World Cup preparations conclude as final friendlies set stage for June 11 kickoff
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup commencing on Thursday, national teams are utilising the final window of international friendlies to finalise tactical approaches ahead of the inaugural matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to commence on Thursday, 11 June, with the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa taking place in the United States. The tournament, which features an expanded field of 48 participating teams, has seen the majority of squads converge on the host nations for final preparations. This marks the culmination of approximately three and a half years of anticipation for the event, which will run until the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
In the immediate lead-up to the tournament, several national teams are concluding their pre-tournament schedules with international friendlies. Matches scheduled for Monday, 8 June, include France versus Northern Ireland and Peru versus Spain. The following day, Tuesday, 9 June, will see Iraq face Venezuela, Senegal take on Saudi Arabia, and Argentina play Iceland. These fixtures provide the final opportunity for coaches to assess squad depth and tactical cohesion before the competitive phase begins.
The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), competing as a host nation under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, has completed its final preparatory friendlies against Senegal and Germany. Pochettino is now poised to name his first-ever World Cup lineup for the national team. The USMNT is scheduled to face Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye in the group stage of the tournament.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Germany in their last friendly, Pochettino addressed the performance, suggesting that the team may have expended excessive energy during the pre-match presentation. The coach noted that the players were "overexcited" during the introduction, a moment he acknowledged drains energy but ultimately serves as a valuable experience for the squad’s first World Cup game.
Broadcasting arrangements for the tournament have been confirmed through the CBS Sports Golazo Network, which will provide free 24/7 coverage via the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+. Additionally, the tournament will feature significant non-football programming, including the first half-time show in FIFA World Cup history. Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and headlined by Madonna, Shakira, and BTS, the performance at the final in New Jersey aims to support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, targeting $100 million for children’s education worldwide.
