The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has released the complete match schedule for the 2026 World Cup, a day after finalising the groups for the expanded 48-team tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 104-game tournament will start on June 11 with a Mexico vs South Africa clash in Mexico City. Defending champions Argentina will begin their title defence against Algeria on June 16.
Leaders gathered amid snowfall in Washington’s Kennedy Centre for a special ceremony organised for the draws. At the event, U.S. President Donald Trump received a newly created peace prize from FIFA. During the ceremony, President Trump, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney each stepped forward to draw plastic spheres from separate bowls. Each sphere carried the name of its own country.
The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A total of 78 matches will be hosted in the United States, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico. South Korea, along with Canada and Mexico, is one of only three teams without games in the US.
