FIFA announces 2026 World Cup schedule, Argentina vs Algeria in opener

The complete schedule for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been unveiled, setting the stage for what promises to be a historic edition of football’s premier tournament. Defending champions Argentina will kick off their title defence against Algeria on June 16.

The highly anticipated final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with a 3 PM ET kickoff. This timing ensures prime-time viewing across Europe at 9 PM and in the United Kingdom at 8 PM.

The tournament will officially begin with the opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City at 3 PM ET. The group stage concludes on June 27, featuring marquee clashes including Argentina and Portugal, led by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, respectively, as well as a star-studded England squad boasting Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, and Phil Foden. Croatia, who finished third in 2022, will also be in action on the final day of the group stage.

The knockout rounds will follow a packed schedule: the round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3, the round of 16 from July 4 to 7, quarterfinals from July 9 to 11, and semifinals on July 14 and 15. A total of 104 matches will be played across the three host nations, 78 in the USA, and 13 each in Canada and Mexico. The tournament’s climactic quarterfinal-to-final stretch will be held entirely in the United States, with Los Angeles, Boston, Kansas City, and Miami hosting quarterfinals; Dallas and Atlanta hosting semifinals; and New Jersey set for the final.

The United States’ first-round matches feature a 9 PM ET clash against Paraguay in Inglewood on June 12, a 3 PM ET encounter with Australia in Seattle on June 19, and a 7 PM ET game on June 25 against either Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo at SoFi Stadium. South Korea, alongside Canada and Mexico, will not host any first-round games in the US.

With the expanded 48-team format and venues spanning North America, the 2026 edition promises global football fans a month of exhilarating matches, high-profile encounters, and unforgettable moments.