**Announcing the Schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Highlights and Dates**
The world's biggest sporting event is back! The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in North America, bringing together the best soccer players from around the globe to compete on the largest stage in football history.
### Highlights
- **Host Cities**: The tournament will be hosted by six cities across three different countries:
- **USA**: Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, and Salt Lake City.
- **Canada**: Edmonton, Vancouver, Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, Halifax, and St. John’s.
- **Mexico**: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Toluca, Ciudad Juárez, Querétaro, León, Morelia, and Veracruz.
- **Number of Teams**: The tournament will feature 32 teams divided into eight groups of four teams each. Each group will play a round-robin competition, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout phase.
- **Knockout Phase**: The knockout phase will consist of sixteen matches, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final match.
- **Cup Format**: The tournament will follow a standard format, with the winner crowned the champion.
### Dates
- **Kickoff Date**: The tournament will begin on November 18, 2026.
- **Final Match**: The championship game will be played on December 18, 2026.
### Key Dates to Remember
- **Group Stage**: October 15, 2026 – March 4, 2027
- **Round of 16**: April 19, 2027 – May 13, 2027
- **Quarterfinals**: June 17, 2027 – July 1, 2027
- **Semifinals**: July 8, 2027 – July 22, 2027
- **Final**: December 18, 2026
This schedule ensures that fans across the globe can enjoy the excitement of the tournament throughout the summer months. The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be an unforgettable experience, showcasing the best of soccer and bringing people from all corners of the world closer together.