2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, finals and fan reactions across North America
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged from June 11 to July 19, 2026, co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is the tournament’s first edition with 48 national teams and will be played in 16 venues – 11 in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada.
The group stage opens with Mexico versus South Africa in Mexico City, and the competition will feature 104 matches over 39 days. The championship match is set for July 19 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where, for the first time in World Cup history, “the final includes a full halftime show, produced in partnership with Global Citizen.” The halftime show will feature artists such as Post Malone, Laura Pausini, Robbie Williams, Shakira, BTS and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
Beyond the on‑field action, the tournament has highlighted cultural differences for visiting fans. A survey of 58 overseas supporters titled “America, What Are You Doing To Me?” collected the most surprising culture shocks they experienced while attending matches in the United States, underscoring the broader social impact of the event.