The 2026 World Cup will mark a historic turning point. For the first time, 48 nations (compared to 32 previously) will compete for the ultimate title across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This new format features an expanded group stage with 12 groups of 4 teams .

🏆 The competition format

1. Group stage: The top two from each group and the 8 best third-placed teams join the knockout stage.
2. New feature: The round of 32 has been introduced, adding an extra match on the road to victory (making a total of 8 matches for the finalists).

📅 Key dates to remember

1. June 11: Opening match (Mexico - South Africa at Azteca Stadium).
2. June 17: Argentina, the defending champions, enter the competition.
3. June 28 to July 3: Round of 32.
4. July 4-7: Round of 16.
5. July 9-12: Quarter-finals.
6. July 14 and 15: Semi-finals.
7. July 19: Grand Final at MetLife Stadium in New York.

🇫🇷 Focus: The French National Team's schedule

Didier Deschamps' French national team will play in Group I. Here are their fixtures (Paris time):

1. June 16 (9 p.m.): France – Senegal (New York)
2. June 22 (11 p.m.): France – Winner of the Play-off (Philadelphia)
3. June 26 (9 p.m.): Norway – France (Boston)

🗓️ Group Stage Schedule (Poster Selection)

All times are given in Paris time.

Date	Match	Band	Place
June 11 (9 p.m.)	Mexico – South Africa	HAS	Mexico
June 13 (3 a.m.)	United States – Paraguay	D	Los Angeles
June 14 (00:00)	Brazil – Morocco	C	new York
June 14 (7 p.m.)	Germany – Curaçao	E	Houston
June 15 (6 p.m.)	Spain – Cape Verde	H	Atlanta
June 16 (00:00)	Saudi Arabia – Uruguay	H	Miami
June 17 (3 a.m.)	Argentina – Algeria	J	Kansas City
June 17 (10 p.m.)	England – Croatia	L	Dallas
June 18 (4 a.m.)	Uzbekistan – Colombia	K	Mexico

🏟️ Final Phase: The road to New York

Round of 32 (June 28 - July 3)

The tournament switches to a knockout format with 16 matches spread over 6 days in all the host cities (Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City, Toronto, etc.).

Round of 16, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals

1. Round of 16: The clashes intensify from July 4 to 7.
2. Quarters: July 9, 10, 11 and 12.
3. Semi-finals:
4. July 14 (9 p.m.) in Dallas.
5. July 15 (9pm) in Atlanta.

Finals

1. Small final (3rd place): July 18 in Miami.
2. Final: Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. at MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey).

Note: This schedule includes play-off winners whose final identities will be confirmed shortly before the tournament. Will Lionel Messi's Argentina manage to retain their trophy against the European powerhouse and Brazil's resurgence? We'll find out in the summer of 2026.