FIFA World Cup 2026: Full schedule, venues and key results from group stage to quarterfinals
FIFA World Cup 2026 fans get the complete schedule and key outcomes as the tournament — running from June 11 to July 19, 2026 — unfolds across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Opening summary of the tournament
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the largest edition in history, with 48 teams competing across 16 venues in three host countries. The expanded format has produced 104 matches and raised stakes for third-placed teams, with group-stage kickoffs listed in Central European Summer Time to help European viewers follow the action. Organizers have staggered fixtures across six to nine hours of time difference from Central Europe, and public broadcasters and pay services split coverage across the knockout rounds.
Germany’s campaign and elimination
Germany were drawn in Group E alongside Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador and began the tournament strongly with a 7–1 victory over Curaçao in Houston on June 14. A 2–1 win against Ivory Coast in Toronto on June 20 kept momentum, but a 2–1 defeat to Ecuador in New York on June 25 left Germany vulnerable entering the knockouts. In the round of 16 on June 29 in Boston, Germany drew 1–1 with Paraguay but were eliminated after a penalty shootout, failing to convert their tournament hopes into a deeper run.
Round of 16 results and surprises
The round of 16 produced several notable outcomes across North America. Hosts and contenders recorded mixed nights: Brazil beat Japan 2–1 in Houston on June 29, while the Netherlands bowed out to Morocco after penalties in Monterrey. Mexico secured a 2–0 win over Ecuador in Mexico City on July 1, and England advanced by defeating DR Congo 2–1 in Atlanta the same day. Belgium edged Senegal 3–2 after extra time in Seattle, and the United States progressed with a 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco on July 2.
Knockout schedule through to the final
The tournament’s knockout calendar is tightly packed, with the new round of 16 feeding a staggered set of last-16 fixtures that lead into quarterfinals, semifinals and the July 19 final in New York. Quarterfinal matches are scheduled in Boston, Los Angeles, Miami and Kansas City from July 9–12, followed by semifinals in Dallas (July 14) and Atlanta (July 15). The third-place game is set for July 18 in Miami, and the final takes place on July 19 in New York. Broadcasters have arranged prime-time windows for European audiences by converting local kickoff times to Central European Summer Time.
Host cities and stadium capacities
Sixteen stadiums are hosting matches: eleven in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. Venues range from Toronto’s 45,000-seat stadium and Vancouver’s BC Place to Mexico City’s Azteca with around 83,000 capacity. Major U.S. sites include the large-capacity stadium in Arlington near Dallas (roughly 94,000 seats), East Rutherford’s New York–New Jersey venue (about 82,500 seats) and Foxborough near Boston (approximately 65,000 seats). The continental spread has meant long travel for some teams but has also showcased varied atmospheres and climates across the tournament.
Broadcast rights and viewing options in Europe
In Germany and much of Europe, public-service broadcasters ARD and ZDF are carrying a substantial share of the event, together showing 60 of the tournament’s 104 matches. The Telekom platform MagentaTV holds comprehensive rights and is streaming every match on a subscription basis. ARD and ZDF also provide live streams via their respective sports apps and media libraries, while Magenta offers its own streaming service for full-match access and supplementary programming.
The tournament’s format has amplified importance for third-placed teams: the top two in each of the 12 groups qualify directly, and the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new round of 16. Tiebreakers proceed from goal difference to goals scored, direct comparison, and ultimately fair-play points if teams remain level.
The expanded World Cup has delivered dramatic scorelines, penalty shootouts and tightly scheduled knockout rounds, while logistical challenges — including time-zone conversion for European viewers and travel between distant venues — have shaped both team preparation and fan planning.
As the competition moves into the quarterfinals and the continental hosts prepare for the decisive weeks, attention will shift to squad fitness, refereeing decisions and tactical adaptations that could determine who reaches the July 19 final in New York.
