The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — 39 days of competition with 104 matches. As the first WC with 48 teams, the format includes a new Round of 32 stage. Here's the full calendar.
- Tournament dates
- June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Total matches
- 104 (up from 64 in 2022)
- Teams
- 48 (up from 32)
- Tournament duration
- 39 days
- Final venue
- MetLife Stadium, NJ
Stage-by-stage breakdown
Group stage — June 11 to June 27, 2026
- 48 teams in 12 groups of 4
- Each team plays 3 matches
- Top 2 from each group + 8 best 3rd-place finishers advance = 32 teams
- Total: 72 matches
Round of 32 (NEW) — June 28 to July 3, 2026
- First-ever Round of 32 stage
- 32 teams → 16
- 16 matches
Round of 16 — July 4 to July 7, 2026
- 16 teams → 8
- 8 matches
Quarter-Finals — July 9 to July 11, 2026
- 8 teams → 4
- 4 matches
Semi-Finals — July 14 to July 15, 2026
- 4 teams → 2
- 2 matches
- Both semis at major US venues (likely MetLife + Dallas/AT&T)
Third-place match — July 18, 2026
- The 2 semifinal losers
- 1 match (consolation prize)
FINAL — July 19, 2026
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- 82,500 capacity
- The 2 semifinal winners
Why 104 matches (vs 64 in 2022)?
The expansion to 48 teams adds 16 more group-stage participants. Plus the new Round of 32 stage adds 16 matches. Together: 64 + 8 (group stage extras) + 16 (R32) + 16 (extras across rounds) = 104.
Match calendar density
- Group stage: Up to 6 matches per day at peak.
- Knockout stage: 2-3 matches per day.
- Travel days: 2-3 between major rounds for teams.
- Time zones: Matches span 12pm – 9pm ET (15 UTC – 1am UTC).
Learn the US host states by playing
Statedoku uses "Hosts a WC 2026 match" as a constraint.
Play today's puzzle →Frequently asked questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
When is the 2026 World Cup Final?
July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How many matches will there be?
104 total — up from 64 in 2022. The expansion to 48 teams + the new Round of 32 stage account for the increase.
What is the new "Round of 32"?
A new knockout stage added because the tournament expanded to 48 teams. After 12 groups of 4, the top 32 advance to the R32 — first ever in WC history.