The group stage runs June 11 to June 27. That is 17 days and 72 matches. Every group plays three rounds of games called matchdays. Here is a clear timetable showing when each group takes the field.

MATCHDAY 1: JUNE 11 TO JUNE 15

The first matchday covers all 12 groups. Every team plays its opening match by June 15.

June 11
Group A, Game 1: Mexico vs. South Africa at 3:00 PM ET in Mexico City (Tournament opener)
Group A, Game 2: South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D Winner in Mexico City

June 12
Group B, Game 1: Canada vs. UEFA Playoff A Winner at 3:00 PM ET in Toronto
Group D, Game 1: USA vs. Paraguay at 9:00 PM ET in Los Angeles

June 13
Group C, Game 1: Brazil vs. Morocco at 6:00 PM ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Group C, Game 2: Haiti vs. Scotland in Boston

June 14
Group E, Game 1: Germany vs. Curaçao at 1:00 PM ET in Houston
Group J, Game 1: Austria vs. Jordan in Santa Clara, California

June 15
Group G, Game 1: Belgium vs. Egypt in Seattle
Group H, Game 1: Spain vs. Cape Verde in Atlanta
Group F, Game 1: Iran vs. New Zealand in San Francisco Bay Area

MATCHDAY 2: JUNE 16 TO JUNE 21

The second round of games shapes the standings. Some teams face a must-win situation. Others can start thinking about the knockout stage.

June 16
Group I, Game 1: France vs. Senegal at 3:00 PM ET in East Rutherford
Group I, Game 2: Intercontinental Playoff 2 Winner vs. Norway at 6:00 PM ET in Boston
Group J, Game 2: Argentina vs. Algeria at 9:00 PM ET in Kansas City

June 17
Group K, Game 1: Portugal vs. Intercontinental Playoff 1 Winner at 1:00 PM ET in Houston
Group L, Game 1: England vs. Croatia at 4:00 PM ET in Dallas
Group L, Game 2: Ghana vs. Panama at 7:00 PM ET in Toronto
Group K, Game 2: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia at 10:00 PM ET in Mexico City

June 18
Group A, Game 3: UEFA Playoff D Winner vs. South Africa at noon ET in Atlanta
Group B, Game 2: Switzerland vs. UEFA Playoff A Winner at 3:00 PM ET in Los Angeles
Group B, Game 3: Canada vs. Qatar at 6:00 PM ET in Vancouver
Group A, Game 4: Mexico vs. South Korea in Mexico City

June 19
Group C, Game 3: Scotland vs. Morocco in Boston
Group D, Game 2: USA vs. Australia at 3:00 PM ET in Seattle
Group D, Game 3: UEFA Playoff C Winner vs. Paraguay in Santa Clara
Group C, Game 4: Brazil vs. Haiti at 6:00 PM ET in Miami

June 20
Group E, Game 3: Ecuador vs. Curaçao in Kansas City
Group F, Game 2: Netherlands vs. UEFA Playoff B Winner in Vancouver
Group G, Game 3: Belgium vs. Iran in Seattle

June 21
Group H, Game 3: Spain vs. Saudi Arabia in Atlanta
Group J, Game 3: Jordan vs. Algeria in Santa Clara

MATCHDAY 3: JUNE 22 TO JUNE 27 (FINAL ROUND)

This is the most important matchday in the group stage. FIFA requires both games in each group to kick off at exactly the same time. No team gets an advantage by watching the other game first.

June 22: Group I final games (simultaneous) and Group J final games (simultaneous)
June 23: Group K final games and Group L final games
June 24: Group B final games and Group C final games
June 25: Group D final games and Group F final games
June 26: Group G final games and Group H final games
June 27: Group A final games and Group E final games

AFTER THE GROUP STAGE

The Round of 32 opens June 28. This is the first time this round has ever existed at a FIFA World Cup 2026 Timetable. Thirty-two teams enter. Only sixteen move forward. The pace quickens fast from here toward the July 19 Final.