Overview
The 2026 World Cup group stage is the largest in tournament history. For the first time, 48 teams compete in 12 groups of four, producing 72 group-stage matches over 18 days.
Each team plays three group matches. The top two teams from each group (24 teams) plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32, for a total of 32 teams entering the knockout phase.
Group stage matches are spread across all 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The opening match takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, with the USA and Canada both playing their first matches on June 12.
Format
- 12 groups of 4 teams each (Groups A through L)
- Each team plays 3 matches (one against each group opponent)
- Top 2 from each group advance automatically (24 teams)
- 8 best third-placed teams also advance
- 32 teams total enter the knockout round
- Points: Win = 3, Draw = 1, Loss = 0
- Tiebreakers: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head, fair play, drawing of lots
Venues
16 venues host matches in this stage. Tap any city for the full tipping guide.
Estadio Azteca
Mexico City · 83,264 capacity
MetLife Stadium
New York / NJ · 82,500 capacity
AT&T Stadium
Dallas · 80,000 capacity
Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City · 76,416 capacity
NRG Stadium
Houston · 72,220 capacity
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta · 71,000 capacity
SoFi Stadium
Los Angeles · 70,240 capacity
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia · 69,176 capacity
Lumen Field
Seattle · 68,740 capacity
Levi's Stadium
San Francisco · 68,500 capacity
Gillette Stadium
Boston · 65,878 capacity
Hard Rock Stadium
Miami · 65,326 capacity
BC Place
Vancouver · 54,500 capacity
Estadio BBVA
Monterrey · 53,500 capacity
Estadio Akron
Guadalajara · 49,850 capacity
BMO Field
Toronto · 45,736 capacity
Key Facts
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