Honestly, the energy around the 2026 World Cup feels different this time. Maybe it's because we aren't just watching from afar—we're literally the hosts. But if you’re trying to pin down the us soccer world cup schedule, you've probably noticed it’s a bit of a logistical puzzle. This isn’t the 32-team tournament we grew up with. It's a massive, 48-team beast spanning three countries, and the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) has a path that is very much "West Coast vibes" to start.
Everyone’s asking the same thing: "When and where?"
Well, the dates are locked. The opponents are (mostly) set. And the travel? It’s going to be a lot.
The Group Stage: Staying Out West
The USMNT is anchored in Group D. If you’re a fan on the East Coast, you might want to stock up on coffee because these kickoff times are leaning late for the Atlantic time zone.
June 12, 2026 is the big one. Mark it. The U.S. opens its campaign at SoFi Stadium (officially called Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament) against Paraguay.
It’s a massive stage.
Exactly one week later, on June 19, the squad flies north to Lumen Field in Seattle to take on Australia. If you’ve ever seen a Sounders game, you know that stadium is basically a cauldron of noise. It’s going to be deafening.
Then, it’s back to LA.
The final group match happens June 25 back at SoFi Stadium. The opponent? That’s still a bit of a mystery. It’ll be the winner of UEFA Playoff C, which won't be decided until March 2026. We’re looking at potentially Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, or Romania.
A quick note on the 48-team chaos: Because there are now 12 groups of four, the top two from each group go through, but so do the eight best third-place teams. Basically, you can lose a game and still have a very real shot at the knockouts.
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US Soccer World Cup Schedule: The Knockout Map
This is where things get "kinda" complicated. Your travel plans depend entirely on where the USMNT finishes in Group D.
If they win the group? They stay out west. They’d play their Round of 32 match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara (San Francisco Bay Area) on July 1.
If they finish second? Pack your bags for Texas. They’d head to AT&T Stadium in Arlington on July 3.
There's even a world where they finish as a top third-place team. In that scenario, they could end up almost anywhere—Foxborough, Kansas City, or even East Rutherford. It’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s the beauty of the expanded bracket.
Important Dates You Need to Know:
- Round of 32: June 28 – July 3, 2026
- Round of 16: July 4 – July 7, 2026
- Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11, 2026
- Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15, 2026
- The Final: July 19, 2026
The semi-finals are split between Dallas (AT&T Stadium) and Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium). And for the grand finale? The trophy will be raised at MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium) in East Rutherford on July 19.
Why the Schedule Matters for Fans Right Now
You might think June 2026 is ages away. It’s not.
FIFA already opened a ticket sales phase in December 2025. If you missed that window, don't panic, but you need to be ready for the next one. Hospitality packages—the ones that include tickets but cost a pretty penny—are already live on FIFA's official portal.
The venues are also going through major changes. Some stadiums are literally ripping out turf to install natural grass because FIFA is incredibly strict about playing surfaces. Others, like SoFi, had to make structural tweaks to fit the wider dimensions of a soccer pitch.
Getting Your Logistics in Order
Look, following the us soccer world cup schedule isn't just about knowing the dates. It's about the "how."
Flights between Seattle and Los Angeles are going to be a nightmare that week in June. If you’re planning to follow the team for all three group games, look into the "Cascadia" travel routes early.
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Also, keep an eye on the friendlies leading up to the big show. The USMNT has a "Send-Off Match" against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6, 2026. It's the final dress rehearsal before the Paraguay opener.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Register on FIFA.com: Create an account now so you get the alerts for the next ticket lottery.
- Book Accommodations Early: Hotel prices in Inglewood (near SoFi) and downtown Seattle are already creeping up for those June dates.
- Wait for March 2026: That is when the final European playoff spots are filled, and we will finally know our third opponent for the June 25 match.
- Check Your Passport: If you’re planning to hop across the border for any games in Vancouver or Mexico City, make sure your documents are valid through late 2026.
The 2026 World Cup is going to be the biggest sporting event this continent has ever seen. 104 matches. 48 teams. 39 days of absolute madness. Whether we're ready or not, the world is coming to our backyard.