San Francisco Bay Area stadium

FIFA World Cup 26™ in San Francisco

Published On: October 23, 2025

San Francisco Bay Area, get ready for the world’s game. In 2026, the tournament arrives at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, bringing a parade of national teams, colors, and songs to the South Bay. With its sweeping sightlines, modern amenities, and excellent broadcast infrastructure, the venue is built for football’s biggest stage, and the city-region around it knows how to throw a world‑class sporting party. 

What matches will be played in San Francisco? 

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium will host six matches from the FIFA World Cup 26™, including five group fixtures and one knockout game. 

  • Sat, 13 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 8 
  • Tue, 16 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 20 
  • Fri, 19 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 31 
  • Mon, 22 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 44 
  • Thu, 25 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 60 
  • Wed, 1 July 2026 — Round of 32, Match 81 

That means several high‑energy matchdays, a mix of afternoon and evening kickoffs, and a rotating cast of visiting supporters turning Santa Clara into a global crossroads. Exact pairings and kickoff times are assigned by FIFA and are confirmed closer to the tournament, but the Bay Area slate points to a steady drumbeat of elite international football throughout late June and early July. 

Here is a look at the global matches calendar for the FIFA World Cup 26TM.

Check a more detailed version here.

When do we know who’s playing in San Francisco for the FIFA World Cup 26™? 

The picture becomes clear after the Official Final Draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. That’s when groups are set and placeholders on the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium calendar start turning into real matchups. A small number of berths may still depend on playoff paths that conclude on the 31 march 2026, but most fans will have a solid sense of who could be playing in the South Bay soon after the draw, plenty of time to plan travel, accommodations, and matchday traditions. 

Is this the first time the World Cup comes to San Francisco?  

The Bay Area already has a FIFA World Cup pedigree. In 1994, nearby Stanford Stadium hosted several FIFA World Cup™ matches, including the unforgettable July 4 Round of 16 meeting between the United States and Brazil. FIFA World Cup 26™ marks the tournament’s return to Northern California, this time at Levi’s Stadium, adding a new chapter to a region that blends tech pace, diverse communities, and a deep love for the global game. 

 

A closer look at the San Francisco Bay Area stadium  

San Francisco Bay Area stadium is the home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers since its opening in 2014, the stadium was selected to host Super Bowl 50 in February 2016, where Coldplay headlined the half-time show with support from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. The venue seats 68,500 for NFL games and can expand to approximately 75,000 for major events.  This stadium offers a modern match experience tailored to major events: clear sightlines from all tiers, expansive concourses, and strong connectivity for fans who love to capture and share every moment. The surrounding district supports pre‑ and post‑match gatherings, while public transport links and designated rideshare zones help manage the ebb and flow of tournament crowds. 

Since 1967, the Bay Area, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, has hosted pro football and marquee tournaments like the 1984 Olympics, 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999™. More recently, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium staged the Concacaf Gold Cup, Copa América Centenario, and the International Champions Cup, plus countless friendlies featuring Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chivas, Club América, and Bayern Munich. 

 

Visit the Official San Francisco Bay Area website here: https://bayareahostcommittee.com/fifa-world-cup-26 

 

Want the latest on San Francisco Bay Area Stadium matchdays for World Cup 26™?

Keep an eye on FIFA’s official announcements as the Final Draw approaches to see which national teams will take the field in the South Bay. 

San Francisco Bay Area stadium

FIFA World Cup 26™ in San Francisco

Published On: October 23, 2025

San Francisco Bay Area, get ready for the world’s game. In 2026, the tournament arrives at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, bringing a parade of national teams, colors, and songs to the South Bay. With its sweeping sightlines, modern amenities, and excellent broadcast infrastructure, the venue is built for football’s biggest stage, and the city-region around it knows how to throw a world‑class sporting party. 

What matches will be played in San Francisco? 

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium will host six matches from the FIFA World Cup 26™, including five group fixtures and one knockout game. 

  • Sat, 13 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 8 
  • Tue, 16 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 20 
  • Fri, 19 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 31 
  • Mon, 22 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 44 
  • Thu, 25 June 2026 — Group Stage, Match 60 
  • Wed, 1 July 2026 — Round of 32, Match 81 

That means several high‑energy matchdays, a mix of afternoon and evening kickoffs, and a rotating cast of visiting supporters turning Santa Clara into a global crossroads. Exact pairings and kickoff times are assigned by FIFA and are confirmed closer to the tournament, but the Bay Area slate points to a steady drumbeat of elite international football throughout late June and early July. 

Here is a look at the global matches calendar for the FIFA World Cup 26TM.

Check a more detailed version here.

When do we know who’s playing in San Francisco for the FIFA World Cup 26™? 

The picture becomes clear after the Official Final Draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. That’s when groups are set and placeholders on the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium calendar start turning into real matchups. A small number of berths may still depend on playoff paths that conclude on the 31 march 2026, but most fans will have a solid sense of who could be playing in the South Bay soon after the draw, plenty of time to plan travel, accommodations, and matchday traditions. 

Is this the first time the World Cup comes to San Francisco?  

The Bay Area already has a FIFA World Cup pedigree. In 1994, nearby Stanford Stadium hosted several FIFA World Cup™ matches, including the unforgettable July 4 Round of 16 meeting between the United States and Brazil. FIFA World Cup 26™ marks the tournament’s return to Northern California, this time at Levi’s Stadium, adding a new chapter to a region that blends tech pace, diverse communities, and a deep love for the global game. 

 

A closer look at the San Francisco Bay Area stadium  

San Francisco Bay Area stadium is the home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers since its opening in 2014, the stadium was selected to host Super Bowl 50 in February 2016, where Coldplay headlined the half-time show with support from Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. The venue seats 68,500 for NFL games and can expand to approximately 75,000 for major events.  This stadium offers a modern match experience tailored to major events: clear sightlines from all tiers, expansive concourses, and strong connectivity for fans who love to capture and share every moment. The surrounding district supports pre‑ and post‑match gatherings, while public transport links and designated rideshare zones help manage the ebb and flow of tournament crowds. 

Since 1967, the Bay Area, San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, has hosted pro football and marquee tournaments like the 1984 Olympics, 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999™. More recently, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium staged the Concacaf Gold Cup, Copa América Centenario, and the International Champions Cup, plus countless friendlies featuring Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chivas, Club América, and Bayern Munich. 

 

Visit the Official San Francisco Bay Area website here: https://bayareahostcommittee.com/fifa-world-cup-26 

 

Want the latest on San Francisco Bay Area Stadium matchdays for World Cup 26™?

Keep an eye on FIFA’s official announcements as the Final Draw approaches to see which national teams will take the field in the South Bay.