Football after World Cup 2026: What fans can watch next
WAFCON, the UEFA Super Cup and Europe’s major leagues give football fans a full calendar within weeks of the World Cup final.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
The calendar for football after World Cup 2026 starts quickly, with international and club competitions scheduled within days and weeks of the final, according to Al Jazeera. The tournament featured 48 teams, 104 matches and 308 goals, leaving fans with a short wait before the next major fixtures.
Al Jazeera reported that the first major tournament after the World Cup is the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Sunday, July 26. Host nation Morocco open against Kenya, while Nigeria enter as defending champions.
What football can fans watch after World Cup 2026?
According to Al Jazeera, WAFCON is followed by the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, August 12, when Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa at Stadion Salzburg in Austria. The match brings together the 2025-26 Champions League winners and Europa League winners, with kickoff set for 9pm local time, or 19:00 GMT.
Al Jazeera said PSG are trying to keep hold of the Super Cup after winning it in 2025, while Aston Villa are seeking another European trophy under Unai Emery. The UEFA Super Cup is a one-match contest between the winners of Europe’s two leading club competitions.
When do Europe’s biggest leagues return?
Al Jazeera reported that the Premier League resumes on Friday, August 21, when defending champions Arsenal host Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium at 8pm local time, or 19:00 GMT. Other opening-weekend fixtures include Hull City against Manchester United on August 22, Manchester City against Bournemouth on August 23, Newcastle United against Liverpool later the same day and Fulham against Chelsea on August 24.
Spain’s La Liga starts earlier, with Alaves hosting Getafe on August 15 at 17:30 GMT, according to Al Jazeera. Barcelona begin their title defence at Elche on August 23 after their original match against Athletic Bilbao was moved to August 27.
Al Jazeera reported that Real Madrid’s planned opener against Real Sociedad was shifted to August 26. Jose Mourinho’s first La Liga match in his second spell as Real Madrid manager is therefore scheduled away to Espanyol on August 22.
Serie A begins on August 22, Al Jazeera said, after Italy missed the World Cup for a third straight edition. Opening fixtures listed by Al Jazeera include Inter Milan against Monza and Genoa against Napoli on August 22, followed by Frosinone against Juventus, Atalanta against Sassuolo and Torino against AC Milan on August 23. Roma host Fiorentina on August 24.
What about the Champions League and national teams?
Al Jazeera reported that the UEFA Champions League league phase begins in the second week of September and runs toward a May 2027 finish. The draw is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, in Nyon, Switzerland, with 29 of the 36 teams already qualified and seven places to be decided through qualifying.
European national teams also return through the UEFA Nations League, which Al Jazeera described as part of the qualifying route for the World Cup and Euro 2028. Portugal play Wales on Thursday, September 24, at 18:45 GMT, while England host world champions Spain on Saturday, September 26, at 18:45 GMT.
For the next World Cup cycle, Al Jazeera reported that UEFA qualification will use a two-tier league format. The top 36 UEFA nations will be in League A, with the remaining 19 in League B, and teams will play six initial qualifying matches before promotion, relegation and playoffs determine European places.
Al Jazeera said African qualifying for the 2030 World Cup is expected to begin in September 2027 and run until 2029, based on FIFA’s calendar and previous cycles. Morocco, as one of the 2030 cohosts, will qualify automatically, while other CAF nations are expected to compete for nine direct places and possibly one more through inter-confederation playoffs.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.