FIFA World Cup 2026: Countries, Groups, Schedule, Live Streaming, and TV Channels — Complete Fan Guide

The excitement is building as the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets closer, promising the largest and most electrifying tournament in football history. For the first time, the event will be co-hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and will feature an expanded format with 48 teams competing. Fans across the globe are already gearing up to follow their favorite teams through the newly structured groups, packed match schedules, and global broadcasting options. From match timings to TV channels and streaming platforms, this complete guide will help every football fan stay connected to every thrilling moment of the action.

FIFA 2026 Host Countries and Group Format Explained

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a groundbreaking event hosted across USA, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first tri-nation collaboration in World Cup history. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 competing nations, FIFA has introduced a new group stage format: 12 groups of 4 teams each. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will move to a 32-team knockout stage. This change means more matches, more goals, and more surprises. Stadiums in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City will see massive footfall as fans from around the globe unite for this sporting spectacle. This diverse host structure is designed to create a more inclusive and accessible experience for supporters worldwide.

Match Schedule and Key Dates for Fans

Get ready for a packed summer of football as the tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, and the final is scheduled for July 19, 2026. Matches will be played across various time zones, with group stage fixtures spanning the first two weeks, followed by knockout rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand finale. The opening match is expected to be held in Mexico City, a nod to its historic football legacy, while the final may take place in a major U.S. city like New York or Los Angeles. Fans should prepare to follow a fast-moving schedule with up to four matches daily in the early stages. FIFA will release the final match fixtures, complete with venues and timings, by early 2026. Fans can use this period to plan their travel and viewing schedules in advance for a seamless experience.

FIFA World Cup 26 Group Stage fixtures
Thursday, 11 June 2026
Match 1 – Group A (Mexico #1) – Estadio Azteca Mexico City
Match 2 – Group A – Estadio Guadalajara

Friday, 12 June 2026
Match 3 – Group B (Canada #1) – Toronto Stadium
Match 4 – Group D (USA #1) – Los Angeles Stadium

Saturday, 13 June 2026
Match 5 – Group C – Boston Stadium
Match 6 – Group D – BC Place Vancouver
Match 7 – Group C – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 8 – Group B – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Sunday, 14 June 2026
Match 9 – Group E – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 10 – Group E – Houston Stadium
Match 11 – Group F – Dallas Stadium
Match 12 – Group F – Estadio Monterrey

Monday, 15 June 2026
Match 13 – Group H – Miami Stadium
Match 14 – Group H – Atlanta Stadium
Match 15 – Group G – Los Angeles Stadium
Match 16 – Group G – Seattle Stadium

Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Match 17 – Group I – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 18 – Group I – Boston Stadium
Match 19 – Group J – Kansas City Stadium
Match 20 – Group J – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Match 21 – Group L – Toronto Stadium
Match 22 – Group L – Dallas Stadium
Match 23 – Group K – Houston Stadium
Match 24 – Group K – Estadio Azteca Mexico City

FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities
Check out the 16 cities that will play host to FIFA World Cup 26™.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Match 25 – Group A – Atlanta Stadium
Match 26 – Group B – Los Angeles Stadium
Match 27 – Group B – (Canada #2) – BC Place Vancouver
Match 28 – Group A – (Mexico #2) – Estadio Guadalajara

Friday, 19 June 2026
Match 29 – Group C – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 30 – Group C – Boston Stadium
Match 31 – Group D – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Match 32 – Group D (USA #2) – Seattle Stadium

Saturday, 20 June 2026
Match 33 – Group E – Toronto Stadium
Match 34 – Group E – Kansas City Stadium
Match 35 – Group F – Houston Stadium
Match 36 – Group F – Estadio Monterrey

Sunday, 21 June 2026
Match 37 – Group H – Miami Stadium
Match 38 – Group H – Atlanta Stadium
Match 39 – Group G – Los Angeles Stadium
Match 40 – Group G – BC Place Vancouver

Monday, 22 June 2026
Match 41 – Group I – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 42 – Group I – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 43 – Group J – Dallas Stadium
Match 44 – Group J – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Match 45 – Group L – Boston Stadium
Match 46 – Group L – Toronto Stadium
Match 47 – Group K – Houston Stadium
Match 48 – Group K – Estadio Guadalajara

Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Match 49 – Group C – Miami Stadium
Match 50 – Group C – Atlanta Stadium
Match 51 – Group B (Canada #3) – BC Place Vancouver
Match 52 – Group B – Seattle Stadium
Match 53 – Group A – (Mexico #3) – Estadio Azteca Mexico City
Match 54 – Group A – Estadio Monterrey

Thursday, 25 June 2026
Match 55 – Group E – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 56 – Group E – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 57 – Group F – Dallas Stadium
Match 58 – Group F – Kansas City Stadium
Match 59 – Group D – (USA #3) – Los Angeles Stadium
Match 60 – Group D – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Friday, 26 June 2026
Match 61 – Group I – Boston Stadium
Match 62 – Group I – Toronto Stadium
Match 63 – Group G – Seattle Stadium
Match 64 – Group G – BC Place Vancouver
Match 65 – Group H – Houston Stadium
Match 66 – Group H – Estadio Guadalajara

Saturday, 27 June 2026
Match 67 – Group L – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 68 – Group L – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 69 – Group J – Kansas City Stadium
Match 70 – Group J – Dallas Stadium
Match 71 – Group K – Miami Stadium
Match 72 – Group K – Atlanta Stadium

FIFA World Cup 26 – Round of 32 fixtures
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Match 73 – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up – Los Angeles Stadium

Monday, 29 June 2026
Match 74 – Group E winners v Group A/B/C/D/F third place – Boston Stadium
Match 75 – Group F winners v Group C runners-up – Estadio Monterrey
Match 76 – Group C winners v Group F runners-up – Houston Stadium

Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Match 77 – Group I winners v Group C/D/F/G/H third place – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 78 – Group E runners up v Group I runners-up – Dallas Stadium
Match 79 – Group A winners v Group C/E/F/H/I third place – Estadio Azteca Mexico City

Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Match 80 – Group L winners v Group E/H/I/J/K third place – Atlanta Stadium
Match 81 – Group D winners v Group B/E/F/I/J third place – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Match 82 – Group G winners v Group A/E/H/I/J third place – Seattle Stadium

Thursday, 2 July 2026
Match 83 – Group K runners-up v Group L runners-up – Toronto Stadium
Match 84 – Group H winners v Group J runners-up – Los Angeles Stadium
Match 85 – Group B winners v Group E/F/G/I/J third place – BC Place Vancouver

Friday, 3 July 2026
Match 86 – Group J winners v Group H runners-up – Miami Stadium
Match 87 – Group K winners v Group D/E/I/J/L third place – Kansas City Stadium
Match 88 – Group D runners-up v Group G runners-up – Dallas Stadium

FIFA World Cup 26 Round of 16 fixtures
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Match 89 – Winner match 74 v Winner match 77 – Philadelphia Stadium
Match 90 – Winner match 73 v Winner match 75 – Houston Stadium

Sunday, 5 July 2026
Match 91 – Winner match 76 v Winner match 78 – New York New Jersey Stadium
Match 92 – Winner match 79 v Winner match 80 – Estadio Azteca Mexico City

Monday, 6 July 2026
Match 93 – Winner match 83 v Winner match 84 – Dallas Stadium
Match 94 – Winner match 81 v Winner match 82 – Seattle Stadium

Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Match 95 – Winner match 86 v Winner match 88 – Atlanta Stadium
Match 96 – Winner match 85 v Winner match 87 – BC Place Vancouver

FIFA World Cup 26 quarter-final fixtures
Thursday, 9 July 2026
Match 97 – Winner match 89 v Winner match 90 – Boston Stadium

Friday, 10 July 2026
Match 98 – Winner match 93 v Winner match 94 – Los Angeles Stadium

Saturday, 11 July 2026
Match 99 – Winner match 91 v Winner match 92 – Miami Stadium
Match 100 – Winner match 95 v Winner match 96 – Kansas City Stadium

FIFA World Cup 26 semi-final fixtures
Tuesday, 14 July 2026
Match 101 – Winner match 97 v Winner match 98 – Dallas Stadium

Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Match 102 – Winner match 99 v Winner match 100 – Atlanta Stadium

FIFA World Cup 26 bronze final
Saturday, 18 July 2026
Match 103 – Loser match 101 v Loser match 102 – Miami Stadium

FIFA World Cup 26 Final
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Match 104 – Winner match 101 v Winner match 102 – New York New Jersey Stadium

Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Live

Whether you’re cheering from home or on the move, watching FIFA World Cup live will be easier than ever. In the United States, major networks like Fox Sports and Telemundo will broadcast matches in English and Spanish respectively. Canadian viewers can tune in via CTV and TSN, while fans in Mexico can rely on TV Azteca and Televisa. For streaming lovers, platforms like Peacock, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and FIFA’s official app will offer HD streaming and match replays. FIFA is also expected to provide real-time highlights and analytics through its digital platforms, making it easier for fans to follow scores and updates on the go. For international fans, each country will have designated broadcasters confirmed closer to the tournament’s launch.

Complete Country and Broadcaster Table

FAQs

What are the FIFA 2026 World Cup dates?

The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Which countries are hosting FIFA 2026?

The United States, Canada, and Mexico are co-hosting the event.

How many teams will participate in 2026?

A total of 48 teams will compete in the tournament.

Where can I stream matches online?

You can stream matches via apps like Peacock, TSN, and JioCinema.