The opening match will see hosts Mexico face South Africa in Mexico City, reviving memories of the first game of the 2010 World Cup, which was also contested between the two nations when South Africa hosted the tournament.
For the first time in the competition’s history, 48 countries will participate, expanding the tournament from its traditional 32-team format. Africa will have a strong presence, with 10 nations representing the continent at the global showpiece.
The group stage will run from June 11 to June 27, with teams competing across 12 groups in a bid to secure places in the knockout rounds.
Among the headline fixtures of the opening phase are Brazil’s clash with Morocco, France’s meeting with Senegal, Argentina’s encounter with Algeria, England’s showdown against Croatia and Portugal’s tie against DR Congo.
African teams will be aiming to make a significant impact, with South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria, DR Congo and Cape Verde all hoping to progress beyond the group stage.
Following the conclusion of the group matches, the competition will move into the newly introduced Round of 32, beginning on June 28. The Round of 16 will follow from July 4, while the quarter-finals are scheduled for July 9 to July 11.
The semi-finals will be played on July 14 and July 15 in Arlington and Atlanta respectively, before the tournament concludes with the third-place playoff on July 18 in Miami.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place on July 19 at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where one nation will be crowned world champions after more than a month of football action across North America.
With an expanded format, more teams, more matches and greater continental representation, the 2026 tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever staged, offering nations from every region of the world a bigger platform to compete for football’s ultimate prize.