Group Stage Schedule

2026 World Cup
Group Stage

All 72 group stage matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — official dates, kick-off times, venues, and host cities across USA, Canada and Mexico. Groups A–L run from June 11 to June 27, 2026.

Planning to attend? Budget guide · Tickets guide · Transportation guide

Updated March 26, 2026 · Source: FIFA Official Draw & Schedule (Dec 5–6, 2025)

48
Teams
12
Groups
72
Matches
16
Stadiums
📋

At a Glance

Group Stage Starts
June 11, 2026
Group Stage Ends
June 27, 2026
Opening Match
Mexico vs South Africa · Azteca
Teams Advance
Top 2 per group + best 8 third-placed
Format
3 matchdays · simultaneous MD3

On This Page

All 12 GroupsMatchday 1Matchday 2Matchday 3VenuesFormatTipsFAQ
← Scroll for more →

All 12 Groups — 2026 World Cup Draw

Draw conducted December 5, 2025 at Foro Masaryk, Mexico City. View official draw results →

A
Group A
  • 🇲🇽Mexico
  • 🇰🇷South Korea
  • 🇿🇦South Africa
  • 🏴UEFA Play-off D(Play-off D)
B
Group B
  • 🇨🇦Canada
  • 🇨🇭Switzerland
  • 🇶🇦Qatar
  • 🏴UEFA Play-off A(Play-off A)
C
Group C
  • 🇧🇷Brazil
  • 🇲🇦Morocco
  • 🏴‍☠️Scotland
  • 🇭🇹Haiti
D
Group D
  • 🇺🇸USA
  • 🇦🇺Australia
  • 🇵🇾Paraguay
  • 🏴UEFA Play-off C(Play-off C)
E
Group E
  • 🇩🇪Germany
  • 🇪🇨Ecuador
  • 🇨🇮Côte d'Ivoire
  • 🇨🇼Curaçao
F
Group F
  • 🇳🇱Netherlands
  • 🇯🇵Japan
  • 🇹🇳Tunisia
  • 🏴UEFA Play-off B(Play-off B)
G
Group G
  • 🇧🇪Belgium
  • 🇮🇷Iran
  • 🇪🇬Egypt
  • 🇳🇿New Zealand

⚠️ Iran have withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup. What happens to Group G? →

H
Group H
  • 🇪🇸Spain
  • 🇺🇾Uruguay
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
  • 🇨🇻Cape Verde
I
Group I
  • 🇫🇷France
  • 🇸🇳Senegal
  • 🇳🇴Norway
  • 🌍FIFA Play-off 2(Play-off 2)
J
Group J
  • 🇦🇷Argentina
  • 🇦🇹Austria
  • 🇩🇿Algeria
  • 🇯🇴Jordan
K
Group K
  • 🇵🇹Portugal
  • 🇨🇴Colombia
  • 🇺🇿Uzbekistan
  • 🌍FIFA Play-off 1(Play-off 1)
L
Group L
  • 🏴‍☠️England
  • 🇭🇷Croatia
  • 🇵🇦Panama
  • 🇬🇭Ghana
1️⃣

Matchday 1

June 11–17, 2026

DateTime (EDT)GrpMatchCity
Jun 113:00 PM EDTA🇲🇽 Mexico vs South Africa 🇿🇦🇲🇽 Mexico City
Jun 119:00 PM EDTA🇰🇷 South Korea vs UEFA Play-off D 🏴🇲🇽 Guadalajara
Jun 1812:00 PM EDTA🏴 UEFA Play-off D vs South Africa 🇿🇦🇺🇸 Atlanta
Jun 189:00 PM EDTA🇲🇽 Mexico vs South Korea 🇰🇷🇲🇽 Guadalajara
Jun 123:00 PM EDTB🇨🇦 Canada vs UEFA Play-off A 🏴🇨🇦 Toronto
Jun 133:00 PM EDTB🇶🇦 Qatar vs Switzerland 🇨🇭🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay Area
Jun 183:00 PM EDTB🇨🇭 Switzerland vs UEFA Play-off A 🏴🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Jun 189:00 PM EDTB🇨🇦 Canada vs Qatar 🇶🇦🇨🇦 Vancouver
Jun 136:00 PM EDTC🇧🇷 Brazil vs Morocco 🇲🇦🇺🇸 New York/New Jersey
Jun 139:00 PM EDTC🇭🇹 Haiti vs Scotland 🏴‍☠️🇺🇸 Boston
Jun 129:00 PM EDTD🇺🇸 USA vs Paraguay 🇵🇾🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Jun 1312:00 AM EDTD🇦🇺 Australia vs UEFA Play-off C 🏴🇨🇦 Vancouver
Jun 141:00 PM EDTE🇩🇪 Germany vs Curaçao 🇨🇼🇺🇸 Houston
Jun 147:00 PM EDTE🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador 🇪🇨🇺🇸 Philadelphia
Jun 144:00 PM EDTF🇳🇱 Netherlands vs Japan 🇯🇵🇺🇸 Dallas
Jun 149:00 PM EDTF🏴 UEFA Play-off B vs Tunisia 🇹🇳🇲🇽 Monterrey
Jun 159:00 PM EDTG🇮🇷 Iran vs New Zealand 🇳🇿🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Jun 153:00 PM EDTG🇧🇪 Belgium vs Egypt 🇪🇬🇺🇸 Seattle
Jun 1512:00 PM EDTH🇪🇸 Spain vs Cape Verde 🇨🇻🇺🇸 Atlanta
Jun 156:00 PM EDTH🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay 🇺🇾🇺🇸 Miami
Jun 163:00 PM EDTI🇫🇷 France vs Senegal 🇸🇳🇺🇸 New York/New Jersey
Jun 166:00 PM EDTI🌍 FIFA Play-off 2 vs Norway 🇳🇴🇺🇸 Boston
Jun 169:00 PM EDTJ🇦🇷 Argentina vs Algeria 🇩🇿🇺🇸 Kansas City
Jun 1712:00 AM EDTJ🇦🇹 Austria vs Jordan 🇯🇴🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay Area
2️⃣

Matchday 2

June 18–23, 2026

DateTime (EDT)GrpMatchCity
Jun 196:00 PM EDTC🏴‍☠️ Scotland vs Morocco 🇲🇦🇺🇸 Boston
Jun 199:00 PM EDTC🇧🇷 Brazil vs Haiti 🇭🇹🇺🇸 Philadelphia
Jun 193:00 PM EDTD🇺🇸 USA vs Australia 🇦🇺🇺🇸 Seattle
Jun 199:00 PM EDTD🏴 UEFA Play-off C vs Paraguay 🇵🇾🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay Area
Jun 204:00 PM EDTE🇩🇪 Germany vs Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮🇨🇦 Toronto
Jun 208:00 PM EDTE🇪🇨 Ecuador vs Curaçao 🇨🇼🇺🇸 Kansas City
Jun 201:00 PM EDTF🇳🇱 Netherlands vs UEFA Play-off B 🏴🇺🇸 Houston
Jun 2112:00 AM EDTF🇹🇳 Tunisia vs Japan 🇯🇵🇲🇽 Monterrey
Jun 213:00 PM EDTG🇧🇪 Belgium vs Iran 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Jun 219:00 PM EDTG🇳🇿 New Zealand vs Egypt 🇪🇬🇨🇦 Vancouver
Jun 2112:00 PM EDTH🇪🇸 Spain vs Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦🇺🇸 Atlanta
Jun 216:00 PM EDTH🇺🇾 Uruguay vs Cape Verde 🇨🇻🇺🇸 Miami
Jun 225:00 PM EDTI🇫🇷 France vs FIFA Play-off 2 🌍🇺🇸 Philadelphia
Jun 228:00 PM EDTI🇳🇴 Norway vs Senegal 🇸🇳🇺🇸 New York/New Jersey
Jun 221:00 PM EDTJ🇦🇷 Argentina vs Austria 🇦🇹🇺🇸 Dallas
Jun 2211:00 PM EDTJ🇯🇴 Jordan vs Algeria 🇩🇿🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay Area
Jun 171:00 PM EDTK🇵🇹 Portugal vs FIFA Play-off 1 🌍🇺🇸 Houston
Jun 1710:00 PM EDTK🇺🇿 Uzbekistan vs Colombia 🇨🇴🇲🇽 Mexico City
Jun 231:00 PM EDTK🇵🇹 Portugal vs Uzbekistan 🇺🇿🇺🇸 Houston
Jun 2310:00 PM EDTK🇨🇴 Colombia vs FIFA Play-off 1 🌍🇲🇽 Guadalajara
Jun 174:00 PM EDTL🏴‍☠️ England vs Croatia 🇭🇷🇺🇸 Dallas
Jun 177:00 PM EDTL🇬🇭 Ghana vs Panama 🇵🇦🇨🇦 Toronto
Jun 234:00 PM EDTL🏴‍☠️ England vs Ghana 🇬🇭🇺🇸 Boston
Jun 237:00 PM EDTL🇵🇦 Panama vs Croatia 🇭🇷🇨🇦 Toronto
3️⃣

Matchday 3

June 24–27, 2026

ℹ️

Simultaneous kick-offs

Both matchday 3 games within each group kick off simultaneously to prevent match manipulation — a FIFA rule since 1986. Plan your MD3 travel around a single city.

DateTime (EDT)GrpMatchCity
Jun 249:00 PM EDTA🏴 UEFA Play-off D vs Mexico 🇲🇽🇲🇽 Mexico City
Jun 249:00 PM EDTA🇿🇦 South Africa vs South Korea 🇰🇷🇲🇽 Monterrey
Jun 249:00 PM EDTB🇨🇭 Switzerland vs Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦 Vancouver
Jun 243:00 PM EDTB🏴 UEFA Play-off A vs Qatar 🇶🇦🇺🇸 Seattle
Jun 246:00 PM EDTC🏴‍☠️ Scotland vs Brazil 🇧🇷🇺🇸 Miami
Jun 246:00 PM EDTC🇲🇦 Morocco vs Haiti 🇭🇹🇺🇸 Atlanta
Jun 2510:00 PM EDTD🏴 UEFA Play-off C vs USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Jun 2510:00 PM EDTD🇵🇾 Paraguay vs Australia 🇦🇺🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay Area
Jun 254:00 PM EDTE🇪🇨 Ecuador vs Germany 🇩🇪🇺🇸 New York/New Jersey
Jun 254:00 PM EDTE🇨🇼 Curaçao vs Côte d'Ivoire 🇨🇮🇺🇸 Philadelphia
Jun 257:00 PM EDTF🇯🇵 Japan vs UEFA Play-off B 🏴🇺🇸 Dallas
Jun 257:00 PM EDTF🇹🇳 Tunisia vs Netherlands 🇳🇱🇺🇸 Kansas City
Jun 2611:00 PM EDTG🇪🇬 Egypt vs Iran 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Seattle
Jun 2611:00 PM EDTG🇳🇿 New Zealand vs Belgium 🇧🇪🇨🇦 Vancouver
Jun 268:00 PM EDTH🇨🇻 Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦🇺🇸 Houston
Jun 268:00 PM EDTH🇺🇾 Uruguay vs Spain 🇪🇸🇲🇽 Guadalajara
Jun 263:00 PM EDTI🇳🇴 Norway vs France 🇫🇷🇺🇸 Boston
Jun 263:00 PM EDTI🇸🇳 Senegal vs FIFA Play-off 2 🌍🇨🇦 Toronto
Jun 2710:00 PM EDTJ🇩🇿 Algeria vs Austria 🇦🇹🇺🇸 Kansas City
Jun 2710:00 PM EDTJ🇯🇴 Jordan vs Argentina 🇦🇷🇺🇸 Dallas
Jun 277:00 PM EDTK🇨🇴 Colombia vs Portugal 🇵🇹🇺🇸 Miami
Jun 277:00 PM EDTK🌍 FIFA Play-off 1 vs Uzbekistan 🇺🇿🇺🇸 Atlanta
Jun 275:00 PM EDTL🇵🇦 Panama vs England 🏴‍☠️🇺🇸 New York/New Jersey
Jun 275:00 PM EDTL🇭🇷 Croatia vs Ghana 🇬🇭🇺🇸 Philadelphia

Group Stage Venues

All 16 host stadiums are active during the group stage.

CityStadium
🇺🇸 AtlantaMercedes-Benz Stadium
🇺🇸 BostonGillette Stadium
🇺🇸 DallasAT&T Stadium
🇲🇽 GuadalajaraEstadio Akron
🇺🇸 HoustonNRG Stadium
🇺🇸 Kansas CityGEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
🇺🇸 Los AngelesSoFi Stadium
🇲🇽 Mexico CityEstadio Azteca
🇺🇸 MiamiHard Rock Stadium
🇲🇽 MonterreyEstadio BBVA
🇺🇸 New York/New JerseyMetLife Stadium
🇺🇸 PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial Field
🇺🇸 San Francisco Bay AreaLevi's Stadium
🇺🇸 SeattleLumen Field
🇨🇦 TorontoBMO Field
🇨🇦 VancouverBC Place

Group Stage Format Explained

📐 12 Groups of 4 Teams (A–L)

For the first time, the World Cup uses 12 groups, reflecting the expanded 48-team format introduced for 2026. Every team plays three matches — one per matchday.

✅ 32 of 48 Teams Advance (67%)

The top two teams in each group advance automatically to the Round of 32 — 24 qualifiers. The remaining 8 spots go to the best eight third-placed teams across all 12 groups.

🏆 Points System

Win = 3 pts · Draw = 1 pt · Loss = 0 pts

⚖️ Tiebreakers (in order)

(1) Points · (2) Goal difference · (3) Goals scored · (4) H2H points · (5) H2H goal difference · (6) H2H goals scored · (7) Fair-play points · (8) FIFA ranking

ℹ️

Why simultaneous matchday 3?

After the Disgrace of Gijón at the 1982 World Cup — where two teams played out a convenient draw after the other group match was already decided — FIFA mandated that final group-round matches kick off simultaneously. All 12 groups follow this rule at the 2026 tournament.

New in 2026: With 32 of 48 teams advancing (67%), the group stage is more forgiving than the 32-team format (50%). A loss in matchday 1 doesn't eliminate you — best third-place finishers still advance.

🛡️

Protect Your World Cup Trip

World Cup tickets are non-refundable. Travel insurance covers cancellations, medical emergencies, lost baggage and flight delays — from $50 for 2-week coverage.

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Group Stage Planning Tips

1. Lock in matchday 3 travel first

Both MD3 games per group kick off simultaneously — you can only be in one city. Decide which group you're following and book accommodation near that stadium before anything else.

2. Mexico City is a budget base

Estadio Azteca hosts Group A and Group K matches. At $150–250/night for mid-range hotels vs. $400+ in NYC or LA, Mexico City is one of the cheapest host cities to base yourself in.

3. Dallas, Houston and Kansas City offer best US value

AT&T Stadium (Dallas), NRG Stadium (Houston), and Arrowhead (Kansas City) host high-profile group games at significantly lower hotel costs than coastal cities. Dallas alone hosts Netherlands, Argentina, and England group matches.

4. Open-jaw flights cut cross-border costs

If you want to catch matches across all three host countries, book open-jaw flights (fly into one city, depart from another) to avoid expensive backtracking. Budget $300–700 for inter-country hops.

5. Third-place spots keep matchday 3 stakes high

Because 8 of 12 third-placed teams advance, even so-called 'dead rubber' games have real qualification stakes — keeping late group stage resale tickets more affordable than in past tournaments.

See also: Budget guide · Transportation guide

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Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Kansas City, and LA are car-friendly cities. Compare all major brands — from $40/day.

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Group Stage FAQs

48 teams are split into 12 groups of four teams each (Groups A–L). Each team plays three group stage matches, for a total of 72 group stage matches.
The group stage begins June 11, 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca and concludes June 27, 2026 with simultaneous matchday 3 fixtures.
The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, giving 24 automatic qualifiers. The remaining 8 spots go to the best eight third-placed teams across all 12 groups.
The tournament opens June 11, 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — which also hosted the opening of the 1970 and 1986 World Cups.
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), Dallas (AT&T Stadium), and New York/NJ (MetLife Stadium) each host the most group stage games. Mexico City hosts Group A and Group K matches.
Yes. Both matchday 3 matches within each group kick off simultaneously — a rule introduced after the Disgrace of Gijón at the 1982 World Cup.
Group C (Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti) and Group H (Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde) are widely considered the most competitive groups.
USA are in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and a UEFA Play-off team. Their opener vs Paraguay is at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles on June 12. Check the Group D schedule above for all dates.
All 16 host stadiums are used: MetLife (NJ), AT&T (Dallas), SoFi (LA), Levi's (SF Bay Area), Hard Rock (Miami), NRG (Houston), Mercedes-Benz (Atlanta), Arrowhead (KC), Lincoln Financial (Philadelphia), Gillette (Boston), Lumen Field (Seattle), BC Place (Vancouver), BMO Field (Toronto), Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara), and Estadio BBVA (Monterrey).
FIFA releases tickets in multiple phases. Check the official FIFA ticketing portal at FIFA.com for the latest availability. Resale platforms also carry tickets, typically at 1.5–3× face value.

⚡ Quick Facts

Total group matches
72
Teams per group
4
Matchdays
3 per group
Teams advancing
32 of 48
Host countries
USA, Canada, Mexico
Opening match
Jun 11 · Mexico City
Group stage ends
June 27, 2026

Related Guides

Full Tournament Schedule

Knockout rounds, semis & Final

Budget Guide

$2,500–$6,000 per person

Tickets Guide

How to buy FIFA tickets

Transportation

Getting between cities

Stadium Guides

All 16 World Cup venues

City Guides

16 host cities explored

🔗 Official Sources

FIFA Official Tournament Page FIFA Scores & Fixtures Official Draw Results