FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule: Full fixtures, match dates, venues, and how to buy tickets – Check details

In what will be the first-ever World Cup hosted by three countries, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to redefine the scale of global football. The first game will be held on June 11, 2026, and the finale will be on July 19, 2026. It will host 104 matches. After Argentina’s intense victory over France in the 2022 final, it has been keeping the world's expectations at a record high.
When and where will the FIFA World Cup 2026 take place?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged in 16 host cities in North America, with each country providing venues for various stages of the tournament. Here is the official list of venues:

• United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
• Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
• Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey

The schedule is mentioned below:

• Group stage: 11 June – 27 June, 2026
• Round of 32: 28 June – 3 July, 2026
• Round of 16: 4 July – 7 July, 2026
• Quarterfinals: 9 July – 11 July, 2026
• Semifinals: 14 July – 15 July, 2026
• Third-place play-off: 18 July, 2026
• Final: 19 July, 2026

The final match will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will offer one of the most luxurious matchday experiences the tournament has ever featured.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 format: More teams, more matches, more excitement
A record 48 national teams will gather at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history with a new knockout-round and group-stage format. There will be a 12-group system with four teams in each group. Two teams from each group, along with the eight top third-placed teams, will receive qualification for the Round of 32.
How to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets
Four categories of tickets have been defined by FIFA for the 2026 tournament, but the general sale has not yet begun in most countries, including India. Though tickets can now be bought in the United States to get hospitality packages, sales for the general tickets will commence globally later in 2025. The first step is to create a FIFA account. Go to FIFA's official ticketing portal and sign up with your details to receive ticket phase notifications.
Ticket types offered:

• Team tickets – Support a national team throughout the tournament.
• Stadium tickets – Watch all the matches held in one stadium.
• Single match tickets – Buy tickets for one match.
• Hospitality packages – Extra packages with luxuries such as pitch-side lounges and exclusive suites.

The prices would be a maximum of £55,000 (approximately ₹62.3 lakh).
FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification and automatic host spots
Though the United States, Mexico, and Canada will qualify automatically since they are hosts, 45 teams will qualify through regional qualifiers. Qualification continues since continental associations hold their tournaments and play-offs.
Also Read: Brazil appoint Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of 2026 World Cup
With historic transformation, mass participation, and record-breaking scale, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the most ambitious football tournament ever to host. Fans are encouraged to stay informed through FIFA's official channels for ticketing, match dates, and stadium details.