FIFA World Cup schedule for the week of (June 22-28, 2026): Messi’s Argentina, Mbappe’s France in focus as final battle for knockout spots begins

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal. (AP photo) The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a dramatic week as the expanded 48-team tournament enters its final group stages and the battle for a place in the Round of 32 gathers pace from Monday.After 10 days of action across the United States, Canada and Mexico, only three teams have officially qualified for the knockout stages. Co-hosts USA and Mexico, along with four-time champion Germany, already have their spots booked after the opening two matches.At the other end, Haiti, Turkiye and Tunisia became the first teams to be eliminated, leaving 42 nations to fight for the remaining 29 places in the next round.The second round of group matches will conclude on Wednesday, which should bring more clarity in several groups with heavyweight contenders. Defending champions Argentina, former world champions France, England and Portugal are among the teams still trying to secure places in the knockout stages.From Thursday, attention will shift to the final round of group matches, when FIFA will adopt the traditional simultaneous kick-off format for teams within the same group. The schedule is designed to preserve sporting integrity and prevent teams from gaining an advantage by knowing the outcome of the second game.For example, both Group A matches will start at the same time and the same format will apply to all 12 groups during the final days of the first phase.In the expanded format, the stakes are even higher. The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the round of 32, while the top eight third-placed teams will also advance, meaning that countries that miss out on the top two positions will still have a lifeline.With 29 knockout spots still up for grabs and several traditional powerhouses yet to confirm qualification, the coming week promises high drama, tight calculations and simultaneous battles across multiple venues.By the end of the week, the picture for the opening 32-team knockout stage will finally be complete, with dreams kept alive or dashed in what promises to be a thrilling group stage finish.

DateGroupTeamsVenueTime (IST)22. JuneGroup JArgentina vs AustriaDallas10:30 PM23 Group June Group France vs Iraq Philadelphia2:30 Group AMG INNorway vs SenegalNew Jersey5:30 Group AMG Group JJordan vs Algeria AMGPort Franciscosup:3 UzbekistanHouston10:30 PM24. June Group LEEngland vs GhanaBoston1:30AMGroup LPanama vs CroatiaToronto4:30AMGroup KColombia vs. CongoGuadalajara7:30 AM25. JuneGroup BSSwitzerland vs CanadaVancouvernia BQ:300 AMGGroup CScotland vs BrazilMiami3:30 AMGroup CMorocco vs HaitiAtlanta3:30AMGroup ACCzech Republic vs MexicoMexico City6:30AMGroup ASSouth Africa vs South KoreaMonterrey6:30 AM26. JuneGroup ECuracao vs Ivory Coast AEEMG3Ivory Coast vs New Ivory Coast1Philaro Jersey1:30 AMGGroup FJapan vs. SwedenDallas4:30 AMGroup FTunisia vs NetherlandsKansas City4:30 AMGroup DTurkiye vs USALos Angeles7:30 AMGroup DParaguay vs AustraliaSan Francisco7:30 AM27 JuneGroup INorway vs. Iraq ISTO00Gal vs. Boston:3 AMGGroup HCabo Verde vs Saudi ArabiaHouston5:30AMGroup HUruguay vs SpainGuadalajara5:30AMGroup GEgypt vs IranSeattle8:30AMGroup GNNew Zealand vs BelgiumVancouver8:30AM28. June Group LPanama vs England New Jerseyat2:30 AMGroup GhanaPhiladelphia2:30 AMGroup KColombia vs PortugalMiami5:00 AMGroup KCongo vs UzbekistanAtlanta5:00 PMGGroup JAlgeria vs AustriaKansas City7:30 AMGroup JJordan vs ArgentinaDallas7:30 AM