FIFA has announced the matchups for the 2026 World Cup games, including the five group matches that will be played in Philadelphia next summer.

These are the teams that will be playing in Philadelphia's five group stage matches at Lincoln Financial Field:

• Sunday, June 14: Côte D'Ivoire vs. Ecuador, 7 p.m.
• Friday, June 19: Brazil vs. Haiti, 9 p.m.
• Monday, June 22: France vs. the winner of the Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname playoff, 5 p.m.
• Thursday, June 25: Curaçao vs. Côte D'Ivoire, 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27: Croatia vs. Ghana, 5 p.m.

Another game in the Round of 16 will be played on the 250th anniversary of the United States, July 4, 2026. The teams playing in that match will be determined by the results of the group stage.

The Round of 16 game in Philadelphia will be played at 5 p.m. on July 4, FIFA officials announced.

On Friday, FIFA held the 2026 World Cup draw for the 48 countries, the largest draw in World Cup history, that will compete in the tournament.

Host City Executive and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 CEO Meg Kane said the announcement marked the final major piece of planning for Philadelphia's World Cup preparations, nearly seven years after the city submitted its bid.

She said officials can now begin more strategic planning, adding that having several of the matches on a more traditional schedule, similar to Eagles and Phillies games, will help with that.

Kane said the city will coordinate closely with Welcome America to ensure World Cup events complement, rather than compete with, 4th of July and Major League Baseball All-Star weekends.

"And so now that we have this information, we can really start to plot that and make sure that for, both our tourists that may be coming but also for our residents, that we are maintaining the the quality of life and the ease of access that's needed for day-to-day living, but also making sure that on these specific match days, the party is in Philadelphia, and you will want to be here," she said.

SEPTA's role 

With thousands of fans expected to flood city streets, SEPTA services are expected to have an increased role in helping tourists travel smoothly throughout the tournament.

Kane said they are working closely with SEPTA and plan to be moving fans three to four hours before the matches kickoff.

"The Broad Street line is going to be absolutely essential and an absolute critical tool to what we need to do," she said. "Just like it is on every Sunday that the Eagles are home, or when we have a playoff game at Citizens Bank Park, or at Xfinity Mobile Arena."

Kane added that state leaders have been supportive as both the city and the Commonwealth prepare for the global stage.

"Everyone recognizes that this is a moment for the Commonwealth to shine on the global stage," she said. "It is a 40 day infomercial for the state of Pennsylvania and for the city of Philadelphia, and we intend to make the most of that. SEPTA is a part of that."

Welcoming international fans

Kane says this is a major opportunity for the city, especially with large numbers of fans expected to arrive from Brazil and France.

"Because these are, first off, incredibly storied powerhouse teams. The opportunity of Kylian Mbappé playing in the World Cup in Philadelphia is extraordinary," Kane said.

She added that after staying in a hotel with Brazilian fans during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, she saw their passion firsthand and says it's similar to the passion of Philly fans.

"So, since that moment, I have said that I wanted Brazil to come to Philadelphia because I really felt that their fandom would match up so incredibly well with our own passionate fandom," she said.

Haiti currently on the Trump adminstration's travel ban list, whose citizens are barred from entering the country. Kane expressed the city's commitment to welcoming Haitian fans, and said the city will focus on what it can control.

Philadelphia Director of Special Events Jazelle Jones echoed her remarks.

"The city is prepared. We are a welcoming city, we are a world heritage city, and it is our absolute pleasure to welcome anyone from any country to come celebrate with us," Jones said.

Danley Jean Jacques, who plays for the Philadelphia Union, will compete for the Haitian national team. This will be only the second time Haiti has played in the World Cup.