The 2026 global football tournament has commenced, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. At the December World Cup selection ceremony, 42 qualified national squads were assigned to their specific divisions. Six divisions were designated to incorporate the victors of the final playoff rounds.
The United States, granted automatic entry as a co-host nation, was already placed in Group D. Their competition will commence on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, facing Paraguay. The American squad is scheduled to compete against Australia next, concluding their initial group stage matches versus Türkiye.
Canada, positioned in Group B, is set to initiate its campaign on June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto, playing Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their subsequent two group-stage encounters will be against Qatar and Switzerland.
Mexico experienced the privilege of staging the World Cup’s inaugural game, securing a 2-0 triumph over South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The hosting nation will also compete against Korea and Czechia within Group A.
Nations that have secured berths for the 2026 World Cup
AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq
CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
OFC: New Zealand
UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia
Structure of the 2026 Global Football Championship
The 48 participating squads were allocated into 12 divisions, each comprising four teams. Every squad will compete in three matches within its assigned division to ascertain which nations will progress to the elimination phase.
A total of 32 teams are scheduled to proceed to the subsequent knockout phase after the initial group competitions. The top two performers from every division will advance, alongside the eight highest-ranked third-place teams. Criteria for breaking ties will follow this sequence: goal difference, total goals achieved, direct match results, disciplinary record, and finally, a random draw.
Ahead of this World Cup, FIFA has implemented adjustments. To foster balanced competition, two distinct routes to the semifinals have been established, designed to ensure the two leading teams avoid clashing prior to the final, assuming they triumph in their initial groups. For instance, Spain, the top-ranked side in the competition, and current title holder Argentina, ranked second, were placed on divergent paths. A similar arrangement applies to France (ranked 3rd) and England (ranked 4th), meaning these top four teams, if victorious in their groups, will not encounter each other until the semifinal stage.
Consistent with previous World Cups, national teams belonging to the same confederation (e.g., Brazil and Uruguay) were precluded from being drawn into an identical group, with European teams being the sole exception.
2026 Global Football Championship divisions, fixture list, and broadcast information
(All times indicated are Eastern Standard Time)
GROUP A
1. Mexico
2. South Africa
3. Korea Republic
4. Czechia
Thursday, June 11: Mexico 2, South Africa 0
Thursday, June 11: Korea Republic 2, Czechia 1
Thursday, June 18, 12 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. (Fox): Mexico vs. Korea Republic, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (Fox): Czechia vs. Mexico, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 p.m. (FS1): South Africa vs. Korea Republic, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
GROUP B
1. Canada
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Qatar
4. Switzerland
Friday, June 12: Canada 1, Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
Saturday, June 13, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland 1, Qatar 1
Thursday, June 18, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m. (FS1): Canada vs. Qatar, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (Fox): Switzerland vs. Canada, BC Place (Vancouver)
Wednesday, June 24, 3 p.m. (FS1): Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar, Lumen Field (Seattle)
GROUP C
1. Brazil
2. Morocco
3. Haiti
4. Scotland
Saturday, June 13: Brazil 1, Morocco 1
Saturday, June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco, Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. (Fox): Brazil vs. Haiti, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Brazil, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. (FS1): Morocco vs. Haiti, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP D
1. United States
2. Paraguay
3. Australia
4. Türkiye
Friday, June 12: United States 4, Paraguay 1
Saturday, June 13, 12 a.m. (FS1): Australia vs. Türkiye, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): United States vs. Australia, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 19, 11 p.m. (FS1): Türkiye vs. Paraguay, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (Fox): Türkiye vs. United States, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, June 25, 10 p.m. (FS1): Paraguay vs. Australia, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
GROUP E
1. Germany
2. Curaçao
3. Ivory Coast
4. Ecuador
Sunday, June 14, 1 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Curaçao, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. (Fox): Germany vs. Ivory Coast, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m. (FS1): Ecuador vs. Curaçao, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (FS1): Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. (Fox): Ecuador vs. Germany, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
GROUP F
1. Netherlands
2. Japan
3. Sweden
4. Tunisia
Sunday, June 14, 4 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Japan, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Sunday, June 14, 10 p.m. (FS1): Sweden vs. Tunisia, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Saturday, June 20, 1 p.m. (Fox): Netherlands vs. Sweden, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, June 20, 12 a.m. (FS1): Tunisia vs. Japan, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (FS1): Japan vs. Sweden, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. (Fox): Tunisia vs. Netherlands, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP G
1. Belgium
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. New Zealand
Monday, June 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Belgium vs. Egypt, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Monday, June 15, 9 p.m. (FS1): Iran vs. New Zealand, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 3 p.m. (FS1): Belgium vs. Iran, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Sunday, June 21, 9 p.m. (FS1): New Zealand vs. Egypt, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (FS1): Egypt vs. Iran, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Friday, June 26, 11 p.m. (Fox): New Zealand vs. Belgium, BC Place (Vancouver)
GROUP H
1. Spain
2. Cape Verde
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Uruguay
Monday, June 15, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Cape Verde, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Monday, June 15, 6 p.m. (FS1): Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Sunday, June 21, 12 p.m. (Fox): Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m. (FS1): Uruguay vs. Cape Verde, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (FS1): Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m. (Fox): Uruguay vs. Spain, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
GROUP I
1. France
2. Senegal
3. Iraq
4. Norway
Tuesday, June 16, 3 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. (Fox): France vs. Iraq, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. Senegal, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Friday, June 26, 3 p.m. (FS1): Senegal vs. Iraq, BMO Field (Toronto)
GROUP J
1. Argentina
2. Algeria
3. Austria
4. Jordan
Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Algeria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
Tuesday, June 16, 12 a.m. (FS1): Austria vs. Jordan, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Monday, June 22, 1 p.m. (Fox): Argentina vs. Austria, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Monday, June 22, 11 p.m. (FS1): Jordan vs. Algeria, Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (Fox): Jordan vs. Argentina, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Saturday, June 27, 10 p.m. (FS1): Algeria vs. Austria, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)
GROUP K
1. Portugal
2. DR Congo
3. Uzbekistan
4. Colombia
Friday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. DR Congo, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Friday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
GROUP L
1. England
2. Croatia
3. Ghana
4. Panama
Friday, June 17, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Croatia, AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
Friday, June 17, 7 p.m. (FS1): Ghana vs. Panama, BMO Field (Toronto)
Tuesday, June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana, Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Tuesday, June 23, 7 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. Croatia, BMO Field (Toronto)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (Fox): Panama vs. England, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. (FS1): Croatia vs. Ghana, Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Schedule for the World Cup’s elimination stages
(All times are presented in Eastern Standard Time)
Stage of 32 Competitors
Sunday, June 28, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group A second place vs. Group B second place, SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Monday, June 29, 1 p.m. (Fox): Group C winner vs. Group F second place, NRG Stadium (Houston)
Monday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. (Fox): Group E winner vs. Group A/B/C/D/F third place, Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Monday, June 29, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group F winner vs. Group C second place, Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)
Tuesday, June 30, 1 p.m (Fox): Group E second place vs. Group I second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Tuesday, June 30, 5 p.m. (Fox): Group I winner vs. Group C/D/F/G/H third place, MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Tuesday, June 30, 9 p.m. (Fox): Group A winner vs. Group C/E/F/H/I third place, Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Wednesday, July 1, 12 p.m. (Fox): Group L winner vs. Group E/H/I/J/K third place, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Wednesday, July 1, 4 p.m. (FS1): Group G winner vs. Group A/E/H/I/J third place, Lumen Field (Seattle)
Wednesday, July 1, 8 p.m. (Fox): Group D winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J third place, Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay)
Thursday, July 2, 3 p.m. (Fox): Group H winner vs. Group J second place, SoFI Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (Fox): Group K second place vs. Group L second place, BMO Field (Toronto)
Thursday, July 2, 11 p.m. (FS1): Group B winner vs. Group E/F/G/I/J third place, BC Place (Vancouver)
Friday, July 3, 2 p.m. (Fox): Group D second place vs. Group G second place, AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Friday, July 3, 6 p.m. (Fox): Group J winner vs. Group H second place, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Friday, July 3, 9:30 p.m. (Fox): Group K winner vs. Group D/E/I/J/L third place, Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
Phase of 16 Competitors
Saturday, July 4, 1 p.m. (Fox): NRG Stadium (Houston)
Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. (Fox): Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
Sunday, July 5, 8 p.m. (Fox): Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
Monday, July 6, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Monday, July 6, 8 p.m. (Fox): Lumen Field (Seattle)
Tuesday, July 7, 12 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Tuesday, July 7, 4 p.m. (Fox): BC Place (Vancouver)
Quarter-final Matches
Thursday, July 9, 4 p.m. (Fox): Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Friday, July 10, 3 p.m. (Fox): SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
Saturday, July 11, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Saturday, July 11, 9 p.m. (Fox): Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
Semi-final Matches
Tuesday, July 14, 3 p.m. (Fox): AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
Wednesday, July 15, 3 p.m. (Fox): Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Match for Third Position
Saturday, July 18, 5 p.m. (Fox): Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
Championship Final
Sunday, July 19, 3 p.m. (Fox): MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)
