Everything You Need to Know: FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage | OneFootball

The sport’s biggest tournament is upon us, and the U.S. Men’s National Team will soon begin its journey at FIFA World Cup 2026 on home soil.

As 17th-ranked USA begins play on Friday, here’s everything you need to know about the group stage of the tournament:

What’s different about this year’s tournament?

For the first time in tournament history, the field consists of 48 teams, up from 32 previously, and the expanded field means 12 groups. Group A, which comprises Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia are the first teams to play, kicking off the tournament’s opening matches on Thursday, June 11 in Mexico.

The expanded field also means an additional round in the knockout stage. After group play, the top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-place teams will go through to the Round of 32. Then, the tournament becomes single elimination.

That means the championship team will play eight matches, instead of seven as in previous editions.

Additionally, this year’s tournament is the first time that three countries have hosted the tournament. The United States, Canada and Mexico serve as the three co-hosts for FIFA World Cup 2026. Across the three countries are 16 host cities: 11 in the U.S., three in Mexico and two in Canada.

All of the 16 cities will host group stage matches:

When and where does the U.S. play in the group stage?

On Dec. 5, 2025, the U.S. was drawn into Group D at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw held in Washington, D.C.

Each group in the tournament consists of four teams, and the three other nations in Group D with the United States are Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. The U.S. has three fixtures, one against each team in the group, over the span of three weeks:

What do we know about the three USMNT opponents?

The three opponents for the U.S. in Group D are all teams the U.S. faced last year in its FIFA World Cup preparations. Here are the overall records and rankings for each of the three opponents the U.S. will see in the group stage:

Paraguay

Australia

Türkiye

How do teams advance to the knockout rounds?

The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance to the Round of 32. Finishing either first or second in Group D will secure a spot in the knockout round for the U.S. in FIFA World Cup 2026.

Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss for each match in group play.

A third-place finish in the group still means potential to advance. With the expanded field, the eight best third-place teams will move on to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Per FIFA, here is how the eight best third-place teams will be determined:

Are there penalty kick shootouts in the group stage?

Matches in the group stage will end after 90 minutes of regulation time. No extra time or penalty shootouts will occur. In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, both teams will receive one point in the group standings.

What’s the best way to watch and participate in the tournament?

U.S. Soccer Insiders can participate in the tournament with their local chapters, which bring fans together to create community and enjoy watch parties at neighborhood pubs.

Those in Los Angeles can take advantage of U.S. Soccer House presented by Bank of America. As the home for fans this summer, U.S. Soccer House located in Venice Beach will host watch parties, meet-and-greets, pre-match concerts, live podcast tapings, retail for sale and much, much more.

And those following the tournament at home can get the latest news and information on USSoccer.com, the official U.S. Soccer app, and official social media channels.