FIFA Releases 2026 World Cup Schedule

The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule was released this week, outlining a historic expanded tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and a record 104 matches across 16 cities from June 11 to July 19.

The event kicks off with Mexico facing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, marking the host nation's opener in Group A alongside South Korea and the Czech Republic. The United States enters Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, starting against Paraguay on June 13 in Los Angeles. Canada, in Group B with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland, begins against Bosnia on June 12 in Toronto. The final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, concluding a 39-day competition that introduces a new structure: 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two finishers from every group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to a Round of 32 before the knockout stages.

This edition expands from the 32-team format of recent tournaments, aiming to boost global representation with debuts for nations including Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, as well as Haiti's return since 1974....