The stage is set for the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with football fans around the world eagerly anticipating the start of the biggest tournament in the history of the sport. Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the competition officially gets underway on Thursday, 11 June, ushering in a new era for international football.
For the first time since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup will feature 48 participating nations, expanding from the traditional 32-team format. The landmark decision by FIFA has increased representation across all confederations, providing more countries with the opportunity to compete on football’s grandest stage.
The tournament will open with a highly symbolic clash between Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The fixture mirrors the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where the two nations played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Sixteen years later, they meet again to launch what is expected to be the most expansive and commercially successful World Cup ever staged.
Africa well represented
Africa heads into the tournament with ten representatives, underlining the continent’s growing influence in global football. South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde and DR Congo will all be aiming to make history and challenge football’s traditional powerhouses.
Several African nations have been handed difficult groups, with Morocco facing five-time champions Brazil, Senegal drawn alongside France, and Ghana set to battle England and Croatia in Group L.
Opening week fixtures
The first week of competition promises a host of exciting encounters featuring former world champions, emerging football nations and several intriguing continental match-ups.
Thursday, 11 June
Group A
- Mexico vs South Africa – Mexico City (1900 GMT)
Group A
- South Korea vs Czech Republic – Guadalajara (0200 GMT, Friday)
Friday, 12 June
Group B
- Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina – Toronto (1900 GMT)
Group D
- United States vs Paraguay – Los Angeles (0100 GMT, Saturday)
Saturday, 13 June
Group B
- Qatar vs Switzerland – Santa Clara/San Francisco (1900 GMT)
Group C
- Brazil vs Morocco – East Rutherford/New Jersey (2200 GMT)
Group C
- Haiti vs Scotland – Foxborough/Boston (0100 GMT, Sunday)
Group D
- Australia vs Turkey – Vancouver (0400 GMT, Sunday)
Sunday, 14 June
Group E
- Germany vs Curacao – Houston (1700 GMT)
Group F
- Netherlands vs Japan – Arlington/Dallas (2000 GMT)
Group E
- Ivory Coast vs Ecuador – Philadelphia (2300 GMT)
Group F
- Sweden vs Tunisia – Monterrey (0200 GMT, Monday)
Monday, 15 June
Group H
- Spain vs Cape Verde – Atlanta (1600 GMT)
Group G
- Belgium vs Egypt – Seattle (1900 GMT)
Group H
- Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – Miami (2200 GMT)
Group G
- Iran vs New Zealand – Los Angeles (0100 GMT, Tuesday)
Tuesday, 16 June
Group I
- France vs Senegal – East Rutherford/New Jersey (1900 GMT)
Group I
- Iraq vs Norway – Foxborough/Boston (2200 GMT)
Group J
- Argentina vs Algeria – Kansas City (0100 GMT, Wednesday)
Group J
- Austria vs Jordan – Santa Clara/San Francisco (0400 GMT, Wednesday)
Wednesday, 17 June
Group K
- Portugal vs DR Congo – Houston (1700 GMT)
Group L
- England vs Croatia – Arlington/Dallas (2000 GMT)
Group L
- Ghana vs Panama – Toronto (2300 GMT)
Group K
- Uzbekistan vs Colombia – Mexico City (0200 GMT, Thursday)
Major fixtures to watch
Several heavyweight encounters stand out during the group stage.
England’s opening clash against Croatia will revive memories of previous major tournament battles, while France’s meeting with Senegal is expected to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the opening round.
Brazil begin their campaign against a talented Moroccan side that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, while Argentina face Algeria in what could prove a challenging start for the South American giants.
African supporters will also have their eyes on Belgium versus Egypt, Portugal against DR Congo, and Ghana’s crucial encounters with England and Croatia.
New tournament format
The expanded World Cup introduces 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from every group will automatically qualify for the knockout phase, while the eight best third-placed teams will also progress.
This format creates a Round of 32 for the first time in World Cup history. The knockout phase begins on 28 June and will be followed by the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off and final.
Key Knockout Dates
Round of 32: 28 June – 3 July
Round of 16: 4 July – 7 July
Quarter-finals: 9 July – 11 July
Semi-finals: 14 July – 15 July
Third-place Play-off: 18 July, Miami
Final: 19 July, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Global anticipation reaches fever pitch
With matches spread across world-class venues in Mexico, Canada and the United States, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to break attendance, broadcasting and commercial records. Millions of supporters are already travelling across North America, while billions more are expected to follow the action from around the globe.
From Mexico City's historic Estadio Azteca to the final showdown in New Jersey, the tournament promises drama, passion and unforgettable moments. As the opening whistle approaches, 48 nations stand ready to begin their quest for football immortality, with only one team destined to lift the most coveted trophy in world football on 19 July.