TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Set to be the biggest edition in history, the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially on. Few preparations are as important as checking out the key dates on the World Cup schedule for football enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring they do not miss a moment of the action.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three countries for the first time: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will also mark the tournament's debut in a 48-team format, featuring 12 groups of four and a total of 104 matches.
At the conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout rounds, beginning with the Round of 32 for the first time ever.
Yet the road to World Cup glory won't begin without the tournament's opening matches. Mexico and South Africa will face off on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
According to USA Today, the game is a rematch of the 2010 World Cup opener in Johannesburg, which ended in a 1-1 draw. That same day, Czechia and South Korea will meet at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
Key Dates of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
Here are the key dates of the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, according to USA Today and ESPN:
Round of 32: June 28–July 3
Round of 16: July 4–7
Quarterfinals: July 9–11
Semifinals: July 14–15 | AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) and Mecedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Third-place game: July 18 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
Final: July 19 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
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