FOOTBALL: FIFA World Cup 2026 Standings Breakdown Group Stage A to L

Source: https://www.fifa.com/en/home

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Here is the phase-by-phase schedule breakdown for the 37-day tournament:

Tournament Schedule Breakdown

Tournament Phase	Dates	Details
Group Stage	June 11 – June 27	72 matches across 12 groups. The opening match (Mexico vs. South Africa) kicks off June 11 in Mexico City.
Round of 32	June 28 – July 3	The debut of the new knockout stage phase for the expanded 48-team format.
Round of 16	July 4 – July 7	8 matches to decide the quarterfinalists.
Quarterfinals	July 9 – July 11	4 matches played across host cities.
Semifinals	July 14 – July 15	The final four battle for a spot in the final.
Third-Place Match	July 18	The “Bronze Final” match.
World Cup Final	July 19	Hosted at MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Rules

Category / Abbreviation	Definition / Tie-Breaking Rule
Playoffs	Rules applied when two or more teams finish with an equal number of points.
1	Head-to-head games between the teams concerned:
1a	Points total
1b	Goal difference
1c	Goals scored
2	Overall goal difference
3	Overall number of goals scored
4	Disciplinary points
5	Higher position in FIFA World Ranking
P	Matches played
W	Wins
D	Draws
L	Losses
DIFF	Difference
GLS	Goals
Pts	Points