Football fans across the globe can now start planning their summers, as FIFA has finally revealed the comprehensive match schedule for the historic 2026 World Cup. The monumental tournament, the first to feature 48 teams, will be staged across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final set for New York's MetLife Stadium on July 20, 2026.
The Draw and the Wait for British Fans
The immediate focus for supporters of the home nations is the official draw, which is scheduled for Friday, December 5, 2025, at 5pm UK time in Washington. England and Scotland, having secured their qualification, will discover their group-stage opponents. However, in a twist, fans will have to wait an extra day to learn where their teams will play.
The specific venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches will be announced on Saturday, December 6, during a special FIFA broadcast at 5pm UK time. This means that while teams learn their fate on Friday, travel plans cannot be finalised until the following evening. Wales, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland also retain hopes of joining the party if they can navigate the play-off rounds next March.
A Tournament of Unprecedented Scale
The 2026 edition marks a new era for the World Cup, expanding to 48 nations divided into 12 groups of four. The group stage will be a frantic affair, with matches taking place daily from the opening game on Friday, June 12, 2026. The tournament will open at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a venue rich with football history.
The schedule confirms that host nations will play their initial group matches in their home countries. The United States will begin their campaign at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 13, while Canada's first match is slated for BMO Field in Toronto on the same day. Mexico's opener, as mentioned, will be in their capital.
Key Dates and Knockout Stage Venues
Following the group stage, which concludes on June 28, the new-look Round of 32 begins immediately on Monday, June 29. The knockout phase will criss-cross the continent, with venues from Vancouver to Miami hosting matches.
The quarter-finals are set for July 10-12, with Gillette Stadium in Foxborough (Boston), SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City serving as hosts. The semi-finals will then be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington (Dallas) on July 15 and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 16.
The third-place play-off is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, before the grand finale at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday, July 20, 2026.
For British fans, the reveal of the full schedule, complete with kick-off times expected to cater to global audiences, is the next major step towards the world's biggest sporting event. All eyes will now be on Washington for the draw, where the paths for Gareth Southgate's England and Steve Clarke's Scotland will begin to take shape.
