Calendar, schedules, television: practical information about the Football World Cup

BarcelonaThe most important and anticipated sporting event of the year is almost here. On Thursday, June 11th, the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico begins, the first to be contested by 48 national teams (instead of the current 32). Three countries and sixteen cities will host the 104 matches, culminating on Sunday, July 19th (9:00 PM) with the grand final to be played at the MetLife Stadium located in New Jersey (near New York City). This event will mark a generational shift in the world of football, as it will be the last World Cup for Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, among others, and the emergence of new global stars like Lamine Yamal, who will play in his first World Cup.

When does the 2026 World Cup start?

The tournament will begin with 48 teams starting next June 11. The opening day will host a single match, the game that will be played by one of the three host nations, Mexico, and South Africa, from Group A, at 9:00 PM in Mexico City. The first major team to debut will be Brazil —from group C—, which will play on Sunday, June 14 (12:00 AM) against Morocco. The time difference between America and Catalonia will make it difficult to follow the entire competition without missing a single detail. There will be matches from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

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When does the Spain of the eight blaugranes play?

The Spanish team —which will have up to eight Barcelona players and no Real Madrid players— will compete for first place in group H. On the first day of the championship, Spain will play its opening match against Cape Verde on Monday, June 15, at 6:00 PM. Luis de la Fuente's squad will face Saudi Arabia in their second encounter on Sunday, June 21, at 6:00 PM, and will close the group stage against Ronald Araujo's Uruguay on Saturday, June 27, at 2:00 AM. The first two matches will be in Atlanta (United States), while the last duel will be played in Guadalajara (Mexico).

Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo are the eight Barça players who will play in the World Cup with the Spanish national team, who arrive as the reigning European champions.

When do the favorite World Cup teams play?

One of the main favorites for the title is France. Didier Deschamps' squad —in Group I— will debut on Tuesday, June 16, in New Jersey against Senegal (9:00 PM). Subsequently, they will play on Monday, June 22, in Philadelphia against Iraq (11:00 PM) and will conclude the group stage on Friday, June 26, in Boston against Norway (9:00 PM).

Another of the teams that is always among the favorites is Germany —from Group E—, which will debut on Sunday, June 14, in Houston against Curaçao (7:00 PM). On Saturday, June 20 (10:00 PM), they will play against Ivory Coast in Toronto, while they will close the first phase of the competition on Thursday, June 25 (10:00 PM) against Ecuador in New Jersey. Everything is indicated in Catalan hours.

What path will Leo Messi's Argentina take in his last World Cup?

After winning the World Cup in 2022 and lifting the last major title missing in the world of football, Leo Messi will play his last major tournament at 38 years old — he will turn 39 on June 24th. The Argentine star will debut — in group J — on Wednesday, June 17th (3:00 AM) against Algeria in Kansas. On Monday, June 22nd (7:00 PM), he will play in Dallas against Austria and will finish on Sunday, June 28th (4:00 AM) against Jordan.

Another of the footballers who will experience his last World Cup will be Cristiano Ronaldo, who will debut with Portugal —in group K— on Wednesday, June 17 in Houston against the Democratic Republic of Congo (7:00 PM). On Tuesday, June 23 in Houston, he will play the second match of the group stage against Uzbekistan, while the third duel will be on Sunday, June 28 at 1:30 AM against Colombia in Miami.

Both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will play in their sixth World Cup.

When are the qualifiers for the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico being played?

In this edition, the first two selections from each group and the eight best third-placed teams —out of twelve groups— will qualify for the final phase. The round of 32 will begin on Sunday, June 28, with the clash between the second-placed teams in groups A and B. Spain —if they finish first or second— will face the first or second-placed team —respectively— from group J; Argentina, Algeria, Austria, or Jordan. If Luis de la Fuente's team finishes first, they will play on Thursday, July 2, at 9:00 PM in Los Angeles, while if they finish second in the group, they will play in the round of 32 on Saturday, July 4, at 12:00 AM in Miami.

The round of 16 will begin on Saturday, July 4 (7:00 PM), the quarterfinals on Thursday, July 9 (10:00 PM), and the semifinals will be on Tuesday, July 14 (9:00 PM) and Wednesday, July 15 (9:00 PM). Finally, the third and fourth place match will be played on Saturday, July 18 (11:00 PM) in Miami, while the grand final in New Jersey will be on Sunday, July 19 at 9:00 PM.

On which television channel can the World Cup matches be watched?

Spanish Television, through La1, will offer one match per day free of charge during the group stage, starting with the inaugural match on Thursday, June 11. It will also broadcast all of Spain's matches, some of the round of 16 and quarter-finals, both semi-finals, and the final. Additionally, as a new feature, in Catalonia these matches can be followed in Catalan through La2. For those who don't want to miss anything, Movistar and DAZN will offer all 104 matches.