The 2026 World Cup is the longest in history, running 39 days from 11 June to 19 July across the largest field the tournament has ever seen. Here is how the calendar breaks down.

Opening Match — 11 June

The tournament kicks off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, continuing the stadium's unique World Cup legacy after 1970 and 1986.

Group Stage — 11 to 27 June

All 48 teams play their three group matches across the opening fortnight. The 12 groups of four feed into a new knockout round, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing.

Knockout Rounds

  • Round of 32 — late June, a brand-new stage created by the 48-team format.
  • Round of 16 — early July.
  • Quarter-finals — 9 to 11 July.
  • Semi-finals — 14 and 15 July.
  • Third-place play-off — 18 July.
  • Final — 19 July at MetLife Stadium, New York / New Jersey.

What It Means for Squads

Teams that go all the way will play up to eight matches — one more than in previous tournaments — making squad depth and recovery more important than ever in the North American summer.