Football fans across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, take a breath! Monday, July 13, 2026, marks a rare pause in the thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule, with no matches officially slated for today. While the pitches are quiet, the excitement is far from over. This rest day comes as a chance for teams to regroup, strategize, and recover before the tournament pushes towards its electrifying conclusion. Play will resume shortly, leading up to the grand final on July 19.
The World Cup Like Never Before: A New Era of Football
This edition of the FIFA World Cup is truly historic, featuring an expanded format with 48 teams competing across 104 matches, a significant increase from the previous 32 teams and 64 matches. This expansion brings more nations to the global stage, promising even more diverse and captivating football action. After a thrilling group stage that ran until June 27, the tournament transitioned into an expanded knockout phase, which began on June 28.
Teams were initially divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advanced to a newly introduced Round of 32. This added knockout round intensifies the competition, meaning that the eventual champions will have played eight matches, one more than in previous tournaments. This format ensures that every game carries immense weight as teams battle for supremacy.
Making the Most of Your World Cup Experience
While there are no live matches to tune into today, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey so far and anticipate the crucial upcoming fixtures. Use this downtime to catch up on highlights, delve into team statistics, or simply relax and recharge, ready for when the action resumes.
For fans in the USA, you can catch all the World Cup thrills on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX Sports app and FOX One. Spanish-language broadcasts are available on Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock. In Canada, TSN and CTV are your go-to channels for live coverage. For our neighbors in Mexico, Televisa and TV Azteca are broadcasting the games.
As the tournament moves into its critical final stages, every pass, tackle, and goal will shape history. The knockout rounds are where legends are made, and the journey to lift the coveted trophy is more challenging and exciting than ever before. Get ready to cheer on your favorite teams as the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares for its climactic conclusion!