The 2026 World Cup group stage matches in Seattle have been mostly determined, where the USMNT, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, Qatar, and Iran will place in front of a packed Lumen Field. There is still one country’s spot that will be determined after the UEFA World Cup Qualifying will fully conclude with the playoff phase. The winner of Path A from UEFA will take the final spot for games in Seattle, which is between Italy, Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Wales.
Notably Italy has not made the World Cup in 12 years, and will look to make a long-overdue return to the world stage. The semi-finals will take place on March 26, 2026, where Italy will play Northern Ireland and Wales will play Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Path A final will be played a few days later on March 31, and the winner will face Qatar in Seattle on Wednesday June 24, 2026 at 12pm PT.
As for the other confirmed teams, Egypt will play twice in Seattle, once against Belgium on June 15 at 12pm PT and Iran on Friday June 26 at 8pm PT. Most notably, the United States will host a World Cup game in Seattle against Australia on Friday June 19th. This will be the first time since 2016 that the USMNT have hosted a game in Seattle, which was the Copa America Centenario quarterfinal against Ecuador that ended as a 2-1 victory for the Americans.
In summary:
6/15: Belgium vs Egypt
6/19: United States vs Australia
6/24: UEFA Path A winner vs Qatar
6/26: Egypt vs Iran
Cover Photo: Niko Antoun / House of Sounders
