The FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, featuring 48 teams across 104 matches co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico. At Ozoon Sportsbook, you can bet on every single fixture – from the opening game in Mexico City to the final at MetLife Stadium.
Here’s what you need to know in a nutshell:
– Tournament dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
– 104 matches across 16 venues in three host countries
– Opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa, June 11, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
– Final: July 19, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
– There are more fixtures than any previous World Cup, giving you even more ways to bet; Ozoon will have the odds for all 104 matches on the FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule, which we’ll break down for you right now, highlighting the fixtures and angles that matter most for bettors.
When Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start and End?
The tournament starts June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and ends July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That’s a total of 39 days across the three host nations. Outright winner markets for the World Cup are already live at Ozoon; the best value bets are usually available before the tournament starts – ideally before the pre-tournament friendlies. For a closer look at where the betting value lies, see our guide to the 2026 World Cup: Favourites, Contenders and Longshots.
What is the Group Stage Schedule?
The group stage runs from June 11 to 27. The 48 teams in the tournament are split into 12 groups of four, with each of the four sides playing three matches, one against each opponent in their group. The top two teams from each group (based on points) advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-place teams – 32 sides in total.
World Cup 2026 groups are where you’ll see the most betting volume on match winners during this tournament. Three fixtures worth circling early include:
– Brazil vs. Morocco (June 13)
– France vs. Senegal (June 16)
– Argentina vs. Algeria (June 16)
Brazil, France and Argentina are all highly popular teams with bettors, but it’s the three underdogs who carry the betting value into their respective groups. You can learn more by checking out our FIFA World Cup Odds: Best Value Bets article.
When Does the Knockout Stage Begin?
The knockout stage begins with the Round of 32 on June 28 – a round that is brand-new for 2026. If you’re unfamiliar with how the new format works, our FIFA World Cup 2026 format explainer covers it in full. Here are your [World Cup 2026 dates] for the knockout stage:
– Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
– Round of 16: July 4-7
– Quarter-finals: July 9-11
– Semi-finals: July 14-15
– Third-place match: July 18
– Final: July 19 at MetLife Stadium
That extra knockout round means we have an additional set of single-elimination fixtures to bet on compared to past tournaments. That translates into more options for pre-match accumulators and live betting, and more spots where you can take advantage of the betting market before the brackets firm up.
Where are the 2026 World Cup Games Being Played?
[World Cup 2026 fixtures] will be played at 16 stadiums across Canada (two venues), the United States (11) and Mexico (3):
– Canada: BMO Field (Toronto), BC Place (Vancouver)
– United States: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford), AT&T Stadium (Arlington), SoFi Stadium (Inglewood), and eight others
– Mexico: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Akron (Zapopan), Estadio BBVA (Guadalupe)
For a closer look at the stadiums and what conditions to expect at each venue, see our guide on which countries are hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Matches involving the host nation will draw heavy local betting volume – and Canada will play all three of its group stage matches on home soil in Toronto and Vancouver. These are very important matches here at Ozoon; for more on these fixtures, see [How to bet on FIFA World Cup from Canada].
Which Are the Biggest Matches to Watch – and Bet On?
The opening week of the 2026 World Cup will attract the most betting volume across the globe. We’ve also rounded up the 7 biggest storylines heading into 2026 worth tracking before the first whistle. In addition to the three group stage matches we mentioned above, you’ll want to pay very close attention to the June 11 tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa, as well as the first Canadian fixture on June 12, with Bosnia and Herzegovina providing the opposition at BMO Field. Everything you need to know for that matchup and more can be found right here: Canada World Cup 2026 Group B.
104 matches in total – up from 64 in previous tournaments – will be featured in the 2026 World Cup. Expanding to 48 teams gives us a new Round of 32 knockout stage.
Kick-off times vary by venue. Most matches in North America start between noon and 9 PM local time, making them easy to follow for Canadian bettors.
The final takes place on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 16 kilometres (10 miles) west of New York City.
Yes. At Ozoon we offer betting markets on all 104 matches, from group stage openers to the final.