World Cup 2026 Schedule — Match Dates, Kickoff Times & Full Calendar
📺 The Short Answer: Tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. Group stage: June 11-27. Round of 32: June 28-July 3. Round of 16: July 4-7. Quarterfinals: July 9-11. Semifinals: July 14-15. Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Tournament Dates at a Glance
48 teams. 104 matches. 39 days. June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group Stage — June 11-27 (72 matches)
17 days of football. 4-6 matches per day across multiple time slots. Key dates: June 11 (opening match), June 25-27 (final group matchdays with simultaneous kickoffs). The group stage draw happens in December 2025.
Round of 32 — June 28-July 3 (16 matches)
The new round. Six days of knockout football. 32 teams still alive, every match is win-or-go-home.
Round of 16 — July 4-7 (8 matches)
Four days. The traditional starting point of the knockout stage. Only serious contenders remain.
Quarterfinals — July 9-11 (4 matches)
Down to 8. Two matches per day. Universally the best round of the tournament.
Semifinals — July 14-15 (2 matches)
The final four. One match each day.
Third-Place Match — July 18
Two heartbroken semifinal losers play for bronze.
World Cup 2026 Final — July 19
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. 82,500 seats. ~1.5 billion viewers. Mark your calendar.