The biggest World Cup in history is set to unfold across Mexico, the United States and Canada, with 48 teams, 104 matches and a festival of football stretching over 37 days. Every kick-off is locked into the calendar, giving fans a clear path from the opening whistle in Mexico City to the final in New Jersey.

The tournament begins on June 11, when hosts Mexico face South Africa in the curtain-raiser at the iconic Estadio Azteca. That match launches a new-look group phase featuring 12 groups of four teams. Each side plays three group games, with the top two in every group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the expanded last 32.

From the opening day, the schedule is relentless. Group fixtures are spread across multiple time zones, with early afternoon kick-offs in North America translating into evening viewing in the UK. Triple-headers will be common, allowing supporters to follow a rolling programme of matches from lunchtime through to late night.

Canada’s venues, including Toronto and Vancouver, host a cluster of early group games, while US cities such as Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta and Seattle provide some of the tournament’s largest stages. Mexico’s trio of host cities, led by Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, ensure a strong Latin American flavour to the daily schedule.

The group phase dominates the first two and a half weeks, before the knockout rounds begin with the round of 32. From that point, the calendar tightens: two or four matches per day, each with its own global spotlight. The round of 16 and quarter-finals follow in quick succession, with rest days carefully placed to allow teams to recover and fans to catch breath.

The semi-finals are split between two major US venues, setting up a cross-continent build-up to the showpiece. The final is scheduled for Sunday July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, just outside New York City, bringing the tournament to a close in one of the largest arenas ever to host a World Cup decider.

Across every day of the competition, the fixture list is designed to keep all three host nations in prime slots while balancing travel demands for teams. For supporters planning their viewing, the day-by-day schedule offers a clear roadmap through a World Cup unlike any before it.