Key Highlights
FIFA has unveiled the complete group-stage schedule for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first tournament with 48 teams.
Team USA will play June 12 in Los Angeles, June 19 in Seattle and June 25 in Los Angeles. The opening match revisits a historic pairing: South Africa vs. Mexico, a repeat of the 2010 opener. Another milestone arrives June 20, when Japan and Tunisia meet in the 1,000th World Cup match.
All 12 Groups Set
The draw placed teams into 12 groups of four, including heavyweight matchups like Brazil–Morocco, Argentina–Algeria and England–Croatia. Playoff qualifiers from Europe and intercontinental brackets will fill the final spots in several groups.
Group-by-Group Overview
Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and the European Playoff D winner open the tournament June 11 in Mexico City. Matches also take place in Guadalajara, Atlanta and Monterrey.
Group B: Canada headlines alongside Switzerland, Qatar and the European Playoff A winner, with games across Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle and the Bay Area.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti compete in East Coast and Southern venues including New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and Atlanta.
Group D: Team USA faces Paraguay, Australia and the European Playoff C winner, with fixtures in L.A., Vancouver, Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Group E: Germany leads a group with Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao, playing in Houston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Kansas City and New York/New Jersey.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and the European Playoff B winner play in Dallas, Monterrey, Houston and Kansas City, highlighted by the 1,000th World Cup match.
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt and New Zealand compete in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde play across Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Guadalajara.
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway and Intercontinental Playoff 2 meet in New York/New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto.
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan play in Kansas City, Dallas and the Bay Area.
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan and Intercontinental Playoff 1 compete in Houston, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami and Atlanta.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama play in Dallas, Boston, Toronto, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey.
The Road to the Final
The World Cup final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Six qualifying spots remain and will be decided in March through UEFA playoffs and intercontinental matchups.
If you want, Sparky, I can also create a super-short version, a fan-friendly version, or a Houston-focused angle since multiple matches are scheduled in the city.
For more on the Men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.