Tournament Calendar

Schedule

The full 2026 World Cup calendar: from the opening match at MetLife Stadium on June 11 to the final on July 19. For the first time, 48 teams compete across 12 groups in three host nations — USA, Canada and Mexico.

Tournament Calendar

Group Stage · Jun 11–26

48 teams across 12 groups. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-place teams (32 total) advance to the knockout stage.

Tournament Calendar

Knockouts · Jun 27–Jul 15

R32 (Jun 27–Jul 2) → R16 (Jul 3–7) → Quarter-finals (Jul 9–10) → Semi-finals (Jul 14–15). Each round narrows the field and raises the stakes.

Tournament Calendar

Final Weekend · Jul 18–19

Third-place match on July 18, then the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

General

Play-off pending? How a draw at the Etihad could set up thrilling finale

16 Apr 2026 06:20 UTC · WTK World Cup Desk

Premier League

£124m spent but Newcastle no closer to striker solution

16 Apr 2026 05:41 UTC · WTK Matchday Desk

Premier League

Liverpool lead Senesi race - Thursday's gossip

15 Apr 2026 20:39 UTC · WTK Matchday Desk

UCL

How qualifying for Champions League could affect Man Utd's loanees

16 Apr 2026 08:42 UTC · WTK Analysis Desk

La Liga

Real Madrid set for rare trophyless season - will Arbeloa pay the price?

15 Apr 2026 23:21 UTC · WTK Tournament Desk

Premier League

Maguire gets extra ban and will miss Chelsea trip

15 Apr 2026 15:46 UTC · WTK Matchday Desk

Schedule-linked Stories

£124m spent but Newcastle no closer to striker solution

16 Apr 2026 05:41 UTC · Premier League

Liverpool lead Senesi race - Thursday's gossip

15 Apr 2026 20:39 UTC · Premier League

How qualifying for Champions League could affect Man Utd's loanees

16 Apr 2026 08:42 UTC · UCL

Real Madrid set for rare trophyless season - will Arbeloa pay the price?

15 Apr 2026 23:21 UTC · La Liga

Maguire gets extra ban and will miss Chelsea trip

15 Apr 2026 15:46 UTC · Premier League