The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest tournament in history, with 48 nations battling it out across 104 matches in 39 days. Hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this marks the first time three countries will co-host the event, and the first time North America has welcomed the World Cup in 32 years.

Defending champions Argentina, led by the legendary Lionel Messi, will look to retain the trophy they won in Qatar 2022. Meanwhile, debutants Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan are ready to make their mark on the global stage. The action kicks off in Mexico and culminates in the United States, promising a summer of unforgettable football.

Here's everything you need to know about the groups, format, and full match schedule for World Cup 2026.

Groups at a Glance
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye
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, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Key Dates and Venues
The tournament opens on June 11 at 3:00 PM local time (21:00 GMT) at the iconic Mexico City Stadium. The grand finale takes place on July 19 at 3:00 PM local time (20:00 GMT) at MetLife Stadium, rebranded as the New York New Jersey Stadium for the event. In a move to prevent ambush marketing, FIFA has renamed all venues after their host cities—so SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles becomes the Los Angeles Stadium, and so on. Sixteen world-class venues across the three host nations will set the stage for every moment of drama.

Tournament Format
For the first time, the World Cup features a 48-team group stage, followed by four knockout rounds. After the group phase, the competition moves straight to a round of 32, then the round of 16, four quarterfinals, two semifinals, and finally the championship match. This expanded format means more nations, more matches, and more excitement than ever before.

Whether you're cheering for a powerhouse like Brazil or a first-timer like Uzbekistan, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a celebration of global football. Gear up for the biggest tournament on earth and get ready to support your team in style.