FIFA World Cup 2026: Dates, fixtures, stadiums, tickets and everything you need to know
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www.fourfourtwo.comHere are the latest widely reported dates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Overall tournament window: June 11 to July 19, 2026. This aligns with the hosts' announcements and major outlets noting a June–July schedule for the expanded 48-team format.[1][3][5]
- Hosts and format: The World Cup will be hosted across three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with 48 teams competing for the first time in this multi-host format.[3][8]
- Opening matches and final: The opening matches are scheduled in mid-June (with matches in Mexico City, Toronto, and other venues across the three countries), and the final is set for July 19, 2026, in the New York-New Jersey area (metropolitan area).[6][7][3]
- Key milestone dates (planning context): The group stage runs through late June, followed by the knockout rounds starting around June 28–29, with the final staged on July 19, 2026.[5][1][6]
If you’d like, I can pull exact match-by-match dates and venues once the official draw is announced, or provide a concise planning calendar (with potential ticket windows) tailored to your location (Buffalo, NY) and travel preferences.
Citations:
- World Cup 2026 dates and schedule overview including June 11–27 group stage and final on July 19, 2026.[1]
- Host nations and 48-team format with final in New Jersey/NY area.[3][6]
- FIFA and other outlets confirming opening matches in June and final date July 19, 2026.[7][8]