12
Groups
Groups A through L, 4 teams each
72
Group matches
3 matches per team in group stage
32
Advance
Top 2 per group + 8 best 3rd-placed
Jun 11
Group stage starts
Opening match: Azteca, Mexico City
FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage explained
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage features 12 groups (A–L) of 4 teams each. Every team plays 3 matches — one against each opponent in their group. The top 2 teams plus the 8 best third-placed teams (32 in total) advance to the Round of 32, a new knockout stage introduced for the expanded 48-team format. See all 48 qualified teams and check the full match schedule. See our FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage fan hub.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks the first edition with 48 national teams competing across 16 cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. With 104 matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, this tournament sets a new record for the largest World Cup in history. Three host nations competing simultaneously creates a cross-border sporting event unlike anything football has seen before. BC Place in Vancouver, BMO Field in Toronto and the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City are among the most iconic venues on the roster.
Canada's inclusion as a host nation adds particular significance for North American football. The Canadian men's national team qualified for a World Cup for the first time since 1986, and the home advantage in 2026 is expected to draw record crowds at BC Place and BMO Field. Alphonso Davies remains the most recognized face of Canadian football internationally, having established himself at Bayern Munich before his move to Real Madrid in 2025.
Group stage matches are distributed across all three host countries, with knockout rounds moving progressively toward the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is set to host the final on July 19, 2026. Capacity: 82,500. The United States will host the majority of matches, 60 out of 104, including all matches from the quarterfinals onward. FIFA confirmed the full match schedule in February 2025 following the completion of the draw in Miami.