Complete World Cup 2026 Schedule & AI Match Probabilities
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from June 11 to July 19. Here is the complete tournament schedule and structure — paired with where to find live, AI-powered win probabilities for every single fixture.
World Cup 2026 Tournament Structure
| Stage | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 – June 27 | 72 |
| Round of 32 | June 29 – July 3 | 16 |
| Round of 16 | July 5 – July 8 | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | July 10 – July 11 | 4 |
| Semi-finals | July 14 – July 15 | 2 |
| Third-place play-off | July 18 | 1 |
| Final | July 19 (MetLife Stadium) | 1 |
Key Dates to Remember
- June 11 — Opening match: Mexico kick off the tournament at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
- June 27 — Group stage ends: the 32 knockout qualifiers are confirmed, including the eight best third-placed teams.
- July 19 — Final: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
How the Expanded 48-Team Format Works
Twelve groups of four. The top two from each group advance automatically, joined by the eight best third-placed teams — 32 nations reaching a new Round of 32. This format keeps almost every group-stage match meaningful right up to the final whistle, and it’s exactly why our match-by-match probabilities matter so much for following the race.
AI Win Probabilities for Every Match
Our free predictor provides live, daily-updated win probabilities and simulated scorelines for all 104 matches. As results come in, the model re-calculates qualification odds in real time. Explore the full group-by-group breakdown via our group stage predictions hub, or jump straight to any group: Group A through Group L analysis is all live.
Match Days Explained: How the Group Stage Flows
The group stage runs in waves. The opening round (June 11–17) introduces all 48 teams. The second round (June 18–23) is where group narratives take shape. The decisive third round (June 24–27) features simultaneous kick-offs within each group to preserve sporting integrity — meaning multiple matches you’ll want to follow at once. Our match predictions help you prioritise which games carry the highest qualification stakes on any given day.
Time Zones: When to Watch From Your Region
Because venues span from Vancouver to Miami, kick-off times vary widely. For UK fans, most matches fall in comfortable evening slots (5pm–11pm BST). For Australian viewers, prime fixtures land in the early morning. Our daily predictions feed lists each day’s fixtures so you can plan your viewing — and a VPN ensures you never lose access to your home broadcaster wherever you are.
Knockout Schedule: The Road to July 19
After the group stage, the new Round of 32 (June 29–July 3) launches the knockouts, narrowing to the Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. Each round compresses the field and raises the stakes — and our simulator re-calculates every team’s title probability after each result. Bookmark the predictor to follow the bracket in real time.
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How to Watch every match on the schedule Live From Anywhere
Major World Cup 2026 fixtures draw enormous global audiences — and that brings two problems: overloaded free streams and geo-restrictions that block your home broadcaster the moment you travel. With Proton VPN, you connect to a server in your home country and unblock your national broadcaster (BBC, CBC, Fox, SBS and more) in full 4K Ultra HD from anywhere in the world. Swiss privacy, no logs, streaming-optimised servers. 👉 Stream every World Cup 2026 match live with Proton VPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the World Cup 2026 start and finish?
It runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
How many matches are there at World Cup 2026?
104 matches — up from 64 — because of the expanded 48-team format.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.
AI predictions for all 104 World Cup 2026 matches
Free win probabilities and simulated scorelines, updated daily.
Playing fantasy? See our best AI tools for World Cup 2026 fantasy football.
Get the AI prediction for every World Cup 2026 match
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