Group Stage Schedule
World Cup 2026 Schedule — FAQs
What is the full schedule for the 2026 World Cup?
Group stage (Matchdays 1–3): June 11–27. Round of 32: June 28–July 3. Round of 16: July 4–7. Quarterfinals: July 9–11. Semifinals: July 14–15. Third Place match: July 18. Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium, NJ.
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the opening match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
When does the 2026 World Cup group stage end?
The group stage ends June 27, 2026. All 12 groups play their Matchday 3 games simultaneously on that final day — both matches within each group kick off at the same time to prevent result manipulation.
When do World Cup 2026 knockout games begin?
The knockout stage begins June 28, 2026, with the first Round of 32 game — the day after the group stage concludes.
Are World Cup 2026 game times shown in Eastern Time?
Yes. All game times on this site are displayed in Eastern Time (ET). The most common kickoff windows are 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 9:00 PM ET.
How many World Cup games are there per day?
Group stage days typically have 2–4 games. Knockout round days generally have 2 games per day. Semifinal and Final days have 1 game each.
Are there World Cup 2026 games on the 4th of July?
Yes — July 4, 2026 falls during the Round of 16. Expect multiple high-profile knockout elimination games on Independence Day, making it a massive sports day in the United States.
What channel is each World Cup 2026 game on?
In the USA, games split between Fox, FS1, FS2 (English) and Telemundo, Universo (Spanish). The highest-profile matches — USA group games, Semifinals, and Final — air on Fox's main broadcast network (free over-the-air).
How can I print or download the 2026 World Cup schedule?
Use your browser's print/PDF function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) on this schedule page. Each round also has its own dedicated page for cleaner date-by-date browsing.
When is the last day of the 2026 World Cup?
Sunday, July 19, 2026 — the date of the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
Are any World Cup 2026 games on weekends?
Yes. The schedule spans all days of the week. Multiple group stage and knockout games fall on Saturdays and Sundays. The Final itself is on a Sunday.
How many games are played in the group stage vs. knockout stage?
Group stage: 72 games (12 groups × 6 each). Knockout stage: 32 games (16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1). Total: 104 games.