FIFA World Cup 2026
World Cup 2026 Countdown
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, 2026. Here's how long until the opening whistle.
Time until kick-off
Mexico vs South Africa
June 11, 2026 · 19:00 UTC · Estadio Azteca
Key Dates
June 11, 2026
Opening Match — Mexico vs South Africa
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
June 27, 2026
Group Stage ends
All venues
July 9, 2026
Quarter-finals completed
Various venues
July 14, 2026
Semi-finals completed
Various venues
July 19, 2026
World Cup Final
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Tournament at a Glance
48
Nations
12
Groups
104
Matches
16
Venues
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, 2026. The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, starting at 19:00 UTC (15:00 ET / 21:00 CEST).
What is the opening match of the 2026 World Cup?
Mexico vs South Africa opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world with a capacity of 87,523.
When is the 2026 World Cup Final?
The World Cup Final is on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. The stadium holds 82,500 fans.
How long is the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs for 39 days, from the opening match on June 11 to the Final on July 19, 2026.
See the Full Match Schedule
All 104 fixtures with kickoff times in your local timezone. Filter by group, team or date.
Open Schedule