A Guide to All the World Cup Dates You Need to Know

The FIFA World Cup is coming to the New York/New Jersey region this summer, bringing eight matches to MetLife Stadium (officially New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament), including the World Cup final. Whether you’re planning to attend a match, watch from a local bar, or simply want to know when traffic and transit may be busier than usual, we’ve rounded up a full guide to all the moments that matter. Read on for a full guide to the tournament, MetLife Stadium match days, USA games, and more. 

About the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is the world’s largest international soccer tournament held every four years and organized by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association. The 2026 edition will be the biggest in tournament history due to its expansion from 32 to 48 teams, competing in 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will last 39 days, starting June 11th, culminating with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19th. 

The tournament is expected to bring over one million visitors to New Jersey as fans make their way to experience sports history right in the Garden State. 

If none of this makes sense to you, check out our World Cup Guide for Normies here.

World Cup Dates

June 11th: World Cup begins

The tournament officially kicks off with:

• Mexico vs South Africa – Group A | Mexico City Stadium 
• Korea Republic vs Czechia – Group A | Estadio Guadalajara 

While matches won’t be in the NY/NJ area yet, expect excitement to ramp up across local sports bars and watch party venues. 

Read More: Where to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Hoboken + Jersey City 

June 12th: USA’s first match

• USA vs Paraguay – Group D | Los Angeles Stadium 
• Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina – Group B | Toronto Stadium 

Team USA plays its first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay, making this one of the biggest watch-party days of the tournament for American soccer fans. 

We’ve created roundups for New Jerseyans on exactly WHERE to watch depending on where you reside or are willing to make the trip to:

• Jersey Shore
• Essex County + Beyond
• Hoboken + Jersey City

Notable Dates

• June 11th – July 27th | Group Stage
• June 27, 2026 | Group Stage Ends
• June 28- July 3, 2026 | Round of 32
• July 4-7, 2026 — Round of 16
• July 9-11, 2026 — Quarterfinals
• July 14-15, 2026 — Semifinals
• July 18, 2026 — Third-place match
• July 19, 2026 — World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium

See the full FIFA match schedule here.

Note: On June 12th-July 3rd, GOYA Foods Company is bringing its Flag Cities 2026 series to seven New Jersey destinations: Newark, Jersey City, Bergen County, Secaucus, East Rutherford, Bayonne, and Paterson. There will be a screening of matches leading up to each match at MetLife Stadium. See the full lineup + more about each event here.

MetLife Stadium Match Dates (NY/NJ Stadium)

Saturday, June 13th at 6PM EDT

• Brazil vs. Morocco 

This is the first World Cup match hosted in the NY/NJ region. Expect heavy traffic around the Meadowlands, increased hotel demand, and packed sports bars throughout Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and Manhattan.

Also notable: NBA Finals Game 5, if necessary + Brazil vs. Morocco at MetLife. Check here for updates.

June 16th at 3PM EDT

• France vs. Senegal
• Potential NBA Finals Game 6 (if necessary) 

June 22nd at 8PM EDT

• Norway vs. Senegal 

June 25th at 8PM EDT

• Ecuador vs. Germany

June 27th at 5PM EDT

• Panama vs. England 

Note: This is also the final day of the World Cup group stage

June 30th at 5PM EDT

• Round of 32 match

July 5th at 4PM EDT

• Round of 16 match

July 19th at 3PM EDT

• World Cup Final

Note: The final will be held at MetLife Stadium on this date. 

Expect:

• Packed trains and buses
• Hotel demand throughout North Jersey + NYC
• Crowds throughout Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, and Manhattan

Note: NJ Transit serves as a primary transit service provider for game days, in partnership with the FIFA World Cup Host Committee.  On days when matches are held at MetLife Stadium, access to trains at Penn Station New York and Secaucus Junction will be limited to ticket holders for four hours before each of the eight matches at MetLife Stadium. More details here.

See More: WTF is Happening with NJ Transit for World Cup?

USA MATCH DATES

Expect the dates below to be some of the busiest for local bars + watch parties as fans gather to cheer on Team USA. 

June 12th at 9PM EDT

• USA vs. Paraguay 

June 19th at 12PM EDT

• USA vs. Australia
• NBA Finals Game 7, if necessary

Note: This is one of the biggest watch-party nights of the tournament for local bars, especially if the NBA Finals also reaches Game 7.

June 25th at 10PM EDT

• USA vs. Turkey

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