The FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially the biggest football tournament ever planned. With more teams, more cities, and more matches, fans are already looking for details on how to be part of the action.
Here is everything you need to know about the venues, timings, and how to watch the games.
1. Where is it happening? (16 Host Cities)
The tournament is spread across North America. Matches will be held in 16 iconic cities:
- United States: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Kansas City, Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, and Seattle.
- Mexico: Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
- Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.
2. Match Schedule & Timings for FIFA World Cup 2026
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, and the final will take place on July 19, 2026.
- Opening Match: June 11 at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City).
- The Final: July 19 at the MetLife Stadium (New Jersey, USA).
- Kick-off Timings: Because the tournament covers four different time zones, matches will be played throughout the day. For fans in Asia and Europe, many games will be late at night or early in the morning.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Matches & Fixtures
| Date | Time (IST approx.) | Match | Venue |
| 11 June 2026 | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | Mexico vs South Africa (Opening) | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 11 June 2026 | 8:00 AM (Next Day) | South Korea vs Playoff Winner D | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| 12 June 2026 | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | Canada vs Playoff Winner A | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 12 June 2026 | 7:00 AM (Next Day) | USA vs Paraguay | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 13 June 2026 | 4:00 AM (Next Day) | Brazil vs Morocco | MetLife Stadium, NY/NJ |
| 14 June 2026 | 11:00 PM | Germany vs Curaçao | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 14 June 2026 | 2:00 AM (Next Day) | Netherlands vs Japan | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 15 June 2026 | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | Spain vs Cape Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 16 June 2026 | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | France vs Senegal | MetLife Stadium, NY/NJ |
| 16 June 2026 | 7:00 AM (Next Day) | Argentina vs Algeria | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| 17 June 2026 | 2:00 AM (Next Day) | England vs Croatia | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 17 June 2026 | 11:00 PM | Portugal vs Playoff Winner 1 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
Knockout Stage & Finals
- Round of 32: 28 June – 3 July 2026
- Round of 16: 4 July – 7 July 2026
- Quarter-finals: 9 July – 11 July 2026
- Semi-finals: 14 July & 15 July 2026
- Third Place Play-off: 18 July 2026 (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami)
- FINAL: 19 July 2026 (MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey)
3. How to Buy Tickets for FIFA World Cup 2026
Tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are highly in demand. Here is how you can get them:
- Official Source: Tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA.com/tickets.
- Registration: You should register your interest on the FIFA portal right now to receive alerts when the “Random Selection Draw” (lottery) begins.
- Resale: Avoid buying from third-party websites to stay safe from scams. Only use the official FIFA resale platform.
4. Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 (TV Channels & Live Streaming)
If you aren’t traveling to the stadium, you can watch it from home. Broadcasters vary by country:
- USA: Fox Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish).
- UK: BBC and ITV.
- India: Sports18 and the JioCinema app (Free streaming).
- Global: Most countries will offer live streaming through their national sports networks.
5. Why this World Cup is Unique
- 48 Teams: The expansion means more countries from Asia and Africa will get a chance to play.
- Travel: Teams and fans will travel thousands of miles between cities like Vancouver and Mexico City.
- Half-time Show: FIFA has confirmed a major musical performance during the final, similar to the NFL Super Bowl.
Stay Tuned for FIFA World Cup 2026 Updates!
