World Cup 2026 Schedule: Complete Match Calendar & AI Insights
The 2026 World Cup kicks off June 11 in Mexico and concludes July 18 with the final. 38 days, 48 teams, 72 matches. Here's the complete schedule with Sezi's AI insights for each phase.
Tournament Structure
| Phase | Dates | Matches |
| ------------- | ---------------- | ---------- |
| Group Stage | June 11-27 | 48 matches |
| Round of 32 | June 28 - July 1 | 16 matches |
| Round of 16 | July 2-5 | 8 matches |
| Quarterfinals | July 8-9 | 4 matches |
| Semifinals | July 11-12 | 2 matches |
| Third Place | July 17 | 1 match |
| Final | July 18 | 1 match |
Opening Week (June 11-17)
The tournament opens with maximum intensity: all 48 teams play their first group match within 7 days. 4 matches per day on average.
AI Insight: Opening matches historically favor the stronger team, but the 3-team group format adds pressure. Sezi's model predicts at least one major upset in the first week.Group Finales (June 24-27)
The second and final group matches. For many teams, this is win-or-go-home. The 3-team format means every group finale has knockout stakes.
AI Insight: This is where squad depth matters most. Teams that can rotate effectively have a 2.3x higher chance of advancing, according to Sezi's analysis.Knockout Stage (June 28 - July 18)
From the Round of 32 to the final: 32 matches in 21 days. The tournament's intensity peaks.
Key Dates
- Round of 32: June 28 - July 1 (16 matches, 4 per day)
- Quarterfinals: July 8-9 (4 matches)
- Semifinals: July 11-12
- World Cup Final: July 18, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
How to Follow
Visit sezi.io/world-cup for:
- Live match calendar with local timezone
- Pre-match AI predictions for every fixture
- Post-match data stories and xG analysis
- Tournament bracket with live advancement probabilities
_Sezi — Understand the game with numbers. sezi.io/world-cup_
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