2026 FIFA World Cup Highlights: Portugal Draws, England Triumphs in Early Matches

2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off Across North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, spreading excitement across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This edition marks the largest tournament to date, with 48 teams competing in 12 groups for the coveted trophy.

The matches will take place in 16 cities: eleven in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada, over more than a month of intense action.

Match Results from Opening Days

• June 11: Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0; South Korea edged Czechia 2-1.
• June 12: Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina ended 1-1; USA crushed Paraguay 4-1.
• June 13: Qatar and Switzerland drew 1-1; Brazil and Morocco finished 1-1; Scotland and Haiti tied 1-1.
• June 14: Australia beat Türkiye 2-0; Germany overwhelmed Curaçao 7-1; Ivory Coast claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Ecuador; Netherlands and Japan played to a 2-2 draw; Sweden routed Tunisia 5-1.
• June 15: Spain and Cape Verde drew 0-0; Belgium and Egypt ended 1-1; Saudi Arabia and Uruguay drew 1-1; Iran and New Zealand tied 2-2.
• June 16: France won against Senegal 3-1; Norway dominated Iraq 4-1; Argentina triumphed over Algeria 3-0; Austria secured a 3-1 victory over Jordan.
• June 17: Portugal and DR Congo shared points in a 1-1 draw; England scored four to Croatia's two; Ghana narrowly beat Panama 1-0.

Upcoming Matches (Times Eastern)

• June 18: Czechia vs South Africa at noon in Atlanta; Switzerland faces Bosnia & Herzegovina at 3 p.m. in Inglewood; Canada plays Qatar at 6 p.m. in Vancouver; Mexico meets South Korea at 9 p.m. in Zapopan.
• June 19: USA takes on Australia at 3 p.m. in Seattle; Scotland plays Morocco at 6 p.m. in Foxborough; Brazil faces Haiti at 8:30 p.m. in Philadelphia.
• June 20-21: Matches include Türkiye vs Paraguay, Netherlands vs Sweden, Germany vs Ivory Coast, Ecuador vs Curaçao, Tunisia vs Japan, Spain vs Saudi Arabia, Belgium vs Iran, Uruguay vs Cape Verde, and New Zealand vs Egypt across venues in California, Texas, Toronto, Kansas City, Monterrey, Atlanta, Miami Gardens, and Vancouver.

Knockout Stage Begins Late June

The round of 32 kicks off June 28 in Inglewood with the runners-up from Groups A and B facing off. The following days feature several knockout matches across multiple stadiums including Houston, Foxborough, Monterrey, Arlington, East Rutherford, Atlanta, Seattle, Santa Clara, Toronto, Vancouver, Miami Gardens, and Kansas City.

The quarterfinals are set for early July, with games scheduled in Foxborough, Inglewood, Miami Gardens, and Kansas City. Semifinals will occur mid-July at Arlington and Atlanta, followed by the third-place match and final in Miami Gardens and East Rutherford respectively.