The FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule has been announced, featuring 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The tournament draw places 48 teams into 12 groups, with opening matches highlighting host nations and traditional powerhouses. Broadcasters BBC and ITV in the UK will cover key games, including those for England and Scotland.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, expanded to 48 teams, will run for 37 days, starting with Mexico facing South Africa on June 11 at 20:00 GMT, broadcast on ITV. This marks the first time the tournament is co-hosted by three nations: the USA, Canada, and Mexico, with matches at 16 venues.
The group stage spans June 11 to 27, followed by the round of 32 from June 28 to July 3, leading to knockout rounds and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Key fixtures include the USA versus Paraguay on June 13 at 02:00 GMT on BBC, Canada against a playoff winner on June 12 at 20:00 GMT on BBC, and Brazil versus Morocco on June 13 at 23:00 GMT on BBC.
Groups were drawn as follows: Group A (Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, playoff winner); Group B (Canada, playoff winner, Qatar, Switzerland); Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland); Group D (Paraguay, Australia, playoff winner); Group E (Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador); Group F (Netherlands, Japan, playoff winner, Tunisia); Group G (Belgium, Egypt, New Zealand, playoff winner); Group H (Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay); Group I (France, Senegal, playoff winner, Norway); Group J (Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan); Group K (Portugal, playoff winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia); Group L (England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama).
England's group stage includes matches against Croatia on June 17 at 21:00 GMT on ITV, Ghana on June 23 at 21:00 GMT on BBC, and Panama on June 27 at 22:00 GMT on ITV. Scotland faces Haiti on June 14 at 02:00 GMT on BBC, Morocco on June 19 at 23:00 GMT on ITV, and Brazil on June 24 at 23:00 GMT on BBC.
Six playoff spots remain undecided, with UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs concluding on March 31. The draw, conducted in Washington D.C. with multi-sport icons like Tom Brady and Wayne Gretzky assisting, sets the stage for what FIFA describes as a groundbreaking tournament in scale and financial contribution, with $727 million in prize money distributed to teams.
