When is the World Cup 2026 final?

The final is on 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium in the New York and New Jersey area, closing out roughly five and a half weeks of football.

Where is the World Cup 2026 being held?

It is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities, the first World Cup spread over three host nations.

How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?

48 teams, expanded from 32. They are split into 12 groups of four, and a record 104 matches are played across the tournament.

When Does the World Cup 2026 Start? Dates, Hosts & Schedule

Fanzone · 2 June 2026 · 2 min read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on 11 June 2026 and the final is on 19 July 2026. It's the first World Cup hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the first with 48 teams.

The key dates

Opening match: 11 June 2026
Group stage: mid-June through late June
Knockout rounds: late June into July
Final: 19 July 2026

Exact kick-off times depend on your timezone (matches span US, Canadian and Mexican venues). The easiest way to see every fixture in your local time is the live schedule:

See every fixture in your timezoneLive group tables and the full schedule, localised automatically.View fixtures →

Why it's different this year

2026 is the biggest World Cup ever: 48 teams (up from 32), split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, go through to a 32-team knockout round. That's more football, and more chances for an underdog to sneak through.

Get your crew involved

The tournament is more fun when everyone's got a stake in it — and it's not too late to join in. Two quick ways to get your office, family or mates playing:

Run a sweepstake. Everyone's randomly drawn a team, last one standing wins.
Print a wall chart. Stick it on the wall and fill it in as results come in.

Run a World Cup sweepstakeDraw all 48 teams at random and share one link.Start a sweepstake →

Frequently asked questions

When does the World Cup 2026 start?: The 2026 FIFA World Cup started on 11 June 2026, with the opening match in Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca. The group stage runs across mid-to-late June.
When is the World Cup 2026 final?: The final is on 19 July 2026, at MetLife Stadium in the New York and New Jersey area, closing out roughly five and a half weeks of football.
Where is the World Cup 2026 being held?: It is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities, the first World Cup spread over three host nations.
How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?: 48 teams, expanded from 32. They are split into 12 groups of four, and a record 104 matches are played across the tournament.