With just 30 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off, here is your complete guide to the first-ever tournament hosted by three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This edition also debuts a historic format featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups.
The action begins on June 11, 2026, when Mexico faces South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in the opening match. The group stage runs for 17 days, ending June 27, before a brand-new round—the round of 32—takes place from June 28 to July 3. The round of 16 follows from July 4-7, with quarterfinals scheduled for July 9-11. Semifinals will be held in Dallas on July 14 and Atlanta on July 15. The third-place match is set for July 18 in Miami, and the grand final will crown the champion on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Brazil, placed in Group C, has confirmed match times for the group stage. The Seleção opens against Morocco on June 13 at 7:00 PM local time at MetLife Stadium, then faces Haiti on June 19 at 9:30 PM at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and wraps up against Scotland on June 24 at 7:00 PM at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
If Brazil finishes first in the group, their potential path would be:
– Second round: June 29 (Monday), 2:00 PM Brasília time, in Houston
– Round of 16: July 5 (Sunday), 5:00 PM Brasília time, in New Jersey/New York
– Quarterfinals: July 11 (Saturday), 6:00 PM Brasília time, in Miami
– Semifinal: July 15 (Wednesday), 4:00 PM Brasília time, in Atlanta
– Final: July 19 (Sunday), 4:00 PM Brasília time, in New Jersey/New York
If Brazil finishes second in the group, their potential path would be:
– Second round: June 29 (Monday), 10:00 PM Brasília time, in Monterrey
– Round of 16: July 4 (Saturday), 2:00 PM Brasília time, in Houston
– Quarterfinals: July 9 (Thursday), 5:00 PM Brasília time, in Boston
– Semifinal: July 14 (Tuesday), 4:00 PM Brasília time, in Dallas
– Final: July 19 (Sunday), 4:00 PM Brasília time, in New Jersey/New York
### Groups for the 2026 World Cup: 48 Teams Competing for the Trophy
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
### Host Cities and Stadiums: The North American Map
For the first time, the tournament is split across three nations, with 16 cities hosting matches. In Mexico, games will take place in Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Guadalajara), and Monterrey (Estadio Monterrey). Canada will host in Toronto (Toronto Stadium) and Vancouver (BC Place). In the United States, matches will be held in 11 cities, including Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, Kansas City, and San Francisco Bay Area.