FIFA 2026 World Cup schedule: The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest edition of the global football tournament ever, has unveiled its schedule and final venue, bringing excitement to fans across North America.
MetLife Stadium, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets, will host the grand finale on July 19, 2026, marking the first time the championship match will be held in New Jersey. The stadium, familiar to NFL fans, previously hosted the Copa America Centenario final in 2016.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca will kick off the festivities on June 11th, making Mexico the first nation to host the World Cup for a third time. This historic venue, renowned for its passionate atmosphere, witnessed two legendary finals in 1970 and 1986.
Canada, co-hosting alongside the US and Mexico, will stage its first-ever World Cup match in Toronto on June 12th. They, along with the US, will see their national teams play all their group stage matches within their own borders, fostering home-field advantage.
The tournament expands to 48 teams and 104 matches, with an additional knockout round compared to previous editions. To manage the spread across 16 host cities, teams will be grouped into three regions (east, central, and west) for easier travel and logistics.
Key highlights of FIFA 2026 World Cup schedule
- 13 games each for Canada and Mexico: Toronto and Vancouver will host 10 group stage matches each for Canada, while Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey will hold similar numbers for Mexico.
- 11 US cities will share the remaining tournament matches, with Los Angeles hosting two group stage games for the US team.
- Quarter-finals onwards: Matches will shift entirely to the US, with Atlanta and Dallas hosting the semi-finals, Miami taking the third-place playoff, and Philadelphia hosting a Round of 16 game on July 4th.
Quotes from coaches:
- Mexico coach Jaime Lozano: “Pressure on us, but also happy to open the tournament. A special day for our team.”
- US coach Gregg Berhalter: “We’re counting on the fans’ getting behind us and connecting with our players.”
- Canada interim coach Mauro Biello: “Excited to win our first game at home and move on to the next round.”
This expanded and geographically diverse World Cup promises an exciting and accessible experience for fans across North America and beyond. Get ready to witness history in the making as the beautiful game takes center stage!
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