The 2026 World Cup schedule is now available for free download in Excel, PDF, and Google Sheets formats!
The World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match in Mexico City.
Click here to go directly to the download section.
How the 2026 World Cup schedule works
This time, the World Cup is significantly larger than ever before:
- Instead of 32 teams, there are 48!
- This means there are 12 groups of four in the group stage
- and a round of 32 (!), for which the first- and second-place finishers from each group qualify, plus the 8 best third-place finishers.
- The total number of matches increases from 64 to 104!
Due to these changes, my schedule from previous World Cups is no longer usable as a template, so I’ve designed a completely new one.
Here’s how to use it:
- Download the Excel file at the end of the article.
- Open it in Excel (or another spreadsheet program)
- The file contains 3 worksheets for the group stage, the round of 32, and the remaining knockout rounds.
- In the first worksheet, enter the results of all group matches and note the final standings in the table below.
- The first- and second-place finishers are automatically transferred to the round of 32 worksheet. However, you must enter the 8 third-place finishers manually.
- From here on, everything happens automatically. You just need to enter the match results, and the winners will be automatically transferred to the next table.
Alternative to Excel: Use the World Cup schedule with PDF
Of course, you can also simply download the file as a PDF, print it out, and enter the results by hand!
Previews of the 3 worksheets for the group stage, round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final
On the first worksheet, you will find the group stage with 12 groups of four. Here is the top section with Groups A through F. Enter the results here and record the final standings (1st through 4th place) in the final table.
The next worksheet contains the round of 32. The first- and second-place finishers from the group stage are automatically included. Please enter the top 8 third-place finishers manually!
In the final worksheet, everything is calculated automatically. Of course, you’ll need to enter the results of all the games so that Excel can carry over the winner to the next round.
Download the 2026 World Cup schedule as an Excel template or PDF
Here you can download the 2026 World Cup schedule for free. Choose between an Excel file or PDF.
If you liked the template, I’d appreciate a donation!
More information about the 2026 World Cup
The following countries are participating in the 2026 World Cup or have qualified:
Co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, USA
AFC: Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan
CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Congo DR, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama
CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
OFC: New Zealand
UEFA: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
All 16 groups of four at a glance, with all participating countries:
Group A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Czechia
Group B
- Canada
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Group C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Group D
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Türkiye
Group E
- Germany
- Curaçao
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Ecuador
Group F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Sweden
- Tunisia
Group G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Group H
- Spain
- Cabo Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Group I
- France
- Senegal
- Iraq
- Norway
Group J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Group K
- Portugal
- Congo DR
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Group L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama