MetLife / Newark Liberty.
Final Halftime Show | Chris Martin Confirmed
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is confirmed to perform at the World Cup 2026 Final halftime show at MetLife Stadium on July 19. Full details in FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show | Chris Martin Confirmed.
For full tournament coverage including controversies, team news, and match previews, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub.