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2026 World Cup: Scores, Schedule, Group Updates and Viewing Details

2026 World Cup Overview

The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup have wrapped up, finalizing the 48 teams set to compete across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. The tournament officially started on June 11, with host nations already positioned in their groups.

Host Teams' Group Stage Matches

United States, placed in Group D, kicked off their campaign on June 12 with a 4-1 victory against Paraguay. Upcoming group matches include games against Australia and Türkiye.

Canada competes in Group B, starting with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. They will face Qatar and Switzerland next.

Mexico had the honor of hosting the opening match at Estadio Azteca, securing a 2-0 win over South Africa. Their group also includes Korea Republic and Czechia.

Qualified Teams by Confederation

  • AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq
  • CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
  • CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
  • CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
  • OFC: New Zealand
  • UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia

Tournament Format and Structure

The tournament features 12 groups of four teams each. Every team plays three group stage games. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers advance to the knockout rounds, totaling 32 teams.

Tiebreakers apply in this order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, fair play record, then drawing of lots.

FIFA introduced a new system to ensure that the highest-ranked teams cannot meet before the semifinals if they win their groups. For example, Spain and defending champion Argentina, ranked first and second respectively, are placed on opposite sides of the bracket. The same applies to France (third) and England (fourth).

Teams from the same confederation cannot be drawn into the same group except for European nations.

Group A to L Highlights and Fixtures

  • Mexico
  • South Africa
  • Korea Republic
  • Czechia

June 11: Mexico 2-0 South Africa; Korea Republic 2-1 CzechiaJune 18: Czechia vs South Africa (Atlanta), Mexico vs Korea Republic (Guadalajara)June 24: Czechia vs Mexico (Mexico City), South Africa vs Korea Republic (Monterrey)

  • Canada
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Qatar
  • Switzerland

June 12: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and HerzegovinaJune 13: Switzerland 1-1 QatarJune 18: Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (Inglewood), Canada vs Qatar (Vancouver)June 24: Switzerland vs Canada (Vancouver), Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar (Seattle)

Similar detailed schedules continue for Groups C through L, highlighting results and venues across multiple cities including Miami, Seattle, Toronto, and more.

Knockout Stage Schedule

Starting June 28, the round of 32 begins, spreading across stadiums such as SoFi Stadium in California, NRG Stadium in Houston, and Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Round of 16 matches take place July 4-7, quarterfinals July 9-11, semifinals on July 14 and 15, third-place match on July 18, and the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

Join the World Cup Fun

2026 Soccer Pick Em with FOX One offers fans a chance to test their World Cup knowledge. This free Yahoo Fantasy game lets players make picks each round, earn points, and compete on leaderboards either solo or within groups.

Players can challenge friends or join public and featured groups competing alongside soccer analysts and personalities.

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