SCHEDULE GUIDE
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday, 11 June 2026. Mexico play South Africa in the opening match at Mexico City Stadium. The tournament finishes on Sunday, 19 July 2026, with the final in New York New Jersey.
This is the first men's World Cup with 48 teams. The competition has 12 groups, 104 matches and 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, so the schedule is busier than previous 32-team editions.
Key 2026 World Cup dates
Date
Event
What to know
11 June 2026
Opening match
Mexico face South Africa at Mexico City Stadium.
11-27 June 2026
Group stage
Each team plays three group matches.
28 June 2026
Round of 32 begins
The new 32-team knockout bracket starts after the group stage.
19 July 2026
Final
The champions are crowned in New York New Jersey.
How to follow the first matches
Before kick-off, the most useful view is the full fixture list by date. Once matches begin, check the Live filter first, then use All to see the rest of the match day and Finished to review completed results.
Because World Cup 2026 is played across several time zones, always check the kick-off time shown for your location. AiScore lists match status, group context and live score details together so you can follow the opening days without opening every match page.
Sources
