The countdown is on for the largest World Cup ever staged. With 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations spanning North America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a logistical spectacle — and a planning puzzle for fans. Whether you’re already mapping out your match days or just want to know when the final kicks off, here’s everything you need, from official dates to downloadable schedules.

4 related posts

Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States ·
Tournament dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026 ·
Number of teams: 48 ·
Total matches: 104 ·
Host cities: 16 ·
Opening match: June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Quick snapshot

1Tournament Dates
2Host Nations
  • Canada (2 cities)
  • Mexico (3 cities)
  • United States (11 cities)
3Match Count
4Download Options
  • Official FIFA schedule page (Hermann-Baum.de)
  • Excel download available (Hermann-Baum.de)
  • Printable PDF from sports sites (Excel-Template.net)

The eight key facts below sum up the tournament at a glance — a quick reference for planning.

Detail Value
Tournament name FIFA World Cup 2026
Host nations Canada, Mexico, United States
Dates June 11 – July 19, 2026
Number of teams 48
Total matches 104
Host cities 16
Opening match venue Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Final venue MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start and end?

Tournament start date: June 11, 2026

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City (Hermann-Baum.de).
  • This is the first time the opening match will be held in Mexico since 1986.

Tournament end date: July 19, 2026

  • The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Excel-Template.net).
  • MetLife Stadium will host the championship match for the first time.

Key milestone dates

  • Group stage: June 11–27
  • Round of 32: June 29–30
  • Round of 16: July 3–4
  • Quarterfinals: July 7–8
  • Semifinals: July 11–12
  • Third place match: July 15
  • Final: July 19
Bottom line: The tournament runs for 39 days, with 72 group-stage matches packing the first 17 days. Fans should expect a packed June before the knockout rounds tighten the action in July.
Why this matters

With 48 teams, the group stage alone packs 72 matches into 17 days. That’s a lot of football — and a lot of travel for fans hoping to catch their team in different cities.

What is the full match schedule for the 2026 World Cup?

Group stage match days and times

  • The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026 (Hermann-Baum.de).
  • Matches are scheduled across multiple time slots to accommodate global audiences.

Knockout round schedule

  • The knockout stage begins June 29 with the Round of 32, a new addition due to the expanded format.
  • The final is on July 19, 2026 (Excel-Template.net).

List of all 104 matches

The complete match list with dates, venues, and kick-off times will be released by FIFA in phases. For now, the best resource is the official FIFA schedule page and third-party downloadable templates such as the one from Hermann-Baum.de, which includes automatic group table updates and knockout round assignments (Hermann-Baum.de).

The catch

With 104 matches spread across 16 cities and three time zones, tracking which games overlap is a real challenge. A downloadable schedule with time-zone selection isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential.

Where can I download the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in Excel?

Official FIFA schedule download options

  • FIFA provides an official schedule on its website (fifa.com).
  • Excel and printable PDF versions are available from various sports news sites.

Third-party Excel schedule templates

  • The Hermann-Baum Excel template offers a downloadable .xlsx file for the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule (Hermann-Baum.de).
  • It includes automatic updating of group tables and knockout round assignments (Hermann-Baum.de).
  • The template also offers time-zone selection and highlights current-day games (Hermann-Baum.de).

How to import the schedule into a calendar app

  • The Excel file can be exported to CSV and imported into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook.
  • Some templates (like the one from Excel-Template.net) include three worksheets: group stage, round of 32, and the remaining knockout rounds (Excel-Template.net).
Bottom line: For fans who want to track every match, the Hermann-Baum template is the most feature-rich option — automatic group tables, knockout brackets, and multi-timezone support in a single .xlsx file.

Is there a printable version of the World Cup 2026 schedule?

Printable PDF schedule sources

  • Printable schedules are available on FIFA.com and sports news sites.
  • Many sites offer free PDF downloads of the full match schedule (Excel-Template.net).

How to print the schedule from FIFA.com

  • Navigate to the official FIFA schedule page and use the print function or download the PDF option.

Best printable schedule formats for fans

  • A simple one-page grid listing all 104 matches by date and venue is the most popular format.
  • The Excel-Template.net downloadable PDF includes such a grid (Excel-Template.net).
The upshot

Printable PDFs are great for offline reference, but they don’t update automatically. For live results, the Excel template with auto-updating group tables is a smarter bet.

Which cities are hosting World Cup 2026 matches?

List of 16 host cities

  • Canada (2): Vancouver, Toronto
  • Mexico (3): Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
  • United States (11): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle

Stadiums and capacities

  • The largest stadium is MetLife Stadium (New Jersey) with a capacity of 82,500 for the final.
  • Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) holds 87,523 and will host the opening match.

Match distribution

  • Each host city will host multiple group-stage matches and some knockout rounds.
  • The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Excel-Template.net).
Bottom line: With 16 cities across three countries, the 2026 World Cup is the most geographically spread tournament ever. Fans should factor in travel between venues when planning their schedule.

Timeline: 2026 World Cup at a glance

  • June 11, 2026 — Opening match at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (Hermann-Baum.de)
  • June 11–27, 2026 — Group stage matches (Hermann-Baum.de)
  • June 29–30, 2026 — Round of 32
  • July 3–4, 2026 — Round of 16
  • July 7–8, 2026 — Quarterfinals
  • July 11–12, 2026 — Semifinals
  • July 15, 2026 — Third place match
  • July 19, 2026 — Final at MetLife Stadium (Excel-Template.net)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Tournament dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
  • Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States
  • 16 host cities confirmed
  • 48 teams, 104 matches
  • Final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

What’s unclear

  • Exact kick-off times for each match (to be confirmed closer to the tournament)
  • Full match schedule with specific time slots (released by FIFA in phases)
  • Broadcast rights and streaming details for all regions

“The template considers FIFA rules including fair play and FIFA World Ranking to automatically assign teams in the knockout round.”

– Hermann-Baum.de Excel template description

“The 2026 World Cup schedule is now available for download in Excel, PDF, and Google Sheets formats.”

– Excel-Template.net schedule resource

The 2026 World Cup is a unique test for fans and organizers alike. With 104 matches across three countries, the difference between a great experience and a stressful one comes down to planning — especially when you’re juggling time zones, travel, and kick-off times. For US fans planning to attend multiple matches, the implication is clear: download a schedule template now, set your calendar alerts, and start mapping out how you’ll move between cities. The countdown to June 11, 2026 has begun.

Related reading: Spain National Football Team: Top Scorers and Key Facts · Spain vs Netherlands 2025: Who Won the Quarterfinal?

Additional sources

etsy.com, excely.com, templates.onlyoffice.com, matejero.com, digitalhub.fifa.com

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Frequently asked questions

How can I get tickets for the 2026 World Cup?

Tickets will be sold through FIFA’s official ticketing portal. Sales phases typically begin about a year before the tournament. Stay updated on fifa.com.

What is the format of the 2026 World Cup group stage?

48 teams are divided into 16 groups of 3. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, making the knockout stage a 32-team bracket for the first time.

Will there be a World Cup 2026 schedule app?

FIFA typically releases an official tournament app with live scores and schedules. Third-party apps like ESPN and Fox Sports also offer dedicated schedule views.

How many matches are played in each host city?

Each city hosts between 5 and 8 matches depending on its size and whether it also hosts knockout rounds. The full distribution hasn’t been finalized.

Are there any rest days during the tournament?

Yes, there are designated rest days between the group stage and knockout rounds, and between certain knockout phases. The exact schedule is part of the official FIFA match calendar.

What time zone are the kick-off times listed in?

Most official schedules list times in local host city time. Third-party templates like the Hermann-Baum file allow you to switch to your own time zone (Hermann-Baum.de).

Can I watch World Cup 2026 matches online?

Yes, matches will be streamed through official broadcast partners. For viewers in the US, Fox Sports and Telemundo hold the rights. Check their platforms for details.