The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just months away, with the playoff matches deciding the final qualifiers to be played at the end of March.
Below, we list the 2026 World Cup schedule with AEST times and dates for both the group stage and knockout stage.
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We also list the schedule for the remaining UEFA and FIFA playoff games which will determine the last six qualifiers, along with how the knockout stage will look based on the group assignments.
The 48 tournament entrants – 42 confirmed nations plus six playoff qualifiers – have been divided into four groups of 12 teams for the group stage.
Those group stage games will be played from June 12 to June 28, 2026 (all times and dates AEST), with Mexico to open the tournament at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca against South Africa – a repeat of the 2010 opener.
The knockout stage begins with the round of 32 from June 29, all leading up to the World Cup final on July 20 at New York/New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
All times and dates AEST.
WORLD CUP 2026 GROUPS
Group A
Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
UEFA Playoff D (Denmark, Czechia, Ireland or North Macedonia, TBD April 1)
Group B
Canada
UEFA Playoff A (Italy, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Northern Ireland, TBD April 1)
Qatar
Switzerland
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Group D
USA
Paraguay
Australia
UEFA Playoff C (Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania, TBD April 1)
Group E
Germany
Curacao
Cote d’Ivoire
Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine, Poland, Albania or Sweden, TBD April 1)
Tunisia
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran*
New Zealand
Group H
Spain
Cabo Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Group I
France
Senegal
FIFA Playoff 2 (Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname, TBD April 1)
Norway
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Group K
Portugal
FIFA Playoff 1 (DR Congo, New Caledonia or Jamaica, TBD April 1)
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
Note: Iran’s status in Group G is uncertain due to the US-Israel attack on the nation.
UEFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS SCHEDULE
Path A (winner enters Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland)
Italy vs Northern Ireland, 6:45am on March 27 (Italy hosts)
Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6:45am on March 27 (Wales hosts)
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2, 6:45am on April 1 (Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts)
Path B (winner enters Group F with Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia)
Ukraine vs Sweden, 6:45am on March 27 (neutral venue in Valencia)
Poland vs Albania, 6:45am on March 27 (Poland hosts)
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2, 6:45am on April 1 (neutral venue in Valencia or Sweden hosts)
Path C (winner enters Group D with USA, Paraguay and Australia)
Turkey vs Romania, 4am on March 27 (Turkey hosts)
Slovakia vs Kosovo, 6:45am on March 27 (Slovakia hosts)
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2, 6:45am on April 1 (Slovakia or Kosovo hosts)
Path D (winner enters Group A with Mexico, South Africa and South Korea)
Denmark vs North Macedonia, 6:45am on March 27 (Denmark hosts)
Czechia vs Republic of Ireland, 6:45am on March 27 (Czechia hosts)
Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2, 6:45am on April 1 (Czechia or Ireland hosts)
FIFA PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Path 1 (winner enters Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia)
New Caledonia vs Jamaica, 1pm on March 27, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Winner vs DR Congo, 8am on April 1, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Path 2 (winner enters Group I with France, Senegal and Norway)
Bolivia vs Suriname, 10am on March 27, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Winner vs Iraq, 2pm on April 1, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Note: Iraq’s status is uncertain with many of the team’s players unable to travel due to the US-Israel attack on Iran.
SOCCEROOS WARM-UP GAMES
Australia vs Cameroon, Friday March 27 at 8:10pm, Accor Stadium in Sydney
Live on Channel 10 and streaming
Australia vs Curacao, Tuesday March 31 at 8:10pm, AAMI Park in Melbourne
Live on Channel 10 and streaming
Australia vs Mexico, Sunday May 31 at 11am, Rose Bowl in Los Angeles
Live only via streaming
WHO WILL THE TEAMS ADVANCING FROM EACH GROUP PLAY IN THE KNOCKOUT STAGE?
Group A
Winner vs Third Placer from Group C/E/F/H/I – July 1, Mexico City
Runner-Up vs Group B Runner-Up – June 29, Los Angeles
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group E/G – June 30, Boston or July 2, Seattle
Group B
Winner vs Third Placer from Group E/F/G/I/J – July 3, Vancouver
Runner-Up vs Group A Runner-Up – June 29, Los Angeles
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group D/E – June 30, Boston or July 2, San Francisco
Group C
Winner vs Group F Runner-Up – June 30, Houston
Runner-Up vs Winner Group F – June 30, Monterrey
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group A/E/I
Group D
Winner vs Third Placer from Group B/E/F/I/J – July 2, San Francisco
Runner-Up vs Group G Runner-Up – July 4, Dallas
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group E/I/K
Group E
Winner vs Third Placer from Group A/B/C/D/F – June 30, Boston
Runner-Up vs Group I Runner-Up – July 1, Dallas
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group A/B/D/G/K/L
Group F
Winner vs Group C Runner-Up – June 30, Monterrey
Runner-Up vs Winner Group C – June 30, Houston
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group A/B/D/E/I
Group G
Winner vs Third Placer from Group A/E/H/I/J – July 2, Seattle
Runner-Up vs Group D Runner-Up – July 4, Dallas
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group B/I – July 3, Vancouver or July 1, New York
Group H
Winner vs Group J Runner-Up – July 3, Los Angeles
Runner-Up vs Winner Group J – July 4, Miami
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group A/G/I/L
Group I
Winner vs Third Placer from Group C/D/F/G/H – July 1, New York
Runner-Up vs Group E Runner-Up – July 1, Dallas
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group A/B/D/G/K/L
Group J
Winner vs Group H Runner-Up – July 4, Miami
Runner-Up vs Group H Winner – July 3, Los Angeles
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group B/D/G/K/L
Group K
Winner vs Third Placer from Group D/E/I/J/L – July 4, Kansas City
Runner-Up vs Group L Runner-Up – July 3, Toronto
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group L – July 2, Atlanta
Group L
Winner vs Third Placer from Group E/H/I/J/K – July 2, Atlanta
Runner-Up vs Group K Runner-Up – July 3, Toronto
Potential Third Placer vs Winner from Group K – July 4, Kansas City
Group Winner, Runner-Up plus eight best-ranked Third Place finishers all advance
Specific opponents for best Third Place finishers will be determined after the final matchday, based on which groups they emerge from
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP SCHEDULE
All times and dates AEST
Friday, 12 June 2026
Match 1 – Group A – Mexico vs South Africa – 5am, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Match 2 – Group A – South Korea vs UEFA D – 12pm, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Saturday, 13 June 2026
Match 3 – Group B – Canada va UEFA A – 5am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 4 – Group D – USA vs Paraguay – 11am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Match 8 – Group B – Qatar vs Switzerland – 5am, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Match 7 – Group C – Brazil vs Morocco – 8am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 5 – Group C – Haiti vs Scotland – 11am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 6 – Group D – Australia vs UEFA C – 2pm, BC Place, Vancouver
Monday, 15 June 2026
Match 10 – Group E – Germany vs Curacao – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 11 – Group F – Netherlands vs Japan – 6am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 9 – Group E – Cote d’Ivoire vs Ecuador – 9am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 12 – Group F – UEFA B vs Tunisia – 12pm, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Match 14 – Group H – Spain vs Cabo Verde – 2am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 16 – Group G – Belgium vs Egypt – 5am, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 13 – Group H – Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay – 8am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 15 – Group G – Iran vs New Zealand – 11am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Match 17 – Group I – France vs Senegal – 5am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 18 – Group I – FIFA Playoff 2 vs Norway – 8am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 19 – Group J – Argentina vs Algeria – 11am, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Match 20 – Group J – Austria vs Jordan – 2pm, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Match 23 – Group K – Portugal vs FIFA Playoff 1 – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 22 – Group L – England vs Croatia – 6am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 21 – Group L – Ghana vs Panama – 9am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 24 – Group K – Uzbekistan vs Colombia – 12pm, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Friday, 19 June 2026
Match 25 – Group A – UEFA D vs South Africa – 2am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 26 – Group B – Switzerland vs UEFA A – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 27 – Group B – Canada va Qatar – 8am, BC Place, Vancouver
Match 28 – Group A – Mexico vs South Korea – 11am, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Saturday, 20 June 2026
Match 32 – Group D – USA vs Australia – 5am, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 30 – Group C – Scotland vs Morocco – 8am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 29 – Group C – Brazil vs Haiti – 11am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 31 – Group D – UEFA C vs Paraguay – 2pm, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Match 35 – Group F – Netherlands vs UEFA B – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 33 – Group E – Germany vs Cote d’Ivoire – 6am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 34 – Group E – Ecuador vs Curacao – 9am, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Match 36 – Group F – Tunisia vs Japan – 12pm, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Monday, 22 June 2026
Match 38 – Group H – Spain vs Saudi Arabia – 2am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 39 – Group G – Belgium vs Iran – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 37 – Group H – Uruguay vs Cabo Verde – 8am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 40 – Group G – New Zealand vs Egypt – 11am, BC Place, Vancouver
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Match 43 – Group J – Argentina vs Austria – 3am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 42 – Group I – France vs FIFA Playoff 2 – 7am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 41 – Group I – Norway vs Senegal – 10am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 44 – Group J – Jordan vs Algeria – 1pm, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Match 47 – Group K – Portugal vs Uzbekistan – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 45 – Group L – England vs Ghana – 6am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 46 – Group L – Panama vs Croatia – 9am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 48 – Group K – Colombia vs FIFA Playoff 1 – 12pm, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Thursday, 25 June 2026
Match 51 – Group B – Switzerland vs Canada – 5am, BC Place, Vancouver
Match 52 – Group B – UEFA A vs Qatar – 5am, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 49 – Group C – Scotland vs Brazil – 8am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 50 – Group C – Morocco vs Haiti – 8am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 53 – Group A – UEFA D vs Mexico – 11am, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Match 54 – Group A – South Africa vs South Korea – 11am, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Friday, 26 June 2026
Match 55 – Group E – Curacao vs Cote d’Ivoire – 6am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 56 – Group E – Ecuador vs Germany – 6am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 57 – Group F – Japan vs UEFA B – 9am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 58 – Group F – Tunisia vs Netherlands – 9am, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Match 59 – Group D – UEFA C vs USA – 12pm, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 60 – Group D – Paraguay vs Australia – 12pm, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Saturday, 27 June 2026
Match 61 – Group I – Norway vs France – 5am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 62 – Group I – Senegal vs FIFA Playoff 2 – 5am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 65 – Group H – Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia – 10am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 66 – Group H – Uruguay vs Spain – 10am, Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
Match 63 – Group G – Egypt vs Iran – 1pm, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 64 – Group G – New Zealand vs Belgium – 1pm, BC Place, Vancouver
Sunday, 28 June 2026
Match 67 – Group L – Panama vs England – 7am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 68 – Group L – Croatia vs Ghana – 7am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 71 – Group K – Colombia vs Portugal – 9:30am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 72 – Group K – FIFA Playoff 1 vs Uzbekistan – 9:30am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 69 – Group J – Algeria vs Austria – 12pm, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
Match 70 – Group J – Jordan vs Argentina – 12pm, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
ROUND OF 32
Monday, 29 June 2026
Match 73 – Runner-Up Group A vs Runner-Up Group B – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Match 76 – Winner Group C vs Runner-Up Group F – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 74 – Winner Group E vs Third-Place Group A/B/C/D/F(Could be Australia) – 6:30am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)
Match 75 – Winner Group F vs Runner-Up Group C – 11am, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Wednesday, 1 July 2026
Match 78 – Runner-Up Group E vs Runner-Up Group I – 3am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 77 – Winner Group I vs Third-Place Group C/D/F/G/H (Could be Australia) – 7am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 79 – Winner Group A vs Third-Place Group C/E/F/H/I – 11am, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Match 80 – Winner Group L vs Third-Place Group E/H/I/J/K – 2am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 82 – Winner Group G vs Third-Place Group A/E/H/I/J – 6am, Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 81 – Winner Group D (Could be Australia) vs Third-Place Group B/E/F/I/J – 10am, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara (San Francisco)
Friday, 3 July 2026
Match 84 – Winner Group H vs Runner-Up Group J – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 83 – Runner-Up Group K vs Runner-Up Group L – 9am, BMO Field, Toronto
Match 85 – Winner Group B vs Third-Place Group E/F/G/I/J – 1pm, BC Place, Vancouver
Saturday, 4 July 2026
Match 88 – Runner-Up Group D (Could be Australia) vs Runner-Up Group G – 4am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 86 – Winner Group J vs Runner-Up Group H – 8am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 87 – Winner Group K vs Third-Place Group D/E/I/J/L (Could be Australia) – 11:30am, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
ROUND OF 16
Sunday, 5 July 2026
Match 90 – Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75 – 3am, NRG Stadium, Houston
Match 89 – Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 – 7am, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (Potential Australia path as third-placer)
Monday, 6 July 2026
Match 91 – Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78 – 6am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)
Match 92 – Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80 – 10am, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Match 93 – Winner Match 83 vs Winner March 84 – 5am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Match 94 – Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82 – 10am, Lumen Field, Seattle (Potential Australia path as group winner)
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Match 95 – Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88 – 2am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (Potential Australia path as group runner-up)
Match 96 – Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87 – 6am, BC Place, Vancouver (Potential Australia path as third-placer)
QUARTER-FINALS
Friday, 10 July 2026
Match 97 – Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90 – 6am, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston) (Potential Australia path as third-placer)
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Match 98 – Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94 – 5am, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles (Potential Australia path as group winner)
Sunday, 12 July 2026
Match 99 – Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92 – 7am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Match 100 – Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96 – 11am, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (Potential Australia path as group runner-up or third-placer)
SEMI-FINALS
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
Match 101 – Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98 – 5am, AT&T Stadium, Arlington (Dallas)
Thursday, 16 July 2026
Match 102 – Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100 – 5am, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
THIRD-PLACE GAME
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Match 103 – Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102 – 7am, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
WORLD CUP FINAL
Monday, 20 July 2026
Match 104 – Winner Match 101 vs Winner Match 102 – 5am, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (New York)