The world is gearing up for the biggest football spectacle in history as the 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to kick off across three nations—United States, Canada, and Mexico. With a record-breaking 48 teams and 104 matches, the tournament promises an unprecedented summer of drama, excitement, and global unity. The official match schedule, released just days after the group draw, has sent fans and broadcasters into a frenzy as they map out their viewing plans and travel itineraries for what is set to be a truly historic World Cup.
For the first time ever, the World Cup will be staged by three host countries, with matches spread across 16 cities. The United States will host the lion’s share, with 78 matches, while Canada and Mexico will each stage 13 games. This expansion not only increases the number of teams and matches but also introduces new logistical challenges, as FIFA Chief Tournament Officer Manolo Zubiria explained: “It was important to strike the right balance looking at the preparation, the recovery that teams have to do in this very large footprint, the biggest World Cup ever, 16 cities, three countries, different climatic conditions, time zones, as well as try to minimize travel for fans.”
The tournament will open on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City with Mexico facing South Africa, a rematch of the 2010 opening game. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. In between, football fans will be treated to a packed schedule, with group stage matches running from June 12 to June 27 across 12 groups. Notably, 42 teams have already booked their places through qualifiers, while the remaining six spots will be filled after the UEFA and Intercontinental Playoffs in March 2026.
British fans will have plenty of reasons to tune in, with the BBC and ITV sharing coverage of the tournament. The BBC is set to broadcast Scotland’s first men’s World Cup match since 1998, when they take on Haiti on June 14. Scotland’s final group game against Brazil on June 24 will also air on the BBC, while their encounter with Morocco will be shown on ITV. England’s highly anticipated second group match against Ghana on June 23 will be broadcast by the BBC, along with their potential knockout matches in the last 32, last 16, and semi-final, should they advance. England’s other Group L fixtures—against Croatia and Panama—will be available on ITV.
There’s also hope for fans of Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. If Wales or Northern Ireland successfully navigate the March play-offs, their group match against Canada on June 12 will be shown on the BBC, as will two group fixtures for the Republic of Ireland if they qualify. Both BBC and ITV have secured the rights to broadcast the final, ensuring viewers across the UK won’t miss a moment of the action.
BBC Sport director Alex Kay-Jelski expressed his excitement: “We can’t wait to bring you the Fifa Men’s World Cup. From (hopefully) England knockout games live on BBC1 and iPlayer to Scotland’s crunch matches with Haiti and Brazil to glamour games featuring Messi, Mbappe, Ronaldo, Yamal, Salah, Haaland, and more, we will bring you the drama and analysis of the moments that matter. And the ones you can’t stay up for, we will have you covered the next morning too.” ITV’s director of sport, Niall Sloane, echoed the sentiment, stating, “We are proud to broadcast the FIFA World Cup here at ITV and ensure it stays free-to-air for the UK audience to enjoy all summer.”
Looking at the group stage, there are mouth-watering clashes lined up. Defending champions Argentina will have their group meetings with Austria and Jordan shown live on the BBC. The BBC will also air two group matches each for 2022 finalists France, five-time champions Brazil, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Some of the world’s biggest stars are expected to light up the tournament, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, and Erling Haaland.
For Team USA, the group stage presents both opportunities and challenges. Drawn in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of European Playoffs C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo), the Americans will play their matches on June 12, June 19, and June 25. Their opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be the first World Cup match played on U.S. soil in this tournament and is expected to draw a massive crowd. The U.S. has a strong recent record against its group opponents, having beaten Australia and Paraguay in recent friendlies, giving hope to fans that they can progress from the group for a fourth consecutive tournament.
SoFi Stadium itself will be a centerpiece of the World Cup, hosting eight matches, including five group games, two round of 32 ties, and a quarterfinal. The round of 32 will run from June 28 to July 3, followed by the round of 16 from July 3 to July 7. The quarterfinals will be staged at Gillette Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and Arrowhead Stadium between July 9 and 11. The semi-finals are set for July 14 and 15 at AT&T Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the third-place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium on July 18.
The detailed match schedule, released on December 7, 2025, lays out every fixture, time (in both BST and PST), and location, allowing fans to plan their summer of football. From the opening whistle in Mexico City to the final in New Jersey, the world will be watching as new legends are made and old rivalries reignite. With more teams, more matches, and more drama than ever before, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a landmark event in football history.
As anticipation builds, broadcasters, teams, and fans alike are counting down the days to what promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the beautiful game. Whether you’re following Scotland’s long-awaited return, hoping for England’s deep run, or cheering on the host nations, there’s no doubt the 2026 World Cup will deliver moments to remember. The countdown has begun, and the stage is set for football’s greatest show.
