Latest World Cup 26 Fixtures & Times

Planning your World Cup viewing is essential, especially with matches spread across different time zones. Our complete guide to the World Cup fixtures is here to help you organise your schedule so you never miss a key match of the tournament.

The Tournament Schedule

The 2026 World Cup features a 48-team group stage, resulting in 72 matches before the knockout rounds even begin. The tournament kicks off on June 11th with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa. After the opener, the action comes thick and fast, with an average of three matches played each day, ensuring a continuous festival of football for the entire 39-day cycle.

More Than Just a Schedule

Our fixture list is designed to give you deeper insight ahead of every game. By clicking on an individual match - for instance, the opening game between Mexico and South Africa - you can access a wealth of pre-match information:

• Info: This section provides the core match details. For example, you will see that the game is set for June 11th, 2026, at the iconic Estadio Azteca, and you will also find the name of the appointed head referee.


• Line-ups: Shortly before kick-off, we publish the official starting line-ups and formations for both teams. You can see which players are starting and who is available on the bench to make an impact later in the game.


• Table: We highlight both teams within their group standings. This allows you to quickly see their current points, goal difference, and overall record, which is crucial for understanding the stakes of the match, especially before the final group games.


• H2H: The head-to-head record is essential viewing, showing you the results of previous encounters between the two nations. For example, you might see that Mexico and South Africa have played twice before, drawing 1-1 in 2010 and with Mexico winning 2-1 in 2005. This history can offer clues about how the next match might unfold.



Follow the World Cup live scores and full-time results with LiveScore.

Frequently Asked Questions on World Cup Fixtures

How many games will be played in total at the 2026 World Cup?

With the new 48-team format, a total of 104 matches will be played. This includes 72 games in the group stage, followed by 32 matches in the knockout rounds, from the round of 32 all the way to the final.

What is the most attended World Cup match in history?

The official record for the most attended match in World Cup history belongs to the 1950 final between Brazil and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with an estimated attendance of nearly 200,000 spectators.