World Cup 2026

World Cup 2026 friendlies and playoffs: Full March schedule, key dates, and teams to watch

USMNT, Mexico, Brazil, and France headline March friendlies, while Italy faces must-win playoff games to avoid another World Cup miss.

Ben Jackson/USSF

Roddy Cons

Digital sports journalist

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Mar 23rd, 2026 11:44 EDT

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Apologies to fans of Real Madrid, Barcelona, the Premier League, and more, but international soccer will take center stage over the next couple of weeks. Club competitions are on pause as national teams gear up for the 2026 World Cup, or continue their fight to qualify.

The vast majority of major nations will play two pre-World Cup friendly games during the March FIFA window, with several matches set to take place in the United States.

Brazil, France, and Colombia are among the teams playing stateside doubleheaders. Thursday’s meeting between Brazil and France in Foxborough is arguably the standout fixture.

The USMNT and Mexico will face Portugal and Belgium on different dates, although fans in North America will have to wait to see Cristiano Ronaldo, who will miss the games through injury.

Spain, England, and Germany will continue their preparations in Europe, while Argentina has scheduled home friendlies against lesser-known opposition following the late cancellation of the Finalissima.

🚨 Vini Jr: "Brazil vs France? I hope Cama and Tchouameni don't come near me so I can dribble past the other players (laughs)." pic.twitter.com/nGiT611E1c
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) March 17, 2026

March 2026 international friendlies schedule

USMNT

Saturday, March 28: USMNT vs. Belgium (Atlanta, Georgia)

Tuesday, March 31: USMNT vs. Portugal (Atlanta, Georgia)

Mexico

Saturday, March 28: Mexico vs. Portugal

Tuesday, March 31: Mexico vs. Belgium (Chicago, Illinois)

Brazil

Thursday, March 26: Brazil vs. France (Foxborough, Massachusetts)

Tuesday, March 31: Brazil vs. Croatia (Orlando, Florida)

Argentina

Friday, March 27: Argentina vs. Mauritania

Tuesday, March 31: Argentina vs. Zambia

Colombia

Thursday, March 26: Colombia vs. Croatia (Orlando, Florida)

Sunday, March 29: Colombia vs. France (Washington, D.C.)

France

Thursday, March 26: France vs. Brazil (Foxborough, Massachusetts)

Sunday, March 29: France vs. Colombia (Washington, D.C.)

Spain

Friday, March 27: Spain vs. Serbia

Tuesday, March 31: Spain vs. Egypt

England

Friday, March 27: England vs. Uruguay

Tuesday, March 31: England vs. Japan

Germany

Friday, March 27: Switzerland vs. Germany

Monday, March 30: Germany vs. Ghana

Can’t wait to welcome 🇺🇸 home to MBS! https://t.co/akFQ8Z0qoj
— Mercedes-Benz Stadium (@MBStadium) March 21, 2026

World Cup 2026 playoffs: Key dates and teams under pressure

World Cup preparation is not to be taken lightly, but even higher stakes are on the line in the form of World Cup qualification.

The March FIFA window will see the 48-team lineup completed through UEFA and intercontinental playoffs. Two key dates stand out: Thursday, March 26, and Sunday, March 31.

You can view the full list of playoff games here, but the biggest storyline, aside from Iran’s potential boycott, centers on Italy.

Italy facing another World Cup nightmare?

Incredibly, the four-time World Cup winner has not qualified for the tournament since 2014 and is in danger of missing out again.

Italy must beat Northern Ireland in a home playoff semifinal on March 26, then defeat either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away to avoid a third straight World Cup absence.