World Cup 2026: Full match schedule, groups, teams and start times

You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.

After years of planning, preparations, and no shortage of controversy, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is about to kickoff.

The event, cohosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, is the biggest in the competition’s history.

The 23rd edition, which will be played in an expanded 48-team tournament, begins its 104 matches with Mexico against South Africa on Tuesday.

Argentina are the defending champions, having lifted the trophy at Qatar 2022, but who will claim the prized title in global football this time?

In the run-up to Thursday’s opening game, Al Jazeera has compiled the complete guide for everything you need to know about its teams, groups, format and schedule.

⚽ Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic (South Korea), Czechia (Czech Republic) ⚽ Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland ⚽ Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland ⚽ Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye ⚽ Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador ⚽ Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia ⚽ Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand ⚽ Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay ⚽ Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway ⚽ Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan ⚽ Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia ⚽ Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

The tournament will open on June 11 at 1pm CST (19:00 GMT) at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico.