2026 World Cup: Find Out Expanded Format Groups and Full Match Schedule

As the world edges closer to the biggest FIFA 2026 World Cup in history, football fans get a clearer picture of what the expanded 48-team tournament will look like when it kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June 2026.

FIFA on Friday released the full group-stage draw, complete match schedule and competition format, a detailed look at how the first-ever 48-team tournament and first-ever tri-hosted World Cup will unfold.

How the 2026 World Cup Format Works

For the first time, 48 teams will compete, divided into 12 groups of four teams each. Every team will play three group-stage matches, one against each opponent.

FIFA confirmed the tournament will feature:

• 12 groups of four teams each

• Three group-stage matches per team

• Top two teams in each group advancing

• Eight best third-place teams also qualifying

The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout round, as has been the tradition. But with the expanded field, an additional layer has been added: the eight best third-place teams will also progress, creating an unprecedented Round of 32.

This means 32 teams will progress to the knockout stage, creating an additional round of knockout fixtures never seen before.

FIFA officials described the format as a balance of fairness and global opportunity, while preserving competitive edge.

Knockout Stage Structure

In the new format:

• All 12 group winners advance

• All 12 runners-up advance

• The eight strongest third-place teams also move on

• A new Round of 32 is added to the knockout phase

As usual, the knockout phase will be a straight elimination battle:

This format will remain consistent from the Round of 32 all the way to the final on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

How the Draw Works and Group Breakdown

The draw assigned 48 teams and placeholders still battling through playoffs into 12 groups. Teams were seeded based on FIFA rankings, continental considerations, and playoff pathways.

All group placements remain as drawn, with full fixtures released for all cities across the three host nations.

Group-Stage Tiebreakers: How Teams Advance

If teams finish level on points, the following tiebreakers apply in order:

1. Points obtained in matches among tied teams

2. Goal difference in matches among tied teams

3. Goals scored in matches among tied teams

If still tied, the same criteria are reapplied exclusively among those teams.

Remaining tiebreakers are:

4. Goal difference in all group matches

5. Goals scored in all group matches

6. Fair play score

7. FIFA world ranking

How the Best Third-Place Teams Will Be Ranked

With eight third-place teams advancing, FIFA will evaluate them based on:

1. Points

2. Goal difference

3. Goals scored

4. Fair play

5. FIFA ranking

The 2026 edition will be the first World Cup in history where third-place finishers have a direct route into the expanded knockout phase.

From Opening Night to the Final

The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, with co-host Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City at 1 p.m. local time.

Key early matches include:

• USA vs Paraguay (June 12, Inglewood)

• Brazil vs Morocco (June 13, East Rutherford)

• Germany vs Curaçao (June 14, Houston)

• France vs Senegal (June 16, New Jersey)

• England vs Croatia (June 17, Arlington)

• Argentina vs Algeria (June 16, Kansas City)

The group stage concludes on June 27, with crucial ties determining the final knockout entrants.

KNOCKOUT ROUNDS: A 32-Team Sprint to Glory

Round of 32 — June 28 to July 3

The historic first Round of 32 begins June 28, with group runners-up clashing early before giants enter the fray in later fixtures. Matchups will depend on group rankings, including the eight advancing third-place teams.

Round of 16 — July 4 to July 7

Eight do-or-die fixtures across Houston, Philadelphia, East Rutherford, Mexico City, Arlington, Seattle, Atlanta and Vancouver.

Quarterfinals — July 9 to July 11

Semifinals — July 14 & 15

• Arlington, Texas

• Atlanta, Georgia

Third-Place Match — July 18

Miami Gardens, Florida

THE FINAL — July 19, 2026

East Rutherford, New Jersey — 5 p.m. ET
The world champion will be crowned at MetLife Stadium.

FULL 2026 WORLD CUP MATCH SCHEDULE

(All dates, times, and venues included exactly as scheduled)

GROUP STAGE

Thursday, June 11

• Group A: Mexico vs South Africa — Mexico City, 1 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET

• Group A: South Korea vs UEFA Playoff Path 2 Winner — Zapopan, Mexico, 8 p.m. local / 10 p.m. ET

Friday, June 12

• Group B: Canada vs UEFA Playoff Path 1 Winner — Toronto, 3 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET

• Group D: United States vs Paraguay — Inglewood, California, 9 p.m. local / 12 a.m. ET (6/13)

Saturday, June 13

• Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland — Santa Clara, California, 12 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET

• Group C: Brazil vs Morocco — East Rutherford, New Jersey, 6 p.m. local / 6 p.m. ET

• Group C: Haiti vs Scotland — Foxborough, Massachusetts, 9 p.m. local / 9 p.m. ET

• Group D: Australia vs UEFA Playoff Path 3 Winner — Vancouver, 9 p.m. local / 12 a.m. ET (6/14)

Sunday, June 14

• Group E: Germany vs Curaçao — Houston, 12 p.m. local / 1 p.m. ET

• Group F: Netherlands vs Japan — Arlington, Texas, 3 p.m. local / 4 p.m. ET

• Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — Philadelphia, 7 p.m. local / 7 p.m. ET

• Group F: UEFA Playoff Path 2 Winner vs Tunisia — Guadalupe, Mexico, 8 p.m. local / 10 p.m. ET

Monday, June 15

• Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde — Atlanta, 12 p.m. local / 1 p.m. ET

• Group G: Belgium vs Egypt — Seattle, 3 p.m. local / 6 p.m. ET

• Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Miami Gardens, Florida, 6 p.m. local / 6 p.m. ET

• Group G: Iran vs New Zealand — Inglewood, California, 9 p.m. local / 12 a.m. ET (6/16)

Tuesday, June 16

• Group I: France vs Senegal — East Rutherford, New Jersey, 3 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET

• Group I: FIFA Playoff Winner 2 vs Norway — Foxborough, Massachusetts, 6 p.m. local / 6 p.m. ET

• Group J: Argentina vs Algeria — Kansas City, Missouri, 9 p.m. local / 10 p.m. ET

• Group J: Austria vs Jordan — Santa Clara, California, 9 p.m. local / 12 a.m. ET (6/17)

Wednesday, June 17

• Group K: Portugal vs FIFA Playoff Winner 1 — Houston, 12 p.m. local / 1 p.m. ET

• Group L: England vs Croatia — Arlington, Texas, 3 p.m. local / 4 p.m. ET

• Group L: Ghana vs Panama — Toronto, 7 p.m. local / 7 p.m. ET

• Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia — Mexico City, 10 p.m. local / 12 a.m. ET (6/18)