The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just days away, with football's biggest tournament ready for kick-off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and concluding with the final on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This historic tournament will feature a record 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 host cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
2026 FIFA World Cup Date & Schedule
Tournament Timeline
The tournament will unfold across 39 action-packed days with the following key dates:
| Stage | Dates | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Match | June 11, 2026, 20:00 BST | Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Group Stage | June 11–27, 2026 | 12 groups of 4 teams each |
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3, 2026 | First knockout round at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| Round of 16 | July 4–7, 2026 | 16 matches continue knockout stage |
| Quarter-Finals | July 8–11, 2026 | All matches in the US |
| Semi-Finals | July 14–15, 2026 | Kick-off at 20:00 BST |
| Third-Place Play-off | July 18, 2026 | Final match before the grand finale |
| Final | July 19, 2026, 20:00 BST | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
Host City Distribution
- Mexico: 13 games (including opening match)
- Canada: 13 games
- United States: 78 games (including all quarter-finals onwards)
Kick-Off Times
The tournament will feature 13 different kick-off times, including games as early as 5am UK time (BST). Nearly half of the group stage matches (35 of 72) will begin between midnight and 5am BST.
England's Fixtures (all 9pm or 10pm UK time for friendlier viewing):
June 17, 9pm: England vs Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Arlington
June 23, 9pm: England vs Ghana | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 27, 10pm: England vs Panama | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Scotland's Fixtures:
June 14, 2am: Haiti vs Scotland | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 19, 11pm: Scotland vs Morocco | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
June 24, 11pm: Scotland vs Brazil | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
2026 FIFA World Cup Groups
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams, creating a new 32-team knockout round.
Complete Group Draw
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic |
| Group B | Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland |
| Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| Group D | United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey |
| Group E | Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| Group F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia |
| Group G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| Group H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| Group I | France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway |
| Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| Group K | Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Format Highlights
- 104 total matches – up 40 from the 2022 Qatar World Cup
- 48 teams – first time in World Cup history
- 16 host cities across three nations
- Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo likely to play their last World Cup on this stage
2026 FIFA World Cup Ticket
How to Buy Tickets
There are 3 official ways to purchase FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets:
- Method 1: FIFA.com/tickets (Last-Minute Sales – OPEN NOW)
Sales period: April 1 – July 19, 2026
First-come, first-served – no draw required
Categories 1, 2, 3 and front-row seats available
Mobile-only tickets – delivered via FIFA World Cup 2026 app from May 2026
- Method 2: FIFA Official Resale Marketplace
Available at FIFA.com/tickets (reopened April 2, 2026)
Verified fan-to-fan resale – all tickets checked by FIFA
FIFA charges 15% fee to both buyers and sellers
Safest secondary-market option
- Method 3: Hospitality Packages
Official provider: FIFA.com/hospitality
Ticket-inclusive premium packages with seats + dining + exclusive lounges
Available for USA matches, Semi-Finals, Quarter-Finals and more
Contact: 1-844-652-1685
How To
How to Get FIFA World Cup 2026 TicketsUse the official 2026 FIFA World Cup mobile ticket app to instantly save tickets on your phone, share them via email, and enter match venues easily with digital passes.
查看更多Ticket Pricing
Group stage: Starting at $60
Final match: Up to $6,730 at MetLife Stadium
Over 5 million of 6 million tickets already sold as of April 2026
Important Warnings
⚠️ NEVER buy from unofficial resale sites – scams are extremely common
⚠️ All tickets are MOBILE ONLY – no printed tickets accepted
⚠️ FIFA does NOT guarantee validity of tickets from StubHub or SeatGeek
✅ Always use FIFA.com/tickets or the official FIFA Resale Marketplace only
Step-by-Step Booking Guide
1. Visit FIFA.com/tickets (official only)
2. Create or log into your FIFA account before the queue opens
3. Join the digital queue with payment details ready
4. Select match + ticket category + seat (use "Seat Map" for exact seat)
5. Complete payment – receive confirmation email instantly
6. Download the FIFA World Cup 2026 app (mobile tickets released from May 2026)
FAQs
Q: What is the 2026 World Cup format?
The tournament features 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new Round of 32 knockout stage, bringing total matches to 104.
Q: When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start and end?
Start: June 11, 2026 (opening match: Mexico vs South Africa)
End: July 19, 2026 (final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
Duration: 39 days
Q: How many teams are participating?
48 teams – the largest World Cup in history, with only 16 European nations among them.
Q: How many matches will be played?
104 matches total – an increase of 40 matches from the 64 games in Qatar 2022.
Q: Which countries are hosting?
Three countries jointly host:
United States (11 cities, 78 matches)
Mexico (3 cities, 13 matches)
Canada (2 cities, 13 matches)
Q: What are the host cities?
Complete list of 16 FIFA host cities:
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle (USA)
Toronto, Vancouver (Canada)
Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey (Mexico)
Q: What time do matches kick off for UK fans?
The tournament has 13 different kick-off times, ranging from 5am to 10pm BST. Nearly half of group stage matches (35 of 72) start between midnight and 5am BST. The semi-finals and final kick off at 20:00 BST.
Q: Where is the final being played?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey – just a short train ride from Manhattan.
Q: Will Messi and Ronaldo play in 2026?
Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to play on this stage for the last time in their glittering careers.
Q: Do I need a special visa for the World Cup?
The visa bond will be waived for nationals of competing countries who purchased FIFA World Cup tickets by April 15, 2026. International travelers should check visa requirements with their respective state departments.
Q: How do I access my tickets on match day?
All tickets are mobile-only and delivered via the FIFA World Cup 2026 app from May 2026. Download the app and save your FIFA account login details before match day.