The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with Mexico taking on South Africa at 3 p.m. ET, marking the beginning of the largest edition of the tournament in history. The opening day features a second match at 10 p.m. ET between South Korea and Czechia. For the first time, 48 nations will compete for the prestigious trophy, representing a significant expansion from the traditional 32-team format. The tournament will span several weeks across host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.
Soccer fans worldwide can watch all matches on FOX, FS1, Fox One and Tubi. The opening fixtures set the stage for an unprecedented month of international soccer, with group-stage matches scheduled daily through the coming weeks. The expanded format introduces new dynamics to the competition, including a round of 32 that will follow the group phase.
Opening week features major soccer powers and emerging nations
Friday’s schedule brings host nation Canada against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, followed by a highly anticipated clash between the United States and Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET. The Americans enter the tournament with home-field advantage and expectations to advance deep into the competition. Saturday’s lineup includes Qatar facing Switzerland at 3 p.m. ET, while Brazil meets Morocco at 6 p.m. ET in a match that pits South American tradition against North African determination. Haiti takes on Scotland at 10 p.m. ET, and Australia closes the day against Türkiye at midnight.
Sunday delivers four compelling matchups starting with Germany versus Curaçao at 1 p.m. ET. The Netherlands faces Japan at 4 p.m. ET in a meeting of tactical sophistication. Côte d’Ivoire battles Ecuador at 7 p.m. ET, while Sweden meets Tunisia at 9 p.m. ET. Each match carries significant weight as teams vie for crucial points in the new 48-team format.
European giants and South American contenders headline Monday fixtures
Spain opens against Cabo Verde at noon on Monday, with Belgium simultaneously taking on Egypt. Iran faces New Zealand at 6 p.m. ET, while Saudi Arabia challenges Uruguay in the same time slot. The evening session features France against Senegal at 3 p.m. ET, showcasing the depth of talent from both European and African soccer. Iraq meets Norway at 6 p.m. ET, and Argentina faces Algeria at 9 p.m. ET in a match that brings together two nations with rich soccer histories.
Tuesday’s schedule includes Austria versus Jordan at midnight, followed by Portugal taking on DR Congo at 1 p.m. ET. England faces Croatia at 4 p.m. ET in a rematch of memorable past encounters. Ghana meets Panama at 7 p.m. ET, and Uzbekistan closes the day against Colombia at 10 p.m. ET. The diverse lineup reflects the tournament’s global reach and the increased opportunities for nations from all confederations.
Group stage continues with critical second-round matches
The tournament’s second round of group matches begins Wednesday with Czechia facing South Africa at noon. Switzerland takes on Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, while Canada meets Qatar at 6 p.m. ET. Mexico returns to action against South Korea at 9 p.m. ET in what promises to be a pivotal match for both sides. Thursday features the United States against Australia at 3 p.m. ET, with Scotland meeting Morocco and Brazil facing Haiti later in the day. Türkiye closes against Paraguay at 11 p.m. ET.
- Netherlands versus Sweden highlights Friday’s action at 1 p.m. ET
- Germany takes on Côte d’Ivoire at 4 p.m. ET in a test of European strength
- Ecuador faces Curaçao at 8 p.m. ET seeking momentum
- Tunisia meets Japan at midnight in an intercontinental clash
Saturday brings Spain against Saudi Arabia at noon, with Belgium facing Iran at 3 p.m. ET. Uruguay battles Cabo Verde at 6 p.m. ET, while New Zealand meets Egypt at 9 p.m. ET. The variety of matchups demonstrates the tournament’s commitment to providing competitive balance across all participating nations.
Final group stage matches determine knockout round qualifiers
Argentina returns Sunday against Austria at 1 p.m. ET, with France taking on Iraq at 5 p.m. ET. Norway faces Senegal at 8 p.m. ET, and Jordan meets Algeria at 11 p.m. ET. Monday features Portugal versus Uzbekistan at 1 p.m. ET, England against Ghana at 4 p.m. ET, and Panama facing Croatia at 7 p.m. ET. Colombia closes against DR Congo at 10 p.m. ET in matches that will shape the final group standings.
The concluding group stage fixtures take place Tuesday and Wednesday, with Switzerland meeting Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina facing Qatar on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET. Morocco battles Haiti while Scotland takes on Brazil at 6 p.m. ET. South Africa meets South Korea at 9 p.m. ET, with Czechia facing Mexico in the same time slot. Wednesday’s matches include Ecuador versus Germany and Tunisia against Netherlands, both critical for advancement. The United States faces Türkiye at 10 p.m. ET, while Paraguay meets Australia in the final scheduled group match.
Historic tournament brings unprecedented global representation
The expansion to 48 teams represents FIFA’s vision for broader global participation in the world’s premier soccer competition. Nations from every continent earned their places through rigorous qualification campaigns spanning nearly two years. The three-host format allows for greater geographic distribution of matches, bringing the tournament closer to millions of fans across North America. The extended schedule provides teams with adequate rest between matches while maximizing the number of games available to viewers.
The final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 will crown the champion after weeks of competition across multiple cities. The venue, home to NFL teams and major international events, offers modern facilities and a capacity exceeding 82,000 spectators. Television coverage across multiple networks ensures accessibility for fans regardless of their preferred viewing platform. The tournament’s structure includes traditional group play followed by a knockout stage that begins with the round of 32, a new addition created by the expanded field.
Teams face challenging schedules with matches spread across different time zones and climates. The diversity of participating nations creates compelling storylines as traditional powers meet emerging soccer countries. Each group stage match carries significant importance as teams navigate the path to advancement. The competition promises memorable moments and the opportunity for unexpected results that define World Cup history.
