FIFA World Cup Schedule 2026 — Full Dates, Fixtures, Venues & Times
The FIFA World Cup schedule 2026 is the most packed and exciting in the tournament's 96-year history. Running from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament features 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 venues spread across three countries. Whether you are planning your viewing calendar or looking for the best platform to follow live action, this guide gives you every date, fixture, and kick-off time you need.
Indian fans can follow every match of the FIFA World Cup schedule 2026 live through Reddy Anna — India's trusted sports streaming platform with HD streams and live betting markets throughout the tournament.
Tournament Overview at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Host nations | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Dates | 11 June – 19 July 2026 |
| Teams | 48 |
| Total matches | 104 |
| Venues | 16 stadiums |
| Opening match | Mexico vs South Africa — Estadio Azteca, 11 June |
| Final | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey — 19 July 2026 |
This tournament runs over 39 days and includes a brand-new stage — the Round of 32 — which has never featured at any previous World Cup. Consequently, every fan has more matches to follow, more upsets to expect, and more reasons to stay glued to the action from start to finish.
Group Stage Schedule — 11 June to 27 June 2026
The group stage is the first phase of the tournament. All 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four, labelled Group A through Group L. Each team plays three matches — one against every opponent in their group. Furthermore, the top two teams in each group advance automatically to the knockout stage. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams from across all 12 groups also qualify, bringing the total to 32 teams in the knockout round.
Group Stage Dates
| Phase | Dates | Total Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 (all groups) | 11 June – 16 June 2026 | 24 matches |
| Matchday 2 (all groups) | 17 June – 22 June 2026 | 24 matches |
| Matchday 3 (all groups) | 23 June – 27 June 2026 | 24 matches |
| Group stage total | 11 June – 27 June 2026 | 72 matches |
Opening Match — Mexico vs South Africa
The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, at 3:00 PM ET on 11 June. This is the third time the Azteca has hosted a World Cup opening fixture, making it a uniquely historic moment in football history. For Indian fans, the match kicks off at 12:30 AM IST on 12 June.
All 12 Groups — Team Breakdown
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D |
| B | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff A |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti |
| D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye |
| E | Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, FIFA Playoff 2 |
| J | Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, FIFA Playoff 1 |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Notably, among the group stage fixtures, England vs Croatia in Group L — a rematch of their 2018 Semifinal — and Argentina's Group J opener, as Lionel Messi leads the defending champions in what is likely his final World Cup campaign.
Round of 32 Schedule — 28 June to 1 July 2026
The Round of 32 is the most significant new addition to the 2026 tournament. This brand-new stage features 32 qualified teams playing 16 knockout matches between 28 June and 1 July 2026, before the familiar bracket continues with the Round of 16. Every match in this stage is win-or-go-home — there are no second chances.
| Phase | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 28 June – 1 July 2026 | 16 matches |
Specifically, the specific matchups in the Round of 32 depend on which eight third-placed teams qualify from the group stage. Therefore, the full bracket only becomes clear once all 72 group stage matches are completed.
Round of 16 Schedule — 3 July to 6 July 2026
The Round of 16 will take place from 4 to 7 July 2026, with eight matches across USA venues. Consequently, this is the stage where the tournament truly intensifies — 16 of the world's best teams fighting for a Quarterfinal place.
| Phase | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 3 July – 6 July 2026 | 8 matches |
Quarterfinals Schedule — 9 July to 11 July 2026
All four Quarterfinals are hosted at American venues. The first Quarterfinal is at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on 9 July, followed by a match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 10 July. On 11 July, Quarterfinals are held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinal 1 | 9 July 2026 | Boston Stadium, Foxborough |
| Quarterfinal 2 | 10 July 2026 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| Quarterfinal 3 | 11 July 2026 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Quarterfinal 4 | 11 July 2026 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Semifinals Schedule — 14 and 15 July 2026
Moreover, the two Semifinals are among the most anticipated fixtures of the entire tournament. Semifinal 1 takes place on Tuesday, 14 July at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while Semifinal 2 is played on Wednesday, 15 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
| Match | Date | Venue | ET Time | IST Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | 14 July 2026 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | 3:00 PM ET | 12:30 AM IST (15 July) |
| Semifinal 2 | 15 July 2026 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | 3:00 PM ET | 12:30 AM IST (16 July) |
Third-Place Play-off — 18 July 2026
The Third-Place Play-off takes place on Saturday, 18 July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, at 5:00 PM ET. For Indian fans, that is 2:30 AM IST on 19 July. The two Semifinal losers compete for third place and bronze medal honours.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final — 19 July 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final is scheduled for 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kick-off is at 3:00 PM EDT, which is 8:00 PM BST and 12:30 AM IST on 20 July. MetLife Stadium holds 82,500 spectators and is located just 16 km from New York City.
The Final is expected to be watched by over 1.5 billion viewers globally — making it the most-watched single sporting event of 2026. The opening match begins in Mexico City and the tournament ends in New Jersey — a journey of 39 days and 104 matches across North America.
Complete FIFA World Cup Schedule 2026 — Stage by Stage
| Stage | Dates | Matches | Host Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 11 June – 27 June | 72 | USA, Mexico, Canada |
| Round of 32 | 28 June – 1 July | 16 | USA, Mexico, Canada |
| Round of 16 | 3 July – 6 July | 8 | USA |
| Quarterfinals | 9 July – 11 July | 4 | USA |
| Semifinals | 14 July – 15 July | 2 | USA |
| Third-Place Play-off | 18 July | 1 | USA |
| Final | 19 July | 1 | USA |
| Total | 11 June – 19 July | 104 |
IST Kick-off Time Guide for Indian Fans
Because all 16 venues are in North America, Indian fans face a significant time difference. Therefore, understanding the IST schedule ahead of time helps you plan which matches to watch live and which to follow through highlights.
| US Eastern Time (ET) | India Standard Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM ET | 9:30 PM IST |
| 3:00 PM ET | 12:30 AM IST (next day) |
| 6:00 PM ET | 3:30 AM IST |
| 9:00 PM ET | 6:30 AM IST |
Group stage daytime matches at 12:00 PM ET are therefore the most accessible for Indian viewers at 9:30 PM IST. However, evening matches and all knockout fixtures from the Quarterfinals onward are played at 3:00 PM ET — kicking off at 12:30 AM IST, which is manageable for night-owl football fans.
Key Matches to Mark in Your Calendar
With 104 matches across 39 days, these are the standout fixtures every Indian fan should prioritise:
11 June — Opening Match Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca. History, atmosphere, and the tournament begins.
Group L — England vs Croatia A rematch of their 2018 World Cup Semifinal clash, loaded with rivalry and history.
Group J — Argentina vs Austria Lionel Messi leads the defending champions in what is likely his final World Cup group stage campaign.
Group I — France vs Norway Kylian Mbappé against Erling Haaland — potentially the most individual quality on display in a single group stage game.
Group H — Spain vs Uruguay A classic encounter between the world's top-ranked side and one of South America's most experienced outfits.
19 July — The Final MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. The greatest match in football — the climax of the 2026 tournament.
How to Watch Every Match of the FIFA World Cup Schedule 2026 on Reddy Anna
Indian fans can access all 104 matches through Reddy Anna — India's trusted live sports platform. Reddy Anna provides HD live streams, real-time score updates, and live betting markets throughout the entire tournament.
Get Started in Three Steps
- Register your Reddy Anna ID — free and takes under two minutes
- Log in via the Reddyanna login page and fund your wallet using UPI, Paytm, or net banking
- Navigate to FIFA 2026 under Sports and select any live or upcoming match
Additionally, the platform is fully mobile-optimised, meaning you can follow every 2026 World Cup match from your phone, tablet, or laptop — at home or on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start? The tournament begins on 11 June 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final? The Final takes place on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey at 3:00 PM ET / 12:30 AM IST (20 July).
How many matches are in the FIFA World Cup 2026? 104 total matches — 72 in the group stage and 32 in the knockout rounds.
What is the new Round of 32? Notably, a brand-new knockout stage featuring 32 teams playing 16 winner-takes-all matches between 28 June and 1 July, before the Round of 16 begins.
Which country hosts the most FIFA World Cup 2026 matches? The USA hosts 78 of the 104 matches, including all Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final.
What time do FIFA World Cup 2026 matches start in India? Depending on the US kick-off time, matches begin between 9:30 PM IST and 6:30 AM IST.
Where can I watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in India? Follow every match live on Reddy Anna. Get your Reddy Anna ID and log in via the Reddyanna login page to access HD live streams across all 104 matches.
Disclaimer: Online betting involves financial risk. Please bet responsibly and only with funds you are comfortable using. This content is intended for users aged 18 and above only.
This schedule guide is accurate as of June 2026. Visit thereddynanna.vip for live match updates throughout the tournament.
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