Here's What Events Will Take Place In Oakland Ahead Of The 2026 World Cup

OAKLAND, CA — With 30 days to go to the 2026 World Cup, Oakland has been selected as one of several Bay Area cities to take part in the flag-raising celebration, along with many other events.

The Bay Area Host Committee said Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose, Redwood City, County of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Francisco International Airport, San Jose International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay International Airport would be raising flags Tuesday to commemorate the countdown.

"More than just a countdown, the moment symbolizes the BAHC’s mission to unite the Bay Area through sport, signaling the Bay Area’s collective pride and unity as a Host Region, as we prepare for the world’s biggest sporting event," the organization said in a statement.

The flag raising is just one of many activations, celebrations anf community-driven initiatives planned in the Bay Area ahead of the World Cup.

The flag-raising celebration will be followed by a Speaker Series in Oakland called "The Art of the Global Game" on May 18. The event will be hosted in collaboration with the Bay Area's soccer teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes and Oakland Roots.

There will be a "Count Us In" activation on June 6, where more than 20,000 participants will try to set a Guinness World Record for most people performing a 10-second juggling of the soccer ball, according to the BAHC.

Officials will also unveil a new, fully renovated, community-centered turf pitch in Oakland's Fruitvale neighborhoodnon June 9.

There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project, which "will serve as a hub for year-round programming in partnership with organizations like Eat.Learn.Play, Oakland Genesis and the Oakland Athletic League," according to the BAHC.

"As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continues, the Bay Area is not just preparing to host matches — it is building a moment of unity, creativity, and lasting impact," according to the BAHC. "From neighborhoods to global stages, the region stands ready to welcome the world."

The Bay Area has been selected to host six World Cup matches at Levi's Stadium.

Here are the matchups:

• GROUP B: Qatar vs Switzerland (June 13)
• GROUP J: Austria vs Jordan (June 16)
• GROUP D: Turkey vs Paraguay (June 19)
• GROUP J: Jordan vs Algeria (June 22)
• GROUP D: Paraguay vs Australia (June 25)
• ROUND OF 32: TBD (July 1)