Key dates to know for the Boston games in the World Cup (and the rest of the schedule)

For the first time since the United States hosted in 1994, the World Cup returns to North America.

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One hundred and four matches will be played in 38 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Gillette Stadium — or, Boston Stadium — will host seven matches between the group stage, Round of 32, and the quarterfinals. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, in our backyard.

June 11 is the opening kickoff.

Here’s a breakdown of the World Cup schedule, with a focus on the matches in Boston.

Group-stage matches will be played in 16 cities across the three countries. In addition to Boston, 10 other US cities (Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco Bay Area) will host matches. In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver are the venues. Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey are the host cities in Mexico.

The expanded 48-team field will see 32 teams advance. The bottom team from each group will be eliminated. Matches will end after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, and teams will be awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss.

Here are the group-stage matches to be played in Boston:

Sat., June 13, 9 p.m. (FS1): Haiti vs. Scotland

Scotland, ranked 45th in the FIFA rankings, holds a decisive edge on Haiti (No. 83) and boasts players such as Napoli’s Scott McTominay, Aston Villa’s John McGinn, and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson.

Tues., June 16, 6 p.m. (Fox): Iraq vs. Norway

What a prime opportunity to see one of the best players in the world, Norway’s Erling Haaland, in person.

Fri., June 19, 6 p.m. (Fox): Scotland vs. Morocco

Led by defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco was a semifinalist at the 2022 World Cup. The Atlas Lions are No. 8 in the FIFA rankings.

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Tues., June 23, 4 p.m. (Fox): England vs. Ghana

One of the favorites, the Three Lions seek their first World Cup title since 1966. From top to bottom, England’s lineup is stacked, with Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane leading the line.

Fri., June 26, 3 p.m. (Fox): Norway vs. France

Arguably the best of the group-stage matchups in Boston, Kylian Mbappé and Les Blues will battle Haaland and Norway in what amounts to must-see TV.

Sixteen teams will be eliminated after the group stage. From the Round of 32 on, it is single-elimination knockout. If the match goes to overtime, two 15-minutes periods will be played. If the match is still tied after 120 minutes plus stoppage time, a penalty shootout will determine the winner.

Boston hosts one match in the Round of 32 on Mon., June 29 at 3 p.m., which will be broadcast on Fox. It features the winner of Group E vs. a third-place finisher in Group A/B/C/D/F.

The other cities hosting Round of 32 matches are Los Angeles, Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Kansas City, Mexico City, Monterrey, Vancouver, and Toronto.

The Round of 16 matches kick off on the Fourth of July. This round features the final match each in Canada and Mexico, with the tournament’s premier clashes to be played in the United States.

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All matches will be broadcast on Fox.

Sat., July 4, 1 p.m. (Houston)

Sat., July 4, 5 p.m. (Philadelphia)

Sun., July 5, 4 p.m. (New York/New Jersey)

Sun., July 5, 8 p.m. (Mexico City)

Mon., July 6, 3 p.m. (Dallas)

Mon., July 6, 8 p.m. (Seattle)

Tues., July 7, 12 p.m. (Atlanta)

Tues., July 7, 4 p.m. (Vancouver)

All matches will be broadcast on Fox.

Quarterfinal: Thurs., July 9, 4 p.m. (Boston)

Quarterfinal: Fri., July 10, 3 p.m. (Los Angeles)

Quarterfinal: Sat., July 11, 5 p.m. (Miami)

Quarterfinal: Sat., July 11, 9 p.m. (Kansas City)

Semifinal: Tues., July 14, 3 p.m. (Dallas)

Semifinal: Wed., July 15, 3 p.m. (Atlanta)

Third-place match: Sat., July 18, 5 p.m. (Miami)

Final: Sun., July 19, 3 p.m. (New York/New Jersey)