/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/48x48/1683293922/katlego-modise.png){kind=small}
/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/48x48/1712664230/ilse-lotz-headshot.png){kind=small}
/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/48x48/1752146531/zarbet-zarbet-logo-logo.png){kind=logo}
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be a historic event. Based on the details provided and current tournament data as of April 2026, here is a summary of the key facts:
🌎 Tournament Scale & Hosting
Host Nations: For the first time, the tournament is co-hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Expanded Field: The competition has expanded to a record 48 nations (up from 32).
Match Count: A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 iconic North American cities.
Timeline: The event kicks off on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
⚽ The Teams & Competition
Qualification Status: All 48 slots are now filled. While 42 teams were locked in early, the final berths were decided during the inter-continental play-offs on March 31, 2026.
The Opening Act: Co-host Mexico will face South Africa in the tournament's opening match.
Defending the Throne: Argentina enters as the defending champion, aiming to become only the third nation in history to retain the trophy.
💰 Prize Money & Logistics
Record Purse: FIFA has significantly increased the prize pool. The champion will take home US$50 million, while the runner-up receives US$33 million.
Preparation Support: Every qualified nation received US$1.5 million from FIFA to assist with preparation costs.
Viewership: Global interest is expected to surpass the 5 billion viewers recorded during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
🎨 The Official Ball: adidas TRIONDA
The tournament will feature the TRIONDA match ball, which incorporates high-tech "connected ball" sensors and a design honoring the three hosts:
🍁 Maple Leaf (Red) for Canada
🦅 Eagle (Green) for Mexico
⭐ Star (Blue) for the United States
Upcoming World Cup Games
World Cup 2026 Participants
With the qualification rounds having wrapped up on March 31, 2026, the field of 48 teams is officially locked in! 🏟️
This expanded format means more matches, more debutants, and a lot more energy. Here are the nations headed to North America this summer, organised by their regional confederations.
🏆 FIFA World Cup 2026: Participating Nations
| Confederation | Participating Countries |
|---|---|
| CONCACAF (Hosts & Qualifiers) | Canada, Mexico, United States, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama |
| CONMEBOL (South America) | Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| UEFA (Europe) | Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye |
| AFC (Asia) | Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan |
| CAF (Africa) | Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia |
| OFC (Oceania) | New Zealand |
World Cup 2026 Groups
The group stage comprises 12 groups, each with four nations. The top two teams from each group and the eight best 3rd-placed sides will advance to the last 32 for the largest-ever World Cup finals knockout format.
Bettors should take note that only Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain have won the World Cup when it has been hosted outside their continental confederation.
Group A
Teams: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and Czechia.
Mexico are the overwhelming favourites to win their group, followed by a European side. Bookmakers rate South Korea above unfancied South Africa to snatch a 3rd-placed berth.
Recent wobbles by Mexico mean that the co-host could be humbled by an opponent from UEFA, which makes for a mouthwatering showdown at the Mexico City Stadium on 25 June.
Although El Tri head coach Javier Aguirre is experienced on the big stage, his Mexico sides tumbled at the last 16 stage when he was their manager at both the 2002 and 2010 World Cup finals. Mexico surprisingly failed to navigate out of the group at the last World Cup.
Bafana Bafana players have the advantage in their final group game, as they are more used to playing at a higher altitude than South Korea when they meet inside Mexico’s Estadio Guadalajara on 25 June.
Group B
Teams: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The bookies have remarkably priced the last-gasp European qualifier ahead of Switzerland to finish top of the group. This should make it a mouthwatering UEFA clash of the titans inside the Los Angeles Stadium on 18 June, which could determine the group winner.
Switzerland tend to be as reliable as clockwork at major tournaments, aside from their blip 6-1 reversal to Portugal in the 2022 World Cup.
Co-host Canada is heavily favoured over minnows Qatar, who lost all three games as hosts of the 2022 World Cup. Former Premier League head coach Jesse Marsch oversees Les Rouges and has already led the side to fourth at the 2024 Copa America.
Canada’s prolific unbeaten record in Toronto could ultimately prove to be a decisive factor in reaching the knockout round of 32.
Group C
Teams: Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland.
The eye-pleasing silky skills of Brazil have elevated the nation as virtually untouchable as group winners with bookmakers. Brazil were beaten by Croatia in a quarter-final penalty shootout at Qatar 2022.
Morocco, the surprise package at the 2022 World Cup by reaching the semi-finals, fourth, recently finished AFCON 2025 runner-up on home soil without finding their rhythm. They will find Brazil a tough nut to crack unless they move through the gears and replicate their usual high pressing tactics.
Scotland, who outplayed Denmark with a thrilling 4-2 UEFA World Cup qualifier success, will be making their first World Cup finals appearance since 1998. The bookies are offering low odds on the Tartan Army to progress from the group, wary that the Scots can be a real threat on the big stage.
Minnows Haiti have qualified for only their second FIFA World Cup. The Caribbean team is led by French tactician Sebastien Migne, but they have been drawn in an extremely tough group.
Bookmakers don’t think much of a chance at the tournament, having never won a World Cup finals match, with extremely high odds on Haiti to reach the last 32.
Group D
Teams: USA, Australia, Paraguay, and Turkey.
On paper, this is the tightest group, with the United States installed as the favourites to win the group with bookies as they will play all three matches on home turf and be supported by vociferous fans.
There’s not much to choose between the co-host, an as-yet-to-be-determined European nation and Paraguay. These could turn out to be cat-and-mouse matches, with the trio of teams heavily reliant on bagging a comfortable victory over resilient Australia.
The Aussies cannot be discounted from progressing. They were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Argentina in their 2022 World Cup last 16 clash. Australia will arrive brimming with confidence following an impressive seven wins last year, which included triumphs over Canada and Japan.
Yet the Socceroos recently suffered friendly defeats to Colombia, the United States and Venezuela. These are the only reversals that Tony Popovic has tasted since being appointed Aussie head coach in September 2024.
Group E
Teams: Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, and the Ivory Coast.
Germany is a strong favourite to top its group, even though the team fell at the group stage in the 2022 World Cup despite nabbing two last-gasp goals to beat Costa Rica 4-2.
Ecuador looked to be one of the most solid sides during their group games at the last World Cup finals, but came a cropper against the physicality of Senegal to lose 2-1 and exit the tournament.
The South Americans may find their African opponents too hot to handle when they tackle the Ivory Coast in Philadelphia on 15 June.
Caribbean minnows Curacao are perceived by the bookies as simply making up the numbers on their World Cup debut.
They could turn out to be the whipping boys of the group, with former Netherlands manager Dick Advocaat having stepped down for personal reasons in February. Newly installed head coach Fred Rutten has to pick up the pieces for the first non-sovereign national team from the Americas to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
Group F
Teams: Japan, Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.
It seems like a fascinating contest between Japan and the Netherlands, who each topped their respective group at the 2022 World Cup.
The pair each exited the last World Cup finals after failing their penalty shootout contests. Japan lost to Croatia in the last 16 following a 1-1 stalemate, while the Netherlands were quarter-final victims to Argentina after a 2-2 draw.
The Netherlands are favoured by the bookmakers to top the group as they are on the ascendancy.
In contrast, Tunisia are expected to be eliminated in the group stage by the bookies. Although that is probably based on their tepid AFCON 2025 displays, beaten on spot-kicks by 10-man Mali in the last 16.
Tunisia gave manager Sami Trabelsi the boot during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and after the tournament, replaced him with former France international Sabri Lamouchi.
The European last-gasp qualifier is more likely to reach the World Cup knockout stage than Tunisia, according to the latest betting odds.
Group G
Teams: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.
Belgium have yet to win a major trophy, but they could theoretically start off at a canter and still win their group. This is a dream draw for Belgium boss Rudi Garcia, who only took the reins in January 2025.
The Red Devils are expected to have little trouble dispatching Egypt, Iran and New Zealand before tackling the knockout stages.
Yet Belgium stuttered last year and, at the 2022 World Cup, finished third in their group behind table-topping Morocco and runner-up Croatia. Although that was no mean feat, as Croatia and Morocco both reached the Qatar 2022 semi-finals.
Egypt, beaten in their AFCON 2025 semi-final by eventual champions Senegal, have yet to win a FIFA World Cup from three appearances.
That dismal record could alter as the bookies are offering shorter odds on the African nation than Iran and New Zealand to progress to the 2026 World Cup knockout stages.
Despite Iran’s 2-0 success over Wales in the last World Cup finals, defeats to England and the United States saw them eliminated at the group stage for the third tournament on the spin.
New Zealand will make only their third FIFA World Cup appearance this year. They suffered hefty defeats to Brazil, Scotland and the Soviet Union on their debut in 1982.
The All Whites went toe to toe with stalemates against Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia at their last World Cup in 2010. Under head coach Darren Bazeley there is a belief that they can make an impact. Yet they are on a winless streak of seven games, which includes defeats to Colombia, Ecuador, Poland and Ukraine.
Group H
Teams: Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Uruguay.
Spain expected to breeze through this group, with Uruguay recently blowing hot and cold, while newcomers Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are unfancied by bookies. Even though Saudi Arabia's head coach Herve Renard brilliantly masterminded the 2-1 upset of Argentina at the last World Cup finals.
The Spanish are looking solid, with a new generation of young players such as whizzy winger Lamine Yamal brimming with confidence, creativity and pace. FIFA ranked no.1 Spain is the strong favourite with bookies to lift the 2026 World Cup trophy.
Uruguay narrowly missed out on reaching the World Cup 2022 knockout stages, but they stand a great chance to make amends.
Cape Verde stunned many Africans by qualifying for their inaugural FIFA World Cup, yet they could soon surprise a global audience.
The former Portuguese colony is not a pushover, having picked up respective draws against Egypt and Iran last November, which both ended in a penalty shootout defeat.
This group could be full of thrills ‘n’ spills as the four sides battle it out, with punters advised to strongly consider Over/Under betting markets.
Group I
Teams: France, Norway, Senegal, and Iraq.
This group does not seem as clear-cut as the bookmakers make it out to be, offering short odds on France to finish first and very long odds on the Play-Off qualifier.
There appear to be fascinating clashes in this group despite France being formidable and full of flair.
Norway appear to be fearless, largely helped by Erling Haaland’s firepower as well as boasting a remarkable unbeaten record of having never lost to Brazil that spans four meetings.
Senegal should be self-assured, having scooped their second Africa Cup of Nations title. The West African side beat host nation Morocco 1-0 in extra time of January’s controversial final.
Group J
Teams: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.
Defending champions Argentina can be slick, yet there were shockwaves across the globe after they were stunned by Saudi Arabia in their opening group game at Qatar 2022.
That’s why Argentina are only joint fourth alongside Brazil (9.50 odds) to clinch the coveted 2026 World Cup trophy. Spain (5.50) sit as favourites ahead of England (7.00) and France (9.00).
Bookmakers place Algeria and Austria neck-and-neck to top the group, but are dismissive about the chances for FIFA World Cup debutants Jordan.
Yet Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami guided his troops to the FIFA 2025 Arab Cup final, where they fell 3-2 after extra time to Morocco in Qatar.
Algeria, AFCON 2025 quarter-finalists, return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014. Austria has waited since 1998 to book a FIFA World Cup berth, and under manager Ralf Rangnick have become a formidable opponent.
There should be some intriguing matches in Group J. Apart from Argentina, it is a virtually unknown quantity on such a big stage for the other three teams.
Group K
Teams: Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.
Portugal are tipped by the bookies to top the group, and lie as the seventh favourite team to win the tournament. At the 2022 World Cup, they were stunned 2-1 by South Korea in their group game and slipped up 1-0 in their quarter-final to Morocco.
This will be the last World Cup finals for Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be pushing hard to capture the Jules Rimet trophy at the grand age of 41.
Copa America runner-up Colombia, who sit just outside the top 10 FIFA ranking, are a major threat to Portugal and thumped Mexico 4-0 in a friendly last October. Colombia against Portugal could be a blockbuster game.
Bookmakers are offering very generous odds on the last-gasp qualifier of DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia to win the group.
Uzbekistan will make their World Cup debut, having qualified for the first time in eight attempts since it became an independent nation in 1991.
Former Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro, who as a player lifted the 2006 World Cup in Germany, was appointed Uzbekistan head coach in October. He has won three of his four games in charge, including a 2-0 triumph over Egypt. Bettors may fancy a punt on the Central Asia team, as bookies are offering extremely generous odds.
Group L
Teams: Croatia, England, Ghana and Panama.
England, among the favourites to triumph at the 2026 World Cup after impressing under head coach Thomas Tuchel during the qualifying campaign, have been drawn in a group with their nemesis Croatia.
Croatia edged past England 2-1 in the 2018 World Cup semi-final during extra time, but tasted a 1-0 defeat in their last meeting at Euro 2020. When these European titans clash, it tends to be a tight contest, which should result in a cracker inside the Dallas Stadium on 17 June.
Ghana, which failed to qualify for AFCON 2025 for the first time in 20 years, have slipped down the FIFA ranking under head coach Otto Addo. The Black Stars will need to dramatically lift their game to beat either England or Croatia.
Panama may be a long shot to progress from the group, yet they have emerged as a leading Central American team. They qualified for their maiden World Cup finals in 2018, missed out on reaching Qatar 2022, but have since built up a strong reputation.
Los Canaleros finished runner-up at both the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League. They will warm up for the 2026 World Cup with back-to-back friendlies against Bafana Bafana in South Africa at the end of March. This pair of matches will allow punters to evaluate whether it is worth betting on Panama.
World Cup 2026 Game Schedule
The first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 nations kicks off with 12 groups comprising four nations. A total of 16 teams will be eliminated after the 72 group games, with a knockout basis for the remaining 32 matches.
📅 Tournament Timeline
Group Stages: June 11 – June 27 ⚽
Round of 32: June 28 – July 3 🔜
Round of 16: July 4 – July 7 🔝
Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11 🏆
Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15 ✨
Bronze Final (3rd Place): July 18 🥉
The Final: July 19 (New York/New Jersey) 🥇
Group Games
The 72 round-robin matches at the 2026 World Cup will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States from 11-27 June.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June | 9pm | Mexico vs South Africa | A | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 12 June | 4pm | South Korea vs Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland | A | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 12 June | 9pm | Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales | B | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 13 June | 2am | Paraguayvs USA | D | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 13 June | 9pm | Qatar v Switzerland | B | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 14 June | Midnight | Brazil vs Morocco | C | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 14 June | 3am | Haiti vs Scotland | C | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 14 June | 6am | Australia vs Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Turkey | D | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
| 14 June | 7pm | Germany vs Curacao | E | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 14 June | 10pm | Japan vs Netherlands | F | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 15 June | 1am | Ecuador vs Ivory Coast | E | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 15 June | 4am | Tunisia vs Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine | F | Estadio Monterrey, Mexico |
| 15 June | 6pm | Cape Verde vs Spain | H | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 15 June | 9pm | Belgium vs Egypt | G | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 16 June | Midnight | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | H | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 16 June | 3am | Iran vs New Zealand | G | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 16 June | 9pm | France vs Senegal | I | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 17 June | Midnight | Norway vs Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname | I | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 17 June | 3am | Algeria vs Argentina | J | Kansas City Stadium, USA |
| 17 June | 6am | Austria vs Jordan | J | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 17 June | 7pm | Portugal vs DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia | K | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 17 June | 10pm | Croatia vs England | L | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 18 June | 1am | Ghana vs Panama | L | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 18 June | 4am | Colombia vs Uzbekistan | K | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 18 June | 6pm | South Africa vs Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland | A | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 18 June | 9pm | Switzerland vs Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Turkey | B | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 19 June | Midnight | Canada vs Qatar | B | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
| 19 June | 3am | Mexico vs South Korea | A | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 19 June | 9pm | Australia vs USA | D | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 20 June | Midnight | Morocco vs Scotland | C | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 20 June | 3am | Brazil vs Haiti | C | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 20 June | 6am | Paraguay vs Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Turkey | D | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 20 June | 7pm | Netherlands vs Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine | F | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 20 June | 10pm | Germany vs Ivory Coast | E | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 21 June | 2am | Ecuador vs Curacao | E | Kansas City Stadium, USA |
| 21 June | 6am | Japan vs Tunisia | F | Estadio Monterrey, Mexico |
| 21 June | 6pm | Saudi Arabia vs Spain | H | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 21 June | 9pm | Belgium vs Iran | G | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 22 June | Midnight | Cape Verde vs Uruguay | H | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 22 June | 3am | Egypt vs New Zealand | G | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
| 22 June | 7pm | Argentina vs Austria | J | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 22 June | 11pm | France vs Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname | I | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 23 June | 2am | Norway vs Senegal | I | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 23 June | 5am | Algeria vs Jordan | J | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 23 June | 7pm | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | K | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 23 June | 10pm | England vs Ghana | L | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 24 June | 1am | Croatia vs Panama | L | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 24 June | 4am | Colombia vs DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia | K | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 24 June | 9pm | Canada vs Switzerland | B | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
| 24 June | 9pm | Qatar vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales | B | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 25 June | Midnight | Haiti vs Morocco | C | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 25 June | Midnight | Brazil vs Scotland | C | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 25 June | 3am | Mexico vs Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland | A | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 25 June | 3am | South Africa vs South Korea | A | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 25 June | 10pm | Curacao vs Ivory Coast | E | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 25 June | 10pm | Ecuador vs Germany | E | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 1am | Japan vs Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname | F | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 1am | Netherlands vs Tunisia | F | Kansas City Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 4am | USA vs Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Turkey | D | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 4am | Australia vs Paraguay | D | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 9pm | France vs Norway | I | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 26 June | 9pm | Senegal vs DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia | I | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 27 June | 2am | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | H | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 27 June | 2am | Spain vs Uruguay | H | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
| 27 June | 5am | Belgium vs New Zealand | G | BC Place Vancouver, Canada |
| 27 June | 5am | Egypt vs Iran | G | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 27 June | 11pm | England vs Panama | L | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 27 June | 11pm | Croatia vs Ghana | L | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 28 June | 1.30am | Colombia vs Portugal | K | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 28 June | 1.30am | Uzbekistan vs DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia | K | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 28 June | 4am | Algeria vs Austria | J | Kansas City Stadium, USA |
| 28 June | 4am | Argentina vs Jordan | J | Dallas Stadium, USA |
Last 32
The top two nations from each group, along with the best eight 3rd-placed teams, will advance to the 2026 World Cup round of 32. These knockout games will take place in Canada, Mexico and the US between 28 June and 4 July.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 June | 9pm | Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up | 73 | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 29 June | 7pm | Group C Winner vs Group F Runner-up | 76 | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 29 June | 10.30pm | Group E Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 74 | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 30 June | 3am | Group C Runner-up vs Group F Winner | 75 | Estadio Monterrey, Mexico |
| 30 June | 7pm | Group E Runner-up vs Group I Runner-up | 78 | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 30 June | 11pm | Group I Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 77 | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 1 July | 3am | Group A Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 79 | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 1 July | 6pm | Group L Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 80 | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 1 July | 10pm | Group G Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 82 | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 2 July | 2am | Group D Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 81 | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, USA |
| 2 July | 9pm | Group H Winner vs Group J Runner-up | 84 | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 3 July | 1am | Group K Runner-up vs Group L Runner-up | 83 | Toronto Stadium, Canada |
| 3 July | 5am | Group B Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 85 | BC Place Vancouver, Canada |
| 3 July | 8pm | Group H Runner-up vs Group J Winner | 88 | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 4 July | Midnight | Group D Runner-up vs Group G Runner-up | 86 | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 4 July | 2.30am | Group K Winner vs Best 3rd Place Team | 87 | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
Last 16
The remaining 16 nations will battle it for a quarter-final berth in Canada, Mexico and the United States from 4-7 July.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 July | 7pm | Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75 | 90 | Houston Stadium, USA |
| 4 July | 11pm | Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 | 89 | Philadelphia Stadium, USA |
| 5 July | 10pm | Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78 | 91 | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
| 6 July | 2am | Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80 | 92 | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 6 July | 9pm | Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84 | 93 | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 7 July | 2am | Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82 | 94 | Seattle Stadium, USA |
| 7 July | 6pm | Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88 | 95 | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 7 July | 10pm | Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87 | 96 | BC Place, Vancouver, Canada |
Quarter-finals
A semi-final spot is up for grabs when the last eight teams meet on US soil from 9-11 July.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 July | 10pm | Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 97 | 97 | Boston Stadium, USA |
| 10 July | 9pm | Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94 | 98 | Los Angeles Stadium, USA |
| 11 July | 11pm | Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 | 99 | Miami Stadium, USA |
| 12 July | 3am | Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92 | 100 | Kansas City Stadium, USA |
Semi-finals
With four teams vying for glory, the two hotly contested games will be played on 14 July and 15 July.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July | 9pm | Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98 | 101 | Dallas Stadium, USA |
| 15 July | 9pm | Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 | 102 | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
3rd Place Play-off
The two losing World Cup 2026 semi-finalists will meet to fight it out for the bronze medal in Miami.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 July | 11pm | Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102 | 103 | Miami Stadium, USA |
Final
The finalists will be gunning for glory in the showpiece match in New York/New Jersey on 19 July.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Matchup | Match Number | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 July | 9pm | Winner Match 101 vs Winner Match 102 | 104 | New York New Jersey Stadium, USA |
World Cup 2026 Venues
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be spread across 16 cities, with the U.S. handling the lion's share of the action. To meet FIFA standards, several NFL stadiums are undergoing "surgeries" to widen pitches and swap artificial turf for natural grass.
🏟️ Venue Breakdown by Country
| Host Country | Total Matches | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 91 | Hosting the bulk of the tournament, including the Final and Semi-finals. |
| Mexico | 13 | Home to the historic opening match and high-altitude "fortress" stadiums. |
| Canada | 13 | Features the world's largest retractable roof in Vancouver. |
Canada
Canada will host 13 matches. The national team will play all three of their group games on home soil in Toronto and Vancouver, with Canadian supporters renowned for being both patriotic and vociferous.
| Stadium | Location | 2026 World Cup Games | First Opened | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver, British Colombia | Seven | 1993 | 54,000 |
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto, Ontario | Six | 2007 | 45,000 |
Mexico
Football matches in Mexico are comparable to a vibrant party, with loyal supporters passionate about El Tri and producing rhythmic chants. High energy from fans will be in abundance inside and outside the stadiums, which has the potential to intimidate opponents and their followers.
| Stadium | Location | 2026 World Cup Games | First Opened | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estadio Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco | Four | 2010 | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon | Four | 2015 | 53,500 |
| Mexico City Stadium | Mexico City | Five | 1966 | 83,000 |
United States
Games at all 11 host cities across the US will be boasted by the noise and enthusiasm of the American Outlaws, the country’s largest football supporter group.
| Stadium | Location | 2026 World Cup Games | First Opened | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta, Georgia | Eight | 2017 | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Foxborough, Massachusetts | Five | 2002 | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Arlington, Texas | Nine | 2009 | 94,000 |
| Houston Stadium | Houston, Texas | Seven | 2002 | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City, Missouri | Six | 1972 | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles, California | Eight | 2020 | 71,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida | Seven | 1987 | 65,000 |
| New York New Jersey Stadium | East Rutherford, New Jersey | Eight | 2010 | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Six | 2003 | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | Santa Clara, California | Six | 2014 | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle, Washington | Six | 2002 | 69,000 |
What Are South Africa’s Odds To Win The World Cup?
Bafana Bafana should arrive at the 2026 World Cup brimming with confidence, having topped their World Cup qualifying and pipped powerhouse Nigeria.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana enter the 2026 World Cup as spirited underdogs, marking their return to the world stage after a 16-year absence. Led by Hugo Broos, they are aiming to break their historical curse and advance past the group stage for the first time.
| SA Odds To Win 2026 World Cup | SA Odds To Qualify From World Cup Group A | SA Odds To Top World Cup Group A | SA Odds To Reach World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1001.00 | 2.25 | 13.00 | 13.00 |
Game Schedule for Bafana Bafana
South Africa will be based in the Mexican city of Pachuca for their three group games, which was selected to acclimatise with high altitude and to minimalise travel to matches.
The SA squad will be accommodated at the Camino Real Pachuca, a few kilometres from their training venue of Universidad del Futbol.
Bafana Bafana warmed up for the 2026 World Cup by reaching the last 16 at AFCON 2025. Their World Cup campaign kicks off against Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June. A draw is priced at 4.20, with victory over the co-host a whopping 6.80.
Although a yet to be determined qualifier from Europe tackles Bafana Bafana a week later, the South African side are viewed as underdogs for this clash by bookmakers.
Broos’ troops polish off their group games against South Korea in Guadalajara on 25 June, which on paper is Bafana Bafana’s best chance of registering a 2026 World Cup victory.
The top two nations from each group progress to the last 32, with the eight best 3rd-placed teams also reaching the knockout stages.
Should Bafana Bafana finish as group runner-up, they will be back in action against the Group B runner-up. Canada, Switzerland, Qatar or either qualifier Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Turkey would be SA’s opponent in Los Angeles on 28 June.
If South Africa sensationally top the group, they will face a 3rd-placed group team in Mexico City on 1 July.
Finishing as one of the best 3rd-placed nations would result in a more testing tie, although this will be largest-ever number of teams in the World Cup knockout stages.
| Date | KO Time (SAST) | Opponents For South Africa | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June | 9pm | Mexico | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico |
| 18 June | 6pm | South Africa vs Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland | Atlanta Stadium, USA |
| 25 June | 3am | South Africa vs South Korea | Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico |
Read More World Cup Content
FAQs
Where is the World Cup 2026 taking place?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
When is the World Cup 2026?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played from 11 June until 18 July.
How many teams are playing in the 2026 World Cup?
There are 48 teams competing at the 2026 World Cup finals, a record number of nations. This is an expansion from the 32 nations at Qatar 2022.
What is the timeline for the World Cup?
The 72 World Cup group games run from 11-27 June. The round of 32, which kicks off the knockout stages, takes place from 28 June to 4 July. The last 16 matches will be played from 4-7 July, with the quarter-finals held between 9-12 July and the semi-finals contested on 14 July and 15 July. The two losing semi-finalists clash for the 3rd/4th place on 18 July, with the showpiece 2026 World Cup final taking place on 19 July.
Which World Cup group is South Africa playing in?
South Africa have been drawn in Group A where they will tackle three group games against co-host Mexico, South Korea and a UEFA qualifier play-off winner (Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland).
Where can I watch the World Cup games in South Africa?
You can watch 2026 World Cup games in South Africa for free on SABC and via subscription on DStv. SABC will broadcast matches on SABC 1, SABC 3 and SABC Sport as well as streaming games on the SABC Plus app. DStv offers packages that include SuperSport channels and will stream matches on the DStv Now app.
/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/124x124/1683293922/katlego-modise.png)
Katlego Modise is a South African sports enthusiast turned sports betting expert. With years of experience analysing teams, studying trends, and placing strategic wagers on sports like soccer, cricket, and rugby, he's earned a trusted reputation in the industry for finding top sports betting sites in South Africa. He’s no stranger to the world of gambling, adding Lotto and Powerball aficionado to his repertoire. When not writing or betting, Katlego enjoys travelling and mentoring young athletes at a local sports academy.
Expert on:
Sports BettingSoccer BettingLottoBetting TipsPowerballNational Lottery/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/98x98/1675084905/springbok-casino-logo.png){kind=logo}
/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/98x98/1651670982/slotbox-logo.png){kind=logo}
/filters:quality(40)/fit-in/98x98/1666013664/silversand-casino-logo.png){kind=logo}