The World Cup 26 Schedule runs six weeks. Breaking it down by week makes the entire tournament easier to follow. Here is what happens each week from opening day on June 11 to the Final on July 19.
WEEK 1: JUNE 11 TO JUNE 17
Stage: Group Stage Matchday 1
All 48 teams play their first game during this week. Twelve group stage games each day on average.
Biggest Games This Week:
Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11, Mexico City, 3:00 PM ET (Tournament opener)
USA vs. Paraguay, June 12, Los Angeles, 9:00 PM ET
Brazil vs. Morocco, June 13, East Rutherford NJ, 6:00 PM ET
Germany vs. Curaçao, June 14, Houston, 1:00 PM ET
France vs. Senegal, June 16, East Rutherford NJ, 3:00 PM ET
Argentina vs. Algeria, June 16, Kansas City, 9:00 PM ET
England vs. Croatia, June 17, Dallas, 4:00 PM ET
What to Watch: Week 1 delivers the biggest opening batch in World Cup history. Twenty-four matches across seven days. The France vs. Senegal and England vs. Croatia rematches stand out immediately.
WEEK 2: JUNE 18 TO JUNE 24
Stage: Group Stage Matchday 2
Every team plays its second group game. The table starts to take shape. Some teams already face a must-win situation heading into the final matchday.
Biggest Games This Week:
Mexico vs. South Korea, June 18, Mexico City
USA vs. Australia, June 19, Seattle, 3:00 PM ET
Brazil vs. Haiti, June 19, Miami, 6:00 PM ET
Argentina vs. Austria, June 22, Dallas
France vs. IC Playoff 2 Winner, June 22, Philadelphia
England vs. Ghana, June 23, Boston
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, June 23, Houston
What to Watch: By the end of Week 2, group standings are becoming clear. Any team that lost in Week 1 and draws or loses again is likely finished. Upsets are still very possible.
WEEK 3: JUNE 25 TO JULY 1
Stage: Group Stage Matchday 3 and Start of Round of 32
The group stage finishes on June 27. The Round of 32 opens June 28.
Key Dates:
USA final group game, June 25, Los Angeles
Argentina final group game, June 27
England final group game, June 27, Dallas
Round of 32 opens, June 28
Round of 32 ends, July 3 (first four matches only in this week)
What to Watch: The final group matchday is always the most dramatic day of the tournament. Multiple groups will have their qualification picture decided in the final minutes. The Round of 32 then begins with no rest.
WEEK 4: JULY 2 TO JULY 8
Stage: Round of 32 conclusion and Round of 16
Round of 32 finishes: July 3
Round of 16: July 4 to July 6
Key Date: July 4. Independence Day in the USA. FIFA scheduled major matches on this date deliberately. American fans have a national holiday built around watching soccer.
By July 6, only 8 teams remain. Every game from this point is a true elimination match.
WEEK 5: JULY 9 TO JULY 15
Stage: Quarterfinals and Semifinals
Quarterfinals: July 9 to July 11 (four matches, all in the USA)
Semifinal 1: July 14, AT&T Stadium, Dallas
Semifinal 2: July 15, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
What to Watch: This is the week that defines the tournament. The quarterfinals set the stage. Both semifinals play in climate-controlled stadiums. The two winners meet four days later in New Jersey.
WEEK 6: JULY 16 TO JULY 19
Stage: Third-Place Match and World Cup Final
Third-Place Match: July 18, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 5:00 PM ET
World Cup Final: July 19, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ, 3:00 PM ET
What to Watch: The first World Cup Final with a live halftime show. Global Citizen and Chris Martin of Coldplay produce the halftime entertainment. FIFA also plans a fan event at Times Square on July 18 and 19.