The other two hosts, Canada and the U.S., began play the following day, with the former going up against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the latter competing against Paraguay. (Here’s the full 2026 World Cup schedule for a breakdown by day.) The stakes are only going up from there as the true championship contenders, like Spain, France, England, and Argentina, make their way to the pitch.
On the off chance you haven’t heard a single thing in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, these are the basics you’ll want to learn first. This year, all 104 games will be played in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, with a total of 16 host cities scattered throughout North America. The opening ceremony will take place at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), and the final match will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium. (Yes, that is MetLife Stadium.
