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2026 World Cup: Scores, Fixtures, Group Updates and Viewing Guide

The qualifying playoffs have wrapped up, confirming the 48 teams that will compete this summer across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The December draw placed 42 teams into groups, while six spots were reserved for playoff winners.

United States, as a host, secured an automatic berth in Group D. Their campaign kicks off on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, facing Paraguay, followed by matches against Australia and Türkiye. Canada opens Group B against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto's BMO Field on June 12, then takes on Qatar and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Mexico hosted the tournament opener with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at Estadio Azteca and will play Korea Republic and Czechia in Group A.

Qualified Teams Overview

  • AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Iraq
  • CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, DR Congo
  • CONCACAF: United States, Canada, Mexico, Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
  • CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
  • OFC: New Zealand
  • UEFA: England, France, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia

Tournament Structure and Key Changes

The competition features 12 groups of four teams each. Each team plays three matches within their group, aiming to advance to the knockout stage. Thirty-two teams move forward: the top two from each group plus the eight best third-place finishers. Tiebreakers follow this order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, fair play record, then drawing lots.

This year, FIFA introduced a new bracket design preventing the highest-ranked teams from clashing before the semifinals if they win their groups. For example, Spain (ranked first) and defending champions Argentina (second) are placed in separate paths. The same applies to France (third) and England (fourth).

Teams from the same confederation cannot share a group except for European sides.

Group Stage Highlights and Fixtures (Eastern Time)

Similar details continue for Groups C through L with matches spanning June 11 to June 27 across various stadiums in the host countries.

Knockout Rounds Schedule

The Round of 32 begins on June 28 at SoFi Stadium, featuring matchups determined by group standings. The last-16 games take place from July 4 to 7 at venues like NRG Stadium and MetLife Stadium.

Quarterfinals are set for July 9-11, semifinals on July 14 and 15, with the third-place game on July 18. The final showdown happens on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Engage with the Tournament

Fans can join the 2026 Soccer Pick Em with FOX One, a free Yahoo Fantasy game that lets players pick winners each round and climb leaderboards. Options include playing solo, with friends in private groups, public contests, or competing with experts and analysts.

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