When does the 2026 World Cup start and end?
Quick Answer
The 2026 World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — a 39-day tournament. The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.
Detailed Explanation
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the longest in history at 39 days, featuring 104 matches across 16 cities in three countries. The tournament opens with Mexico vs South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The USA's first match is against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12. Canada opens against a TBD team at BMO Field in Toronto, also on June 12. The group stage runs from June 11 to June 29. The knockout rounds begin July 1, with the final at MetLife Stadium (capacity ~82,500) in the New York metropolitan area on July 19. AT&T Stadium in Dallas/Arlington hosts the most matches with 9 games.
📌Key Points
- 1June 11, 2026: Opening match — Mexico vs South Africa, Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
- 2June 12: USA vs Paraguay, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- 3June 11–29: Group stage (72 matches)
- 4July 1 onwards: Knockout rounds (32 matches)
- 5July 19, 2026: Final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
- 639 days, 104 matches, 16 cities, 3 countries
- 7AT&T Stadium (Dallas) hosts 9 matches — the most of any venue
📜Related Rules
Learn how the FIFA World Cup is structured with group stages, knockout rounds, and the path to the final.
Complete guide to all 16 stadiums at the 2026 FIFA World Cup across USA, Mexico, and Canada. Capacities, locations, and which matches they host.