2026 World Cup: A New Era of Expansion
The 2026 edition will be the first to feature 48 national sides, contesting 104 matches from June 11 to July 19. The tournament opens with a clash between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, and culminates with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Host Cities Across Three Nations
Matches will be spread across a dozen venues in Mexico, the United States and Canada, including Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Toronto’s BMO Field, and Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Each city brings a distinct atmosphere, with local fans eager to see their teams compete on home soil.
England’s group stage schedule sees them face Croatia, Ghana and Panama, while Scotland will meet Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Both squads are placed in groups that also include teams from North America and Asia, promising competitive matchups.
Knockout Stage Timeline
The round of 32 runs from June 28 to July 3, followed by the round of 16 between July 4 and 7. Quarter‑finals are set for July 9‑12, and the semi‑finals will unfold on July 14 and 15. A third‑place playoff will take place on July 18, just a day before the championship decider.
Final Showdown
The ultimate match is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where the two finalists will battle for the trophy under the lights of New Jersey’s iconic venue. All kick‑off times are listed in UK time, allowing global audiences to tune in at convenient hours.