Ever since the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was made in December, fans across the globe have been mapping out their personal schedules.
The group stage has already thrown up plenty of mouthwatering clashes, beginning with a landmark event at the Estadio Azteca. Mexico will take on South Africa on June 11, a repeat of the 2010 opening match that promises an electric atmosphere in Mexico City.
History will also be made at BMO Field on June 12, as Canada hosts its first-ever World Cup match against a European playoff winner.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino’s USA carry higher expectations than ever as they kick off their campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. These host-nation fixtures are expected to be the loudest tickets in town as North America embraces the global game.
Beyond the hosts, Group C features a heavyweight battle between Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco at MetLife Stadium. This clash pits the five-time winners against comfortably the best African team at the tournament, both of whom possess a legitimate chance of winning the trophy. It always feels like a landmark moment when the Seleção take to the field, and this opener will be no different.
The tournament also serves as a poignant “last dance” for several icons of the sport. Lionel Messi’s first outing for Argentina against Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium and Cristiano Ronaldo’s start for Portugal against Colombia in Miami are like gold dust for fans. Similarly, the Group G battle between Belgium and Egypt in Seattle may be the final time we see legends Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah share a World Cup pitch.
Finally, traditional rivalries and “dark horse” narratives collide in the later stages of the group phase. England faces their frequent thorn, Croatia, in a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, while Erling Haaland’s Norway will have their credentials tested against France. With Uruguay and Spain also set for a potential winner-takes-all showdown in Guadalajara, the path to the knockout rounds looks treacherous.
