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2026 World Cup Schedule, Results, Groups and Viewing Details

The qualifying playoffs have wrapped up, confirming all 48 teams competing this summer across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament has been organized into 12 groups of four teams each, with matches kicking off June 11.

Host Nations’ Group Assignments and Opening Matches

United States earned an automatic spot as co-hosts and will compete in Group D. Their first game is June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, facing Paraguay, followed by matches against Australia and Türkiye.

Canada appears in Group B and opens June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto’s BMO Field. They will also meet Qatar and Switzerland during the group stage.

Mexico had the honor of hosting the tournament opener, defeating South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca. Their group opponents include Korea Republic and Czechia in Group A.

Qualified Teams by Confederation

  • AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq
  • CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
  • CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
  • CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
  • OFC: New Zealand
  • UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia

Tournament Format and Advancement Criteria

The group stage involves each team playing three matches within their group. The top two from each group move on to the knockout rounds, joined by the eight best third-place teams, making 32 teams advancing. Tie situations are decided by goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head records, fair play points, and finally drawing lots if necessary.

This edition introduces a new system to keep the highest-ranked teams apart until the semifinals, enhancing balance. For example, Spain and defending champions Argentina, ranked first and second respectively, were placed in separate brackets. The same separation applies to France (third) and England (fourth).

Knockout Stage Schedule

The Round of 32 begins June 28, with multiple matches daily across venues including SoFi Stadium, NRG Stadium, Gillette Stadium, and Estadio Azteca. The Round of 16 runs July 4-7, quarterfinals July 9-11, semifinals on July 14-15, third-place match July 18, and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Engage With the Tournament

2026 Soccer Pick Em with FOX One invites fans to make predictions, earn points, and compete in public or private groups. Some feature groups include Yahoo Sports personalities and soccer analysts.

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