FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule — Every Match Date, Time & Channel

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest ever, and keeping track takes a map. It runs June 11 to July 19 across 16 cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with a record 104 matches and 48 teams (NBC News, 2026).

That's a lot of football to follow. When does each round start, and what channel carries it? We've laid out the full schedule by stage so you never miss a kickoff.

This guide breaks down the key dates, the round-by-round schedule, how many matches are in each stage, and which channel shows them.

What Are the Key World Cup 2026 Dates?

Five weeks, six stages. The tournament opens June 11 with Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, the USA kicks off June 12, and the final lands July 19 at MetLife Stadium (NBC News, 2026). Mark these in your calendar.

• Opening match — June 11, Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca.
• USA opener — June 12 vs Paraguay.
• Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

What's the Full Round-by-Round Schedule?

Here's the tournament stage by stage. Dates are confirmed at the round level, with exact match times released closer to each stage. All 104 matches air across FOX and FS1 in English (NBC News, 2026), with Telemundo and Universo in Spanish.

We update this schedule weekly as match times and fixtures are confirmed.

How Many Matches Are in Each Stage?

The 48-team format front-loads the group stage. Of the 104 total matches, 72 fall in the group stage alone, before the field narrows through the knockout rounds (NBC News, 2026). That's three weeks of near-constant football to start.

Which Channel Shows Each Round?

FOX takes the marquee games, FS1 the overflow. In English, 69 matches air on FOX and 35 on FS1, with the knockout rounds and final almost all on the main FOX network (NBC News, 2026). In Spanish, Telemundo carries 92 and Universo 12.

For the full channel rundown, see our guide to which IPTV channels show the World Cup.

How Do You Watch Every Round Live?

With one app that carries all four channels. Rather than switching between FOX One and Peacock, a single IPTV plan bundles FOX, FS1, Telemundo and Universo from $4.92 a month — every round, both languages, in 4K. It's the simplest way to follow a five-week tournament.

• All 104 matches — every round in English and Spanish.
• 4K, no buffering — see our no-buffering guide.
• 24-hour free trial — test it before the next match.

New to streaming the tournament? Start with how to watch the World Cup without cable or our best IPTV for the World Cup pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?

June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It's the first 48-team tournament with 104 matches, opening with Mexico vs South Africa and ending with the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium.

What channel is the World Cup 2026 on in the USA?

All 104 matches air on FOX and FS1 in English — 69 on FOX, 35 on FS1 — and on Telemundo and Universo in Spanish. One IPTV plan carries all four channels in either language.

How many World Cup 2026 matches are there?

There are 104 matches, up from 64, because the tournament expanded to 48 teams. The group stage has 72, followed by the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the July 19 final.

When is the World Cup 2026 final?

Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It airs on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish, and streams live through FOX One, Peacock or an IPTV plan.

Where can I watch the full schedule?

FOX Sports and FIFA publish the full 104-match schedule. To watch every round live without cable, an IPTV plan from $4.92 a month bundles FOX, FS1, Telemundo and Universo in one app.

Final Verdict

The 2026 World Cup packs 104 matches into five weeks, with most of the drama front-loaded in the 72-match group stage. Save this schedule and check back weekly as exact kickoff times firm up.

Our recommendation: line up your viewing now with the free 24-hour IPTV trial, so when the next round starts you've got FOX, FS1 and Telemundo ready in one place — no card required to begin.