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Argentina are preparing to begin their campaign to become only the third nation, after Italy and Brazil, to successfully defend the World Cup title.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in June and July across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This marks the first time in history that the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries. For Canada, it will be their debut as a host nation, while the United States will host for the second time and Mexico for the third.

As the reigning champions, Argentina enter the competition with confidence and will face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in Group J. By the time they meet Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium, the tournament will already be in full swing.

The opening match of the tournament will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener, featuring co-hosts Mexico and South Africa at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The Mexico vs South Africa clash will kick off the event on Thursday, June 11 at 1:00 pm local time, which corresponds to 8:00 pm in the United Kingdom.

The knockout stage begins with the first Round of 32 match at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, June 28. The grand finale of this 104-match spectacle will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19.

The final will kick off at 3:00 pm local time, or 8:00 pm in the UK.

Mauricio Pochettino’s United States side will open their campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on Friday, June 12. On the same day, Jesse Marsch’s Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field.

England and Scotland are also set to feature in the North American event this summer. The Three Lions will play their first match against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland will begin their Group C journey with a match against Haiti at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Saturday, June 13.

Preparing for this expanded World Cup will be almost as demanding as competing in it. FourFourTwo provides several resources to help fans plan and keep track of all 104 fixtures.

Fans in the UK can access a list of over 300 recommended pubs for shared World Cup viewing experiences, along with full broadcaster details for global audiences.

Additionally, supporters can download a printable World Cup wallchart and a synchronised digital calendar compatible with Google Calendar and iCal to ensure they never miss a match.