FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete Group Breakdown and Match Schedule Overview

The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be one of the most exciting and expansive tournaments in football history. For the first time ever, FIFA will stage a 48-team World Cup featuring 12 groups in the group phase and a new Round of 32 knockout stage. The competition takes place across three host nations — United States, Canada, and Mexico — from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Let’s take a deep dive into the groups, key matchups, and the complete schedule structure designed to captivate global football fans.

Historic Expansion: What Makes World Cup 2026 Special

Before we list groups and fixtures, it’s important to understand why this World Cup is unique:

The tournament will feature 48 national teams, an increase from the 32-team lineup seen in earlier World Cups.
The group stage consists of 12 groups of 4 teams.
The top two teams from each group, plus the best eight third-placed teams, will advance to a new Round of 32.
Matches will be hosted in 16 different cities across the three countries.

This larger format brings more teams, more matches, and a richer footballing experience for fans worldwide.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups — Full List

The World Cup draw has finalized the group stage, placing teams from around the world into 12 distinct groups identified from Group A to Group L. Below is each group’s composition:

Group A

Mexico
South Korea
South Africa
UEFA Playoff D Winner
(A European team that will qualify through playoff path D gets the final spot)

Group B

Canada
Switzerland
Qatar
UEFA Playoff A Winner
(European playoff winner from path A)

Group C

Brazil
Morocco
Scotland
Haiti
(A mix of seasoned contenders and rising talents)

Group D

USA
Australia
Paraguay
UEFA Playoff C Winner
(European playoff winner from path C)

Group E

Germany
Ecuador
Ivory Coast
Curaçao

Group F

Netherlands
Japan
Tunisia
UEFA Playoff B Winner
(European playoff from path B)

Group G

Belgium
Iran
Egypt
New Zealand

Group H

Spain
Uruguay
Saudi Arabia
Cape Verde

Group I

France
Senegal
Norway
Intercontinental Playoff 2 Winner
(Winner of playoff from non-UEFA regions)

Group J

Argentina
Austria
Algeria
Jordan

Group K

Portugal
Colombia
Uzbekistan
Intercontinental Playoff 1 Winner

Group L

England
Croatia
Panama
Ghana

Match Schedule Structure

The World Cup schedule runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, unfolding in structured phases:

Group Stage: June 11 – June 27
Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
Quarterfinals: July 9 – July 11
Semifinals: July 14 – July 15
Third Place Match: July 18
Final: July 19

In total, 104 matches will be played over 39 days of football excitement.

Group Stage Matchdays & Key Dates

The group stage matches are spread across several matchdays. Every team will compete in three group-stage fixtures within their assigned group.

Matchday 1 — June 11–13, 2026

This opening phase features the earliest games that officially kick off the World Cup:

June 11

Mexico vs. South Africa – Group A
South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D – Group A

June 12–13

Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A – Group B
USA vs. Paraguay – Group D
Qatar vs. Switzerland – Group B
Brazil vs. Morocco; Haiti vs. Scotland – Group C

These early fixtures set the tone for the tournament’s group battles, featuring traditional powers against emerging challengers.

Matchday 2 — June 18–19, 2026

Matchday 2 brings intense competition as teams strive for early qualification chances:

Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A – Group B
Canada vs. Qatar – Group B
Scotland vs. Morocco – Group C
Brazil vs. Haiti – Group C
(Times and venues vary across the US and Canada)

Matchday 3 — June 24–27, 2026

The final group matches determine advancement:

Switzerland vs. Canada – Group B
Morocco vs. Haiti – Group C
Scotland vs. Brazil – Group C
Additional deciding matches in Groups A, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L

This matchday is decisive as teams aim to secure their place in the Round of 32.

Knockout Stage Breakdown

Once the group stage concludes, the tournament shifts to elimination rounds:

Round of 32 — June 28 – July 3

A total of 16 matches involving group winners, runners-up, and the best third-placed teams.

Notable matchups will see winners from some groups facing third-place teams, creating thrilling cross-group duels.

Round of 16 — July 4 – July 7

This phase reduces competitors from 32 to 16 major contenders.

The top performers from the Round of 32 face off for a spot in the elite quarterfinals.

Quarterfinals — July 9 – July 11

Only eight teams remain, with matches played in major cities such as Boston and others.

Semifinals — July 14 – July 15

The four best teams battle for a place in the final and to avoid elimination.

Third Place Match — July 18

A prestigious matchup deciding the bronze medal position.

Final — July 19

The championship match concludes the tournament at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey — the World Cup’s showpiece event.

Where the Games Will Be Played

Matches will take place in 16 venues spread throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These include legendary venues as well as modern stadiums with cutting-edge facilities.

Key stadiums include:

Estadio Azteca — Mexico City
BMO Field — Toronto
SoFi Stadium — Los Angeles
MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford (Final)

Each stadium will host a mix of group and knockout games, featuring fan experiences across North America.

Why Fans Are Excited

The 2026 World Cup represents a mega-event that blends tradition with expansion:

More matches, more drama — Fans will enjoy action nearly every day.
Global reach — Teams from every continent competing at elite levels.
Expanded knockout round — With a Round of 32, underdogs have a chance to shine.
Historic host cities — Iconic stadiums and locales across three nations.

This tournament brings together football cultures from across the globe, celebrating the world’s most popular sport.