2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament Homepage |
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
UC Davis alum Maximilian Arfsten and UC Santa Barbara alum Michael Boxall will participate in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada June 11-July 19.
Arfsten is a member of the hosting United States Men's National Soccer Team (USMNT). After being selected 14th overall by the team in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, the former Aggie has compiled 17 goals and 17 assists for the Columbus Crew. Arfsten played two seasons at UC Davis from 2019-21 (2020 season was canceled due to COVID) and compiled nine goals and eight assists. The Stars & Stripes defender was a Big West All-Freshman Team selection in 2019 and was named Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team in 2021. Team USA will play Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. PT, Australia on Friday, June 19 at noon PT and Türkiye on Thursday, June 25 at 7 p.m. PT in group play.
Boxall will represent New Zealand in the World Cup for the second time, having played in the 2022 iteration for the island nation. The former four-year Gaucho (2007-10) has been a defensive presence for MLS' Minnesota United since 2017. At UCSB, Boxall played in 78 games and recorded one goal as a defender and was named to the All-Big West First Team as a junior and senior. Boxall was selected first overall in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft and has enjoyed a 16-year pro career since. New Zealand will face Iran on Monday, June 15, Egypt on Sunday, June 21 at 6 p.m. PT and Belgium on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. PT in group play.
Both Arfsten and Boxall were named to the 2025 MLS All-Star Team.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams from around the globe. Group play will feature 12 groups of four with the top two from each advancing to the knockout round. Group play will be held June 11 to June 27. The 32-team single elimination tournament will begin on June 28 with the finals on July 19. The tournament will be broadcasted on Fox and Fox Sports family of networks.
will feature the MLS standouts against the LIGA MX All-Stars in the All-Star Game on July 23 in Q2 Stadium (Austin, Texas). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass via AppleTV, DirecTV, Comcast Xfinity or Amazon Prime Video.
