World Cup 2026 schedule unveiled: Mexico City hosts opener, New Jersey gets final

Mexico City's legendary Azteca Stadium, forever etched in football folklore as the hallowed ground where Argentina's Diego Maradona conjured his famous "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 quarterfinals, has been chosen as the prestigious venue for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.  

This monumental tournament, the first ever World Cup in an expanded 48-team format, is poised to kick off on June 11. Mexico, in collaboration with the United States and Canada, stands proud as one of the three host nations responsible for orchestrating this grand spectacle.

In a livestream announcement on Sunday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accompanied by notable figures like comedian Kevin Hart, rapper Drake, and socialite Kim Kardashian, unveiled the schedule for the 2026 World Cup. They also revealed that the final showdown will take place at New Jersey's iconic MetLife Stadium on July 19. 

This renowned venue, which serves as the home stadium for American football teams the New York Giants and New York Jets, boasts an impressive capacity of 82,500 spectators. It was also one of the host stadiums during the memorable 1994 World Cup.

The expansion of the 2026 World Cup translates to an additional 24 matches, resulting in a grand total of 104 games spread across the 16 carefully selected venues. The tournament will adopt a format featuring 12 groups, each comprising four teams. From these groups, the top two teams will advance, accompanied by the eight best third-placed teams.

Once the group stage concludes, the competition will transition into a thrilling straight knock-out format. The path to the finals will require the remaining teams to battle it out in a series of high-stakes matches, totaling eight games for the ultimate contenders. This increase from the previous seven games adds an extra layer of challenge and endurance to the journey towards the World Cup title.

The knockout stage will kick off with the round of 32 on June 28. The round of 16 will captivate fans from July 4. The quarterfinals will be contested in the cities of Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City and Boston, commencing on July 8.  

These locations will bear witness to the unfolding drama and the quest for a place in the coveted semifinals, which will take place in Dallas and Atlanta on July 14 and 15 respectively. As the climax approaches, the third place playoff will be held in Miami on July 18.

In total, 16 cities have been chosen to host matches, each bringing its own unique energy to the tournament. From Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico to Vancouver in Canada, these cities will be the backdrop for unforgettable moments. Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle and San Francisco are among the other U.S. host cities, ensuring that the tournament reaches fans from coast to coast. 

However, the expanded format of the tournament brings with it the possibility of teams facing significant travel between their matches. FIFA has assured that the schedule was carefully designed in consultation with various stakeholders, including national team coaches. The aim was to ensure fairness and balance in terms of rest and recovery for the participating teams.

FIFA has emphasized that, out of the record 104 matches in the tournament, teams will have a minimum of three days of rest for 103 of those matches. This provision allows players to recuperate and prepare adequately for their next encounters, minimizing the impact of travel and maximizing their physical and mental readiness for each game.  

"The tournament's innovative match schedule will serve to minimize travel for teams and fans alike, while the number of rest days between fixtures will be maximized," read a FIFA statement.