Complete Guide to Groups, Fixtures, Venues & Nigerian Match Times
The biggest football tournament on the planet is finally here. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest edition in history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations: United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City and the final set for New York/New Jersey.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Czechia
Group B
- Canada
- Switzerland
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Qatar
Group C
- Brazil
- Scotland
- Morocco
- Haiti
Group D
- Argentina
- Egypt
- Austria
- Costa Rica
Group E
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Ecuador
- Curaçao
Group F
- Germany
- Tunisia
- Colombia
- Japan
Group G
- Belgium
- Iran
- Croatia
- Cameroon
Group H
- Spain
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
- Cape Verde
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Norway
- Iraq
Group J
- Portugal
- DR Congo
- United States
- Paraguay
Group K
- Italy
- Chile
- Australia
- Colombia
Group L
- England
- Ghana
- Denmark
- New Zealand
The World Cup features 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32.
Opening Week Fixtures (Nigerian Time – WAT, UTC+1)
Thursday, June 11, 2026
| Match | Nigerian Time |
|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | 9:00 PM |
| South Korea vs Czechia | 11:00 PM |
Friday, June 12, 2026
| Match | Nigerian Time |
|---|---|
| Canada vs Switzerland | 9:00 PM |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar | 11:00 PM |
| USA vs Paraguay | 2:00 AM (June 13) |
Saturday, June 13, 2026
| Match | Nigerian Time |
|---|---|
| Brazil vs Scotland | 12:00 AM |
| Morocco vs Haiti | 12:00 AM |
| France vs Senegal | 11:00 PM |
Sunday, June 14, 2026
| Match | Nigerian Time |
|---|---|
| Netherlands vs Japan | 9:00 PM |
| Germany vs Tunisia | 11:00 PM |
Times are converted from North American local schedules to West Africa Time (Nigeria).
Host Cities and Stadiums
The tournament will be played across 16 host cities in North America.
United States Host Cities
- New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium (Final Venue)
- Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
- Dallas – AT&T Stadium
- Houston – NRG Stadium
- Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Miami – Hard Rock Stadium
- Seattle – Lumen Field
- Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field
- Boston – Gillette Stadium
- Kansas City – Arrowhead Stadium
- San Francisco Bay Area – Levi’s Stadium
Canada Host Cities
- Toronto – BMO Field
- Vancouver – BC Place
Mexico Host Cities
- Mexico City – Estadio Azteca (Opening Match Venue)
- Guadalajara – Estadio Akron
- Monterrey – Estadio BBVA
Key Tournament Dates
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 – June 27 |
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3 |
| Round of 16 | July 4 – July 7 |
| Quarter-finals | July 9 – July 11 |
| Semi-finals | July 14 – July 15 |
| Third Place Match | July 18 |
| Final | July 19 |
Biggest Matches Nigerian Fans Should Watch
- Brazil vs Scotland
- France vs Senegal
- England vs Ghana
- Portugal vs USA
- Spain vs Saudi Arabia
- Belgium vs Iran
- Argentina vs Egypt
- Netherlands vs Japan
These matches feature some of the tournament’s biggest stars, including Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be the biggest football spectacle ever, with 48 nations battling across North America for the most coveted trophy in world football. Nigeria may not be participating, but Nigerian fans can still enjoy a month of elite football, unforgettable moments, and fierce international rivalries.
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