When does the World Cup start? Schedule and how to watch 2026 tournament

The 2026 World Cup is now less than a month away.

In recent days, several participating national teams have announced their roster for the tournament.

France, Belgium and Japan are some of the big names who have already released their 26-player squads ahead of the June 1 deadline.

Meanwhile, the United States will announce its squad on Tuesday, May 26, at 3 p.m. ET, live in New York City.

This will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams with 104 matches. Hosted in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, it is the largest event in the competition's history.

For the first time in World Cup history, there will be 32 nations that qualify for the knockout stage. Along with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, the eight best third-place finishers will also advance.

Here is all the information you need to know for the spectacle:

When does the World Cup start?

The tournament begins on June 11, when Mexico hosts South Africa in Mexico City.

How to watch the World Cup in the USA

World Cup matches will be available in the United States in English on Fox, FS1 and streaming on Fox One, while matches will be available on Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish.

World Cup knockout round schedule

• Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
• Round of 16: July 4 to July 7
• Quarterfinals: July 9 to July 11
• Semifinals: July 14 to July 15
• Third-place match: July 18

When is the World Cup final?

The World Cup final will be held on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.