All the things You Have to Know — Schedule, Groups, Favorites, and How to Watch

The largest sporting occasion on the planet is three weeks away. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — and this version is in contrast to something that has come earlier than it. Three host nations. Forty-eight groups. One hundred and 4 matches throughout 39 days. Here is the whole lot you want earlier than the primary whistle.

The Basics

The match runs from **June 11 to July 19, 2026**. For the primary time in World Cup historical past, 48 groups are competing — up from 32 in earlier editions. They are divided into 12 teams of 4, with the highest two from every group and the eight greatest third-place finishers advancing to a Round of 32, making a knockout bracket that runs by means of to the ultimate on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Three Host Nations

United States (11 cities): New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston, Kansas City, Houston, Philadelphia, and Miami. The closing is at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

Mexico (3 cities): Mexico City (Estadio Azteca — opening match venue), Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Estadio Azteca turns into the primary stadium in historical past to host matches at three separate males’s World Cups.

Canada (2 cities): Toronto and Vancouver.

Key Dates

June 11 — Mexico vs. South Africa opens the match at Estadio Azteca, 3 p.m. ET (Fox)
June 12 — USA vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles; Canada vs. Bosnia in Toronto
June 13 — France vs. Senegal in Group I
June 22–26 — Final group stage matchdays
June 28 onward — Round of 32 begins
July 4 — Round of 16
July 9 — Quarterfinals
July 14–15 — Semifinals
July 19 — Final, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

The Favorites

France enter as bookmakers’ favorite. With Kylian Mbappé anchoring the assault and squad depth that few nations can match, Les Bleus are the group most anticipated to succeed in the ultimate. Runners-up in Qatar 2022, they are going to be extremely motivated on North American soil.

Spain are defending champions after Qatar 2022 and arrive with a younger, technically good squad. Group H — which incorporates Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde — offers them a cushty path to the knockouts.

Argentina and Lionel Messi— defending their 2022 title. Messi, now 38, is nearly actually enjoying his closing World Cup. The emotional narrative surrounding his farewell match, mixed with Argentina’s squad high quality, makes them a harmful contender in each match.

England — with maybe their most proficient squad in a technology, they continue to be perpetually anticipated to go deep and perpetually discovering methods to complicate the narrative.

Brazil and Germany carry the squad depth and match pedigree to succeed in any stage.

The Halftime Show

In a historic first, the 2026 World Cup Final will function a halftime present. **Madonna, Shakira, and BTS** are confirmed performers — the three largest names of their respective musical worlds, performing on the sport’s largest stage. The announcement generated protection corresponding to a Super Bowl halftime reveal.

How to Watch (United States)

Fox Sports and FS1 are the first English-language broadcast houses. Most matches are on Fox (free over-the-air and on cable). Streaming is out there by way of the Fox Sports app and Fubo TV. Spanish-language protection airs on Telemundo and Universo.

The match begins June 11. If you haven’t been following soccer, that is the second — 48 nations, 104 matches, a MetLife Stadium closing, and a halftime present that will likely be watched by a whole bunch of tens of millions of individuals.