World Cup 2026 Fixtures – Full Schedule, Dates & Groups 2026
This page contains the full World Cup 2026 fixture schedule, covering the group stage, knockout rounds, host venues, and tournament dates. Whether you are tracking England through Group L, following France or Argentina in the knockout bracket, or simply want to know when key matches kick off in UK time, you will find what you need here.
This page contains the full World Cup 2026 fixture schedule, covering the group stage, knockout rounds, host venues, and tournament dates. Whether you are tracking England through the knockout bracket, following France or Argentina in the Round of 32, or simply want to know when key matches kick off in UK time, you will find what you need here.
The World Cup 2026 schedule spans 39 days of football across North America. Twelve groups of four teams played through the group stage before 32 teams entered an expanded knockout bracket that now includes a brand-new Round of 32. The table below gives a quick overview of the key tournament facts.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | World Cup 2026 |
| Host Countries | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Tournament Dates | 11 June 2026 – 19 July 2026 (39 days) |
| Number of Teams | 48 teams (12 groups of 4) |
| Total Matches | 104 matches across 16 venues |
| Opening Match | Mexico 2–0 South Africa – Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (11 June, 20:00 BST) |
| Final Date | Sunday, 19 July 2026 |
| Final Venue | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey |
Following the World Cup 2026 schedule is straightforward for UK fans, with all matches on BBC and ITV. The favourites have dominated the headlines, but the real tournament drama often comes from the how to bet World Cup underdogs capable of ruining an accumulator in 90 minutes.
Full World Cup 2026 Group Stage Fixtures
The World Cup 2026 group stage ran from 11 June to 27 June 2026. All 48 teams played three matches each. The top two teams from each group advanced to the Round of 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
Many World Cup 2026 group stage fixtures kicked off late in UK time due to the North American time zone difference. BST times ranged from approximately 20:00 to as late as 05:00 the following morning. The group stage is now complete and the knockout schedule is set out below.
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World Cup 2026 Groups: Final Standings
The draw for World Cup 2026 took place on 5 December 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. All 12 groups were confirmed following the completion of the qualifying playoffs on 31 March 2026, and the group stage has now been played in full.
| Group | Teams | Key Venues |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, South Africa | Mexico City, Atlanta, Guadalajara |
| Group B | Switzerland, Canada, Qatar, Bosnia & Herzegovina | Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles |
| Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland | New York/NJ, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle |
| Group D | USA, Turkey, Australia, Paraguay | Los Angeles, Seattle |
| Group E | Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao | Toronto, Kansas City, Dallas |
| Group F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia | Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Monterrey |
| Group G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand | Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, Vancouver |
| Group H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay | Atlanta, Miami, Kansas City |
| Group I | France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway | New York/NJ, Philadelphia, Dallas |
| Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan | Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco |
| Group K | Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia | Houston, Mexico City, Kansas City |
| Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama | Dallas, Houston, Toronto |
England’s Group L Results
England were drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama — and topped the group with seven points to reach the Round of 32. These were among the most-watched World Cup 2026 matches for UK audiences.
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | UK Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 17 Jun | England 4–2 Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas | Won | ITV1 / ITVX |
| Tue 23 Jun | England 0–0 Ghana | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas | Drew | BBC One / iPlayer |
| Fri 27 Jun | England 2–0 Panama | BMO Field, Toronto, Canada | Won | ITV1 / ITVX |
England vs Croatia on 17 June was one of the standout group-stage fixtures for UK audiences, with Harry Kane scoring twice in a 4–2 win that set the tone for the group. A goalless draw with Ghana followed, before a 2–0 win over Panama — in which Kane overtook Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading World Cup scorer — sealed top spot in Group L. Croatia advanced as runners-up and Ghana qualified as one of the best third-placed teams; Panama went out without scoring a goal.
Selected Key Group Stage Results
The following table highlights a selection of high-profile group-stage matches and their results. The group stage delivered plenty of drama, including early exits for several heavyweights once the knockout bracket took shape.
| Date | Match | Group | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 11 Jun | Mexico vs South Africa | A | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | 2–0 |
| Fri 12 Jun | Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | B | BMO Field, Toronto | 1–1 |
| Sat 13 Jun | USA vs Paraguay | D | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 4–1 |
| Sat 13 Jun | Brazil vs Morocco | C | MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ | 1–1 |
| Sun 14 Jun | Haiti vs Scotland | C | Gillette Stadium, Boston | 0–1 |
| Sun 14 Jun | Netherlands vs Japan | F | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 2–2 |
| Wed 17 Jun | England vs Croatia | L | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 4–2 |
| Tue 16 Jun | France vs Senegal | I | MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ | 3–1 |
| Tue 16 Jun | Argentina vs Algeria | J | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City | 3–0 |
| Tue 23 Jun | England vs Ghana | L | NRG Stadium, Houston | 0–0 |
| Wed 24 Jun | Scotland vs Brazil | C | MetLife Stadium, New York/NJ | 0–3 |
| Fri 27 Jun | England vs Panama | L | BMO Field, Toronto | 2–0 |
Among the headline group-stage stories: Scotland were eliminated after finishing third in Group C behind Brazil and Morocco, while Germany later went out in the Round of 32. For UK fans, England’s group-topping campaign was the standout. Bettors can still compare markets for the knockout rounds via our Best World Cup Odds coverage.atches.
Bettors focusing on the tournament opener can compare the Best World Cup Odds Opening Match to see how leading bookmakers are pricing Mexico vs South Africa ahead of kick-off.
Mexico vs South Africa is not only the first match of the tournament but also one of the most heavily bet fixtures of the opening week. Readers interested in comparing the latest World Cup opening match odds can review how bookmakers are pricing the tournament curtain-raiser.
World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Fixtures
The World Cup 2026 knockout stage began on 28 June 2026, once the group stage concluded. This edition of the World Cup introduces a Round of 32 for the first time in tournament history, meaning 32 teams compete in winner-takes-all matches before the bracket progresses to the more familiar Round of 16 and beyond.
A total of 32 teams advanced from the group stage: the top two finishers from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams. From the Round of 16 onward, all matches are played in the United States only.
World Cup organisers structured the 2026 knockout bracket using a two-pathway system designed to keep the highest-ranked teams apart until the semi-finals, based on seeding. England and France were placed in separate pathways, as were Spain and Argentina, meaning none of these sides can meet until the semi-finals at the earliest.
The table below shows the knockout stage schedule, including dates and host venues.
| Round | Dates (2026) | Matches | Host Venue(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 28 Jun – 3 Jul | 16 matches | Multiple USA, Canada, Mexico venues |
| Round of 16 | 4 Jul – 7 Jul | 8 matches | Vancouver, Atlanta, Mexico City, New York/NJ, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia |
| Quarter-Finals | 9 Jul – 11 Jul | 4 matches | Boston/Foxborough, Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City |
| Semi-Final 1 | Tue 14 Jul | 1 match | AT&T Stadium, Dallas (Arlington), Texas |
| Semi-Final 2 | Wed 15 Jul | 1 match | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia |
| Third-Place Play-Off | Sat 18 Jul | 1 match | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Final | Sun 19 Jul | 1 match | New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), East Rutherford, NJ |
Round of 32 Fixtures and Results
The Round-of-32 matchups are confirmed below. Results are shown for completed ties; kick-off times are in BST.
| Date | Match | BST Kick-Off |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jun | South Africa 0–1 Canada | 20:00 |
| 29 Jun | Brazil 2–1 Japan | 18:00 |
| 29 Jun | Germany 1–1 Paraguay (3–4 pens) | 21:30 |
| 30 Jun | Netherlands 2–2 Morocco (2–3 pens) | 02:00 |
| 30 Jun | Ivory Coast vs Norway | 18:00 |
| 30 Jun | France vs Sweden | 22:00 |
| 1 Jul | Mexico vs Ecuador | 02:00 |
| 1 Jul | England vs DR Congo | 17:00 |
| 1 Jul | Belgium vs Senegal | 21:00 |
| 2 Jul | USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 01:00 |
| 2 Jul | Portugal vs Croatia | 00:00 |
| 2 Jul | Spain vs Austria | 20:00 |
| 3 Jul | Switzerland vs Algeria | 04:00 |
| 3 Jul | Australia vs Egypt | 19:00 |
| 3 Jul | Argentina vs Cape Verde | 23:00 |
| 4 Jul | Colombia vs Ghana | 02:30 |
England, who topped Group L, face DR Congo in the Round of 32 on Wednesday 1 July (17:00 BST, BBC One). Croatia, the Group L runners-up, meet Portugal on 2 July, and Ghana face the Group K winners (Colombia) on 4 July. Specific Round-of-16 pairings depend on these results and will be confirmed as the bracket progresses; this page is updated accordingly.
With 32 teams entering the knockout stage, the tournament produces some of the most unpredictable football of the summer. If outright winner odds feel too unpredictable, the race for who will win the Golden Boot gives bettors another exciting way to follow the tournament’s biggest forwards. And if you are more interested in England’s chances in World Cup, we have got you covered as well.
World Cup 2026 Host Cities and Stadiums
The World Cup 2026 venues are spread across 16 host cities in three countries, making this the most geographically expansive World Cup ever held. The USA hosts the largest share of matches with 11 venues, while Mexico and Canada each contribute three and two venues respectively.
World Cup organisers renamed all competition venues for the duration of the tournament to avoid conflicts with naming-rights sponsors. AT&T Stadium in Dallas is referred to as Dallas Stadium in official communications, and MetLife Stadium becomes New York New Jersey Stadium. Common names are included in the table below for clarity.
UK fans following matches live should bear in mind the significant time-zone differences. Venues on the US East Coast (New York, Boston, Philadelphia) are five hours behind BST. Central time zone venues (Dallas, Kansas City, Houston) are six hours behind. Mountain and Pacific venues (Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle) are seven to eight hours behind, which pushes late matches well past midnight in the UK.
| City | Country | Stadium (Common Name) | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Mexico | Estadio Azteca / Mexico City Stadium | 6 (group) |
| Guadalajara | Mexico | Estadio Akron / Guadalajara Stadium | 3 (group) |
| Monterrey | Mexico | Estadio BBVA / Monterrey Stadium | 4 (group) |
| Toronto | Canada | BMO Field / Toronto Stadium | 6 (group) |
| Vancouver | Canada | BC Place / Vancouver Stadium | 4 + R16 |
| Atlanta | USA | Mercedes-Benz Stadium / Atlanta Stadium | 6 + QF + SF |
| Boston (Foxborough) | USA | Gillette Stadium / Boston Stadium | 6 + QF |
| Dallas (Arlington) | USA | AT&T Stadium / Dallas Stadium | 9 + SF (most matches) |
| Houston | USA | NRG Stadium / Houston Stadium | 6 + R16 |
| Kansas City | USA | Arrowhead Stadium / Kansas City Stadium | 5 + QF |
| Los Angeles (Inglewood) | USA | SoFi Stadium / Los Angeles Stadium | 8 + QF |
| Miami (Miami Gardens) | USA | Hard Rock Stadium / Miami Stadium | 5 + 3rd place |
| New York / New Jersey | USA | MetLife Stadium / New York New Jersey Stadium | 6 + R16 + Final |
| Philadelphia | USA | Lincoln Financial Field / Philadelphia Stadium | 5 + R16 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | USA | Levi’s Stadium / San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | 6 (group) |
| Seattle | USA | Lumen Field / Seattle Stadium | 6 + R16 |
How to Follow World Cup 2026 Fixtures in the UK
UK readers following the World Cup 2026 fixtures should check kick-off times carefully, because many matches take place across different North American time zones and kick off late at night or in the early hours of the morning for UK audiences. If you are looking for a complete broadcaster breakdown, streaming options and channel schedules, our guide on where to watch World Cup 2026 in the UK covers everything UK viewers need to know.
BBC Sport and ITV Sport hold the exclusive UK broadcast rights for all 104 World Cup 2026 matches. Every match is free to air, with no subscription or pay-per-view costs. This is the same arrangement that applied to previous World Cups and means no UK fan needs to pay to watch any match.
Key points for UK viewers:
- All 104 World Cup 2026 matches are broadcast free on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, and ITV4.
- Streaming is available at no cost through BBC iPlayer and ITVX, both requiring a free account.
- Scotland-specific coverage and selected matches are also available on STV and STV Player.
- The final on 19 July will be shown simultaneously across both BBC and ITV, giving viewers a choice of commentary team and studio presentation.
- BST kick-off times range from around 20:00 BST at the early end to as late as 05:00 BST for West Coast USA matches.
- East Coast venues such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia are UTC-4 in summer (five hours behind BST). West Coast venues including Los Angeles and Seattle are UTC-7 (eight hours behind BST).
- Live scores, match alerts, and schedule updates are available through BBC Sport, Sky Sports, and the official app throughout the tournament.
Important note for UK readers: no UK bookmaker holds live streaming rights for the World Cup 2026. BBC and ITV hold exclusive UK broadcast rights and this content is not available to stream on any betting platform in the UK.
To find out more about following football online, visit our guide to the best World Cup betting sites in the UK for an overview of the top-rated platforms for UK football fans. Also, before backing any nation outright, it is worth comparing the favourites to win the World Cup 2026 and seeing which teams actually combine squad depth, form, and a kind draw.
Key World Cup 2026 Dates to Know
These are the most important World Cup 2026 dates readers should track throughout the tournament.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Opening Match (Mexico 2–0 South Africa) | Thursday, 11 June 2026 – 20:00 BST |
| Group Stage Begins | 11 June 2026 |
| Group Stage Ends | 27 June 2026 |
| Round of 32 Begins | 28 June 2026 |
| Round of 32 Ends | 3 July 2026 |
| Round of 16 | 4 July – 7 July 2026 |
| Quarter-Finals | 9 July – 11 July 2026 |
| Semi-Final 1 (Dallas) | Tuesday, 14 July 2026 |
| Semi-Final 2 (Atlanta) | Wednesday, 15 July 2026 |
| Third-Place Play-Off (Miami) | Saturday, 18 July 2026 |
| World Cup Final (New York/New Jersey) | Sunday, 19 July 2026 – approx. 20:00 BST |
Specific kick-off times for the remaining knockout rounds are confirmed by UK broadcasters as the tournament progresses. BBC Sport and ITV Sport publish finalised BST times ahead of each stage.
Toffee’s Take
From an Evertonian’s perspective, there was one name that made this World Cup appointment viewing: Jordan Pickford. Our goalkeeper, England’s undisputed number one, did his best to keep Croatia at bay in Dallas on 17 June — and while England conceded twice, they came through 4–2 and went on to top Group L. With the Three Lions now into the knockout rounds, Pickford’s form between the posts could be the difference in the tight games to come.
As a Chelsea fan writing for an Everton site, I will grudgingly admit that Pickford has been one of England’s most consistent performers for years. When England needs him, he delivers. Anyone tracking knockout-stage value should also check the latest Bet365 World Cup offer or Betfred World Cup offer, especially if they want a trusted bookmaker with deep football markets.
World Cup 2026 Fixtures: Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Cup 2026 start?
The World Cup 2026 starts on Thursday, 11 June 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, kicking off at 20:00 BST. The tournament concludes with the final on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where will the World Cup 2026 be held?
The World Cup 2026 is co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico across 16 host cities. The USA hosts 11 venues including Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Mexico hosts matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Canada hosts games in Toronto and Vancouver.
How many teams will play in the World Cup 2026?
A record 48 teams will compete at the World Cup 2026, up from 32 at Qatar 2022. The 48 nations are split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a new Round of 32, giving 32 teams a place in the knockout stage.
Where can I find the full World Cup 2026 fixture list?
The complete schedule of all 104 matches, including BST kick-off times, is available on BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk/sport) and ITV Sport (itv.com/sport), as well as the official website. This page covers the full group stage breakdown, knockout rounds, and key dates, and is updated as further details are confirmed.
Will World Cup 2026 kick-off times be different in the UK?
Yes. Matches span multiple North American time zones, so UK kick-off times range from approximately 20:00 BST to as late as 05:00 BST the following morning. East Coast matches are five hours behind BST. West Coast matches are eight hours behind. Always check BST times on BBC Sport before each match.
Which stadium will host the World Cup 2026 final?
The 2026 World Cup final takes place on Sunday, 19 July 2026 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, more commonly known as MetLife Stadium. The final kicks off at 3pm local time (EDT), which is approximately 20:00 BST for UK viewers. The shared final will be broadcast on both BBC and ITV.
Who are England playing in the World Cup 2026 group stage?
England are in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Confirmed fixtures: England vs Croatia on 17 June (21:00 BST, ITV1), England vs Ghana on 23 June (BBC One, time TBC), and England vs Panama on 27 June (22:00 BST, ITV1). England must finish in the top two of Group L to reach the Round of 32.
Which UK channels are showing the World Cup 2026?
All 104 matches are broadcast free on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, and ITV4 in the UK. Free streaming is available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Scottish viewers also have access via STV and STV Player. No subscription or pay-TV access is required. No UK bookmaker holds streaming rights for this tournament.
