FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveiled the updated match schedule for the 2026 World Cup during a live broadcast from Washington, D.C., featuring legends Ronaldo Nazário, Francesco Totti, Hristo Stoichkov, and Alexi Lalas. The schedule covers all 104 matches across hosts Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with opening games set for June 2026. It aims to minimize travel and optimize conditions for teams and fans.
The announcement on December 7, 2025, revealed detailed venues and kick-off times for the expanded 48-team tournament, divided into 12 groups and including a Round of 32 in the knockout stage. The schedule was developed to reduce travel distances, maximize rest days between matches, and ensure optimal welfare for players and supporters while accommodating global audiences across time zones.
Key opening matches include Mexico facing South Africa in Group A at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 at 13:00 local time, recreating their 2010 opener with coaches Javier Aguirre and Hugo Broos. Canada will host the UEFA play-off winner (from Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia and Herzegovina) in Group B at Toronto Stadium on June 12 at 15:00 local. The USA begins against Paraguay in Group D at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12 at 18:00 local.
Standout fixtures feature England versus Croatia in Group L at Dallas Stadium on June 17 at 15:00 local, echoing their 2018 semi-final. Curaçao makes its debut against Germany in Group E at Houston Stadium on June 14 at 12:00 local. Brazil meets Morocco in Group C at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13 at 18:00 local. The 1,000th World Cup match will be Tunisia versus Japan in Group F at Estadio Monterrey on June 20 at 22:00 local.
For New Zealand in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, matches are Iran vs New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium on June 15 (6:00 PM local), New Zealand vs Egypt at BC Place Vancouver on June 21 (6:00 PM local), and New Zealand vs Belgium at BC Place Vancouver on June 26 (8:00 PM local). The final schedule will be confirmed in March 2026 after play-offs determine the last six teams. Hospitality packages and travel options are now available through FIFA partners.
