New FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule released, detailing venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches.

After a spectacular Final Draw that revealed every matchup, supporters of the 42 qualified nations — along with fans of the 22 teams still competing for the last six spots — now know when and where their FIFA World Cup™ journey will begin. During a live event in Washington, D.C., FIFA Legends Ronaldo Nazário, Francesco Totti, Hristo Stoichkov and Alexi Lalas joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino as he presented the updated tournament match schedule, crafted to ensure optimal conditions for teams, spectators, and travelling fans.

Canada, Mexico and the USA — the only teams that already knew their host venues — learned their opponents and kick-off times within the last day. Mexico’s El Tri will launch the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup by facing South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, 11 June, at 13:00 local time (21:00 CET). The opening match, rich with emotion and history, will recreate the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ curtain-raiser and reunite coaches Javier Aguirre and Hugo Broos, whose teams last clashed at the same venue during the 1986 World Cup.

The excitement continues the next day in Toronto, where Canada will welcome the winner of the European play-off involving Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 15:00 local time (21:00 CET). Later that day, the energy will stretch across the continent as the USA begin their campaign in Los Angeles with their first official match against Paraguay at 18:00 local time (03:00 CET, 22:00 in Asunción), a moment set to inspire fans nationwide.

Among the standout group-stage matchups is the Group L meeting between England and Croatia — a rematch of their intense 2018 semi-final — scheduled for Wednesday, 17 June, at Dallas Stadium at 15:00 local time (22:00 CET). The stadium’s retractable roof and climate control will guarantee comfortable playing and viewing conditions, while accommodating live audiences across Europe. A similar approach influenced match 10, where Curaçao — the smallest nation ever to compete at a FIFA World Cup — will make its historic tournament debut under coach Dick Advocaat against four-time champions Germany at Houston Stadium on Sunday, 14 June, at 12:00 local time (19:00 CET, 13:00 in Willemstad).

Another highlight arrives on Saturday, 13 June, when Brazil face Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium at 18:00 local time (00:00 CET, 19:00 in Brasília, 23:00 in Rabat), a showdown expected to captivate the tri-state area. Monterrey will also mark an important milestone on Saturday, 20 June: it will host the 1,000th FIFA World Cup match, featuring Tunisia versus Japan — a repeat of their FIFA World Cup 2022™ encounter — at 22:00 local time (06:00 CET, 05:00 in Tunis, 13:00 in Tokyo).

How was the match schedule created?
Since the initial version was released in February 2024, the schedule has been carefully structured to reduce travel for teams and fans and to maximise rest days. The finalised venue allocations and kick-off times are designed to prioritise player welfare, enhance fan experience, and ensure that global audiences can follow the action across time zones.

The process involved detailed technical reviews of every venue — including climate conditions, cooling systems, transport options and security — and extensive collaboration across FIFA departments such as competition management, team services, medical, broadcasting, and ticketing.

The schedule will be officially finalised in March, once the remaining play-offs conclude and the last six teams qualify.