2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule: Dates, Groups, Locations and How to Watch

The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule is drawing intense attention from fans across the globe as the tournament prepares to make history as the largest edition of the competition ever held. Spanning the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the expanded 48-team event will feature more matches, more groups, and more drama than any previous World Cup.

NBC Sports has published a comprehensive guide covering the full bracket, match dates, host city locations, group stage results, and viewing information for fans in the United States.

Where and When the 2026 World Cup Will Be Played

The tournament will be hosted across 16 cities spread over three countries, making it the first World Cup to be co-hosted by three nations. Venues in the United States carry the bulk of the matches, including the final, while Canadian and Mexican cities will host group stage and knockout round games.

The expanded format means the group stage alone will involve 12 groups of four teams each. Every nation plays three group matches, with the top two from each group plus the best eight third-place finishers advancing to a 32-team knockout round. That structure adds a meaningful number of extra games compared to the 32-team format used at every World Cup since 1998.

Exact kick-off times and stadium assignments for each match are part of the full schedule NBC Sports has compiled, giving fans a clear picture of when and where their national team will play.

Groups, Bracket, and Results

With 48 teams divided across 12 groups, the group stage will run over a longer window than in past tournaments. Nations from six continental confederations qualified through their respective regional competitions, and the draw determined which teams share a group.

The bracket structure after the group stage moves through a round of 32, then a round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match, and finally the final. That extra round of 32 is a new addition specific to the 48-team format and gives fans an additional knockout stage to follow.

Results will be updated throughout the tournament as matches are completed. Tracking those results alongside the bracket is essential for understanding which teams are advancing and which elimination scenarios are in play at any given point.

How to Watch in the United States

NBC Sports and its affiliated platforms hold broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. That means matches will be available across NBC, Telemundo, and streaming options connected to those networks, giving English- and Spanish-speaking audiences broad access.

Fans who prefer streaming can use Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service, which is expected to carry matches alongside traditional television broadcasts. Specific channel assignments for individual games will depend on the match and time slot, so checking the full schedule on NBC Sports is the most reliable way to confirm where each game will air.

The three-country hosting arrangement also means time zones will vary depending on which city a match is played in, ranging from Eastern to Pacific time in the United States and crossing into Mexico and Canada as well. Early group stage kick-offs in some cities may fall during morning or midday hours on the East Coast, while West Coast viewers could find prime-time slots for matches held nearby.

What Makes 2026 Different

Beyond the expanded team count, the 2026 World Cup carries added significance as a North American showcase. The United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. Mexico hosted in both 1970 and 1986. Canada has never hosted before, making 2026 a landmark moment for football in that country.

The scale of the event, 104 matches in total across the full tournament, is a major jump from the 64 matches played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That volume means more opportunities for upsets, more players reaching global audiences for the first time, and a longer period of sustained attention on the sport.

NBC Sports' full schedule hub serves as a central resource for fans looking to plan around the tournament, covering everything from opening group games through to the final.