The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 13 to July 15, 2026. The tournament will feature 48 teams competing for the title.
In the 2nd round of the tournament, there will be 96 matches played across 24 stadiums. Each team will play two home games and two away games, with each match consisting of two halves of 45 minutes. The first half will be played on Saturdays at 10:00 am local time, while the second half will be played on Sundays at 4:00 pm local time.
The 2nd round bracket guide provides a detailed breakdown of the schedule and the teams that have advanced to this stage of the tournament. Here's how it works:
Each team has been assigned a seed number based on their performance during the qualifying rounds. Teams with higher seeds receive easier draws in the tournament. For example, teams seeded 1-16 will face teams seeded 17-32, while teams seeded 17-32 will face teams seeded 33-48.
Teams will also be divided into four groups of eight teams each. Matches between teams within the same group will be played at the same stadium, while matches between teams from different groups will be played at different stadiums.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals will consist of two-legged matches, with the winners advancing to the semifinals.
The final will take place on July 15, 2026, at a yet-to-be determined location. The winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be crowned as the champion of world football.
Overall, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent history. With 48 teams competing for the title, fans can expect thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.