The 2026 World Cup promises to be an unforgettable event for football fans, featuring an expanded format with 104 matches played throughout the tournament. No matter how you imagine experiencing the World Cup, having a well-planned schedule is key.
Below is a complete overview of the 2026 World Cup schedule to help you prepare for this highly anticipated competition. You can use them in Excel or Google Sheets. And there are formulas inside those spreadsheets that will automate the group standings and place them in Knock Out rounds based on scores that you typed.
When is the World Cup 2026?
The tournament will run from Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, July 19, 2026, and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A total of 48 national teams will compete over 39 days, with matches held across 16 stadiums in the three host countries.
This edition marks the first time the World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in 2022. During the group stage, teams will be organized into twelve groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the newly introduced Round of 32.
What are the Final Countries Still Competing for 2026 World Cup Qualification?
As of December 2025, six World Cup qualification spots remain undecided and will be determined in March 2026 through two separate playoff competitions.
UEFA Play-Offs – 4 Spots
Sixteen European teams will compete for the remaining UEFA places: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia. These teams will be drawn into four playoff paths, with each path producing one World Cup qualifier. The semifinals are scheduled for March 26, 2026, followed by the finals on March 31, 2026.
FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament – 2 Spots
Six teams from outside UEFA will contest the final two World Cup places: Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname. Representing multiple confederations, these teams will compete in a mini-tournament featuring semifinals on March 26, 2026, and two decisive finals on March 31, 2026. The winners of the finals will secure their spots at the 2026 World Cup.
When is the Draw for the 2026 World Cup?
The draw took place on December 5, 2025. The draw determined the twelve groups of four teams with their schedule. Undecided teams will also have the schedule so they will know their opponents once they qualify.
What are the groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Group A:
- Mexico
- South Korea
- South Africa
- Denmark/Macedonia/Czechia/Ireland
Group B:
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Qatar
- Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia
Group C:
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Haiti
Group D:
- USA
- Australia
- Paraguay
- Turkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E:
- Germany
- Ecuador
- Ivory Coast
- Curacao
Group F:
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
- Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
Group G:
- Belgium
- Iran
- Egypt
- New Zealand
Group H:
- Spain
- Uruguay
- Saudi Arabia
- Cape Verde
Group I:
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
Group J:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Algeria
- Jordan
Group K:
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- DRC/Jamaica/New Caledonia
Group L:
- England
- Croatia
- Panama
- Ghana
Who will qualify to Knock Out Rounds?
Top two teams from 12 groups will advance to Knock Out Rounds plus 8 best 3-placed teams. Teams are ranked by these tie-breakers criteria.
- Most points obtained in the group matches played between the teams concerned;
- Superior goal difference in the group matches played between the teams concerned;
- Most goals scored in the group matches played between the teams concerned;
- If, after having applied above criteria, teams still had an equal ranking, criteria above are reapplied exclusively to the matches between the teams who are still level to determine their final rankings. If this procedure does not lead to a decision, criteria below apply.
- Superior goal difference in all group matches;
- Most goals scored in all group matches;
- Highest team conduct (“fair play”) score in all group matches (only one deduction can be applied to a player or team coach/official in a single match):
– Yellow card: −1 point;
– Indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
– Direct red card: −4 points;
– Yellow card and direct red card: −5 points; - Better position in the most recent FIFA Men’s World Ranking;
- Better position in progressively older FIFA Men’s World Rankings until teams can be separated;
The stage-wise breakdown of the tournament’s schedule is:
Group stage: June 11 to June 27
Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
Round of 16: July 4-7
Quarterfinals: July 9-11
Semifinals: July 14-15
3 Place match: July 18
Final: July 19
How to Use 2026 World Cup Schedule Template
It is simple. Type scores and everything will be adjusted accordingly. Do not forget to set it to suit your time and language.
You can download the full schedule below.
Template will be available by March 2026 after all participants are confirmed