FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule announced.FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule Announced. Image : FIFA

Important dates and locations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were made public on Sunday. There will be sixteen locations for the event in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Starting on June 11, 2026, it will conclude on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York.

The 2026 World Cup group stage format calls for 12 groups consisting of four teams each. There will be 104 matches played in all. There were only 64 games played in Qatar in 2022. To win the event, a team must play eight games.

Key insights from Fifa World Cup, 2026 reveal

  • Key insights from Fifa World Cup, 2026 reveal
  • FIFA has released the World Cup 2026 schedule.
  • The FIFA World Cup in 2026 will include 48 teams.
  • June 11: First game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City
  • June 19: East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium will host the 2026 World Cup final.
  • TheDallas and Atlanta will host the semi-finals and the final.
FIFA World Cup 2026 matches hosting map.
FIFA World Cup 2026 matches hosting map. (Credit: Drew Jordan & John Brandford)

This 48-team competition, which is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will conclude on July 19. The first game of the campaign will take place on June 11 at Mexico City’s famous Azteca Stadium, according to AFP.

The most inclusive and significant FIFA World Cup ever is no longer just a dream; it is now a reality, to be realized in 16 cutting-edge stadiums located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. FIFA President Gianni Infantino made this announcement.

“From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey, players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament… that will not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy.”

Also Read: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí are 2023 FIFA Best Players.

Atlanta and Dallas will host the semifinals, while Miami will play host to the third-place game. AFP reports that Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston will host the quarterfinal matches.

MetLife Stadium-New York, where Fifa World Cup 2026 Final will be played.
MetLife Stadium-New York, where Fifa World Cup 2026 Final will be played. Image Credit: AP

16 cities in three countries will host games; the majority of the matches will take place in the United States. The United States hosted the 1994 World Cup, with the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, close to Los Angeles, serving as the venue for the championship match.

Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York, the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium has hosted several international football matches, including the 2016 Copa America tournament final. It is home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets.

By Aditya Patel

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