Full USA World Cup 2026 Schedule with Match Dates, Tickets & Knockout Path

By now, everybody knows that the 2026 FIFA World Cup is taking place this summer across Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The three countries host 104 matches in total, which is the highest number of matches ever thanks to the Cup’s expanded format.

And for the first time since 1994, the United States will get to host the world’s main soccer. The stakes are higher than ever, and high expectations are put on the US men’s national soccer team.

The USMNT is in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of UEFA Playoff Path C. All three group stage matches will take place on the West Coast – Los Angeles and Seattle.

With this guide, you can get familiar with the full US men’s national team schedule, including all three group stage matches, and the potential paths depending on how they fare in the first three games.

You can also check out our detailed guides to learn how to buy World Cup tickets, how ticket pricing works, and everything about US stadiums hosting the World Cup.

USA Group Overview

As the hosts of the World Cup, the USA, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified for the Cup. The draw took place on December 5, 2025 at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. As this World Cup has 48 teams (instead of the usual 32, the format is expanded) there are 12 groups with 4 teams each. The USA is in Group D, with Mexico and Canada in Group A and B, respectively.

The 2 top-placed teams from the Group will advance to the next round, and possibly even the third-placed team.

The fourth team in the group will be decided on March 31, 2026.

UEFA Playoff Path C Teams

The fourth team in Group D will emerge from UEFA Playoff Path C in March 2026. The winner of the match will be the team to join Australia, Paraguay, and the USA. The contenders are:

• Turkey
• Slovakia
• Kosovo
• Romania

For now, Turkey stands as the favorite, thanks to their recent UEFA Nations League performances. They also have a talented young squad with stars like Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu. However, that does not guarantee anything. The winner will be decided in March either way.

Group D Analysis

The United States enters Group D as the clear favorite to win the group.

What works in the US team’s advantage is the benefit of playing on home field, and the best FIFA ranking out of the current group teams. The team also has a young generation of players hitting their prime. But it won’t be no cakewalk.

Australia represents the most dangerous threat. The Aussie team reached the Asian Cup semifinals and have proven themselves capable of giant-killing performances at major tournaments. With a physical, direct style and a passionate traveling support base, they’ll make life difficult for the US team.

Paraguay may rank lower on paper, but South American teams have great technical skill, tactical discipline, and tournament experience that transcends rankings. Paraguay’s qualification through CONMEBOL, which is the world’s toughest qualifying confederation, means they’ve already faced Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. And so facing the USA is not that big of a challenge that others may think.

The bottom line: this is a favorable draw for USA team, one that offers them a golden opportunity to prove their worth and advance to the next round. But the path is going to be quite a challenge, so focus and hard work are required.

Complete USA Match Schedule

Here’s an overview of the three matches that the USMNT is facing in Group stage. There will be three matches in total, with every single member of the group.

Match 1: USA vs. Paraguay

The opener for USA is a match with Paraguay. It’s the 4^th match overall, as the Cup begins a day before with the match between Mexico and South Africa in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.

The last time the USA opened a World Cup on home soil, a young Alexi Lalas led the Americans against Switzerland at the Pontiac Silverdome. Now, a new generation led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna will carry the torch at LA’s stadium.

The tickets range from $620 to $2,750, and may climb even higher to the increase in demand as the World Cup approaches. Grab your ticket for this match HERE.

The 6:00 PM PT kickoff ensures prime-time television coverage across the country. Moreover, SoFi Stadium’s 70,000+ capacity guarantees an electric atmosphere.

Match 2: USA vs. Australia

The second match for the US team is against Australia. Although Australia has a worse FIFA ranking than the USA, it’s not to be underestimated.

While the opener against Paraguay carries maximum pageantry, Match 2 could prove the most consequential. Group stage mathematics mean this Australia clash will likely decide whether the USA finishes first or second in Group D.

Tickets for this event are not as high as for the first match, but still, they could mean thousands of dollars, depending on the category. Get your ticket HERE.

Expect a massive Australian supporter contingent as well; Aussie fans like to travel in support of their team, and Seattle’s large Australian expat community will show up for sure.

Match 3: USA vs. UEFA Playoff Winner (TBD)

The opponent is to be determined in March. However, as the third match in Group stage overall, there’s a lot riding on the outcome of this match. This is also the second match at SoFi Stadium, as the US team travels from Lumen Field to Los Angeles for the third meet up.

Tickets for the third match are going to be pricier because they are the third time the USA plays, and depending on the group standing, it’s the best and most affordable chance to see the US team in action before the knockout rounds. Find tickets HERE.

Ticket prices for Match 3 carry significant uncertainty because the opponent won’t be confirmed until March 2026.

If Turkey emerges from the UEFA playoffs, expect prices to surge toward the higher end of the range due to Turkey’s large diaspora community in North America and their status as a higher-profile opponent.

US Game Ticket Prices

This is the most expensive World Cup in history, with prices being up to 5 or 6 times higher than for Qatar 2022. That means that the Group Stage tickets are also the highest we’ve ever seen.

The $2,700+ minimum for Category 1 seats at the opener against Paraguay obliterates previous records posted in previous years.

For context, Category 1 tickets for USA matches at Qatar 2022 ranged from $600-$800. That’s a 4x price increase in just four years. And even though FIFA introduced the $60 tickets, those are not really a possibility for most fans, and there’s only a limited contingency  of 400-500 tickets per match.

Why Are USA Tickets So Expensive?

There are a couple of reasons.

For starters, the USA has the home nation advantage.

Host countries always command higher prices, but the USA’s 32-year gap since last hosting creates exceptional demand. An entire generation of American soccer fans has never witnessed a World Cup on home soil.

And while the 2026 World Cup features 16 host cities, the USA only plays in two: Los Angeles and Seattle. This geographic concentration creates a supply bottleneck, especially for West Coast fans who would otherwise need to travel cross-country for matches in other cities.

It’s also a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see a World Cup for many fans. FIFA has already awarded the 2030 World Cup to South America, Europe, and Africa, and 2034 to Saudi Arabia. The USA won’t host again until at least 2038 at the earliest, and it’s more likely that they would have to wait even longer than that.

Finally, there’s the dynamic pricing at its peak. FIFA and ticketing partners use sophisticated pricing algorithms that adjust based on real-time demand. As contingency decreases and the tournament approaches, prices automatically spike. FIFA knew what they were doing with dynamic pricing.

Current secondary listings for the USA opener already show tickets priced at $3,500-$7,000, which is well above FIFA’s official pricing. However, it’s often the only way to obtain tickets for many players, who are unable to get them through FIFA’s official channels.

USA Knockout Path Projections

Here’s the possible path the US team could take based on their group position at the end of the Group stage.

If USA Finishes 1st in Group D

Winning Group D unlocks the preferred knockout path for the United States.

Here’s how the path would look like if the USA team finished the group stage as the winner.

As you can see, the road is rocky. It’s impossible to predict who will be the opponent on each game, but one thing is for sure – the team cannot afford to lose any knockout round.

If USA Finishes 2nd in Group D

Finishing second in Group D creates a significantly more challenging path.

It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be interesting to see US team advancing through the stages. If they do finish as the runner-up of Group D, they might play twice in Atlanta, once in Kansas City, and ultimately in NJ, if they don’t end up fighting for third-place in Miami the day before the Final.

Key Players to Watch

The 2026 World Cup represents the culmination of American soccer’s golden generation. We get a cohort of players who’ve spent their formative years at Europe’s elite clubs, developing world-class skills while competing at the highest levels.

Here are the stars who’ll carry USA’s championship hopes.

USA World Cup History

The United States enters 2026 with modest World Cup pedigree but growing ambitions:

• Best finish: Semi-finals (1930)
• Modern era best: Quarter-finals (2002)
• 2026 goal: First semi-final appearance since 1930

The 2026 tournament represents the best opportunity in generations for the USMNT to make a deep run. Home field advantage, a talented squad hitting their prime years, and a favorable draw all align. Anything less than the quarterfinals would be viewed as disappointment; reaching the semifinals would be historic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is USA playing World Cup 2026?

The USA plays all three group stage matches on the West Coast: two at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (June 12 and June 25) and one at Lumen Field in Seattle (19).

How much are USA World Cup tickets?

USA group stage tickets range from $620 (Category 4, limited availability) to $2,735+ (Category 1) for official FIFA prices. The opener against Paraguay carries the highest prices. Resale market tickets cost $3,500-$7,000+.

Can I buy all 3 USA group stage tickets together?

Not guaranteed. FIFA’s lottery system allows you to apply for multiple matches, but each application is independent. You may win tickets to some matches but not others. You can get all three if you purchase here at TicketCenter.

What happens if USA wins their group?

Winning Group D means the USA faces the best knockout path – 3rd in Group B/E/F/I/J . The other option is to finish as a runner-up, which is quite challenging.

Will USA make the knockout rounds?

Almost certainly. As Group D favorites playing at home, the USA should comfortably advance. The more pressing question is whether they finish first or second, a decision that dramatically affects their knockout path and opponent difficulty.

What channel shows USA World Cup matches?

In the United States, FOX and Telemundo (Spanish) hold broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup. All USA matches will be broadcast on FOX’s main network with primetime coverage. Streaming available via FOX Sports app and Peacock.

Conclusion

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a spectacular opportunity for all fans of soccer to flock to see the biggest Cup in history (so far). And for the US team, it’s a great chance to prove their worth playing on home soil with a golden generation of talent.

Yes, tickets are expensive, the most expensive group stage tickets in World Cup history. And yes, the logistics are complicated. But for fans who’ve waited 32 years for this moment, the experience will be worth every dollar and every ounce of planning effort.

The USMNT has never had a better chance to reach the World Cup semifinals. Grab your tickets on time and make sure you’re there to witness it all starting June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.