Local soccer fans will get some marquee pairings in the group stage matches to be played at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 World Cup.
One day after drawing the configurations of the 12 four-team groups, FIFA revealed the schedules Saturday, and top 10 ranked powerhouses from Brazil, France, Germany and England — plus two more in the top 20 — will be among the sides manning the pitch in East Rutherford next June.
Team USA will play all three of its group-stage matches on the West Coast — June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles, June 19 against Australia in Seattle and June 25 back in L.A. against a UEFA qualifier (TBA).
MetLife also will hold a Round of 32 match on June 30, a Round of 16 match on July 5 and the World Cup championship match on July 19.
Here is a brief breakdown of the five first-round matches slated for MetLife:
June 13, Brazil vs. Morocco, 6 p.m.
One of the most intriguing early matches will pit No. 5 and five-time champion Brazil against No. 11 Morocco, who made a surprising run to the semifinals in 2022 in Qatar, in Group C.
Brazil also will play its first-round matches in Philadelphia and Miami, against Haiti and Scotland.
June 16, Senegal vs. France, 3 p.m.
No. 19 Senegal is the only country to have two group-stage games in New Jersey, beginning with this clash against Kylian Mbappé and third-ranked France in Group H.
June 22, Norway vs. Senegal, 8 p.m.
Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich wing Sadio Mané (now with Saudi club Al-Nassr) also will lead Senegal against prolific Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and No. 29 Norway in Group I.
June 25, Germany vs. Ecuador, 4 p.m.
No. 23 Ecuador will look for the upset in Group E against No. 9 Germany, which has failed to advance past the group stage in the past two World Cups since hoisting the trophy in 2014 in Brazil.
June 27, England vs. Panama, 5 p.m.
Harry Kane and the Brits got bounced in the quarterfinals in 2022 by France, but No. 4 England hasn’t reached the semis since winning it all in 1966.
Panama is ranked No. 30 in the world and faces a tough road in Group L, which also features Croatia and Ghana.
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