July 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest months of the year, bringing together some of the world's most anticipated sporting events, festivals, and cultural celebrations. The month features the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the Final on July 19, alongside the closing stages of Wimbledon, the legendary Tour de France, and the opening of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The upcoming month promises to be entertaining and fascinating in every aspect. In the following article, we will cover the top events that you should not miss. [banner][/banner]
Major Upcoming Football Fixtures in July 2026
Although there are relatively few club fixtures, there is plenty to watch among national teams. We’ll also have the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ongoing, alongside the Champions League qualifying rounds.
2026 FIFA World Cup Knockout Stage
The Round of 32 has already produced plenty of drama, but there are still several exciting ties to come. Canada managed to beat South Africa in stoppage time, while Brazil made a comeback and advanced thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s last-minute goal. Elsewhere, Paraguay surprisingly knocked out the 2014 champions, Germany, on penalties. The Netherlands were close to qualifying for the Round of 16, but Issa Diop scored a powerful header before Morocco went on to win on penalties. Here are some of the standout matches still to come:
- Spain vs Austria – July 2
- Portugal vs Croatia – July 3
- Argentina vs Cape Verde – July 4
Champions League Qualifiers
The 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds mark the start of Europe's biggest club competition, with the opening ties kicking off on 7 July 2026. A total of 83 clubs from 53 national associations compete for just seven qualifying places in the 36-team league phase. The qualifying campaign consists of the first, second, and third qualifying rounds, followed by the play-offs, with each tie played over two legs. Domestic champions from lower-ranked leagues begin in the early rounds, while clubs from stronger associations enter later through the League Path. Since the opening rounds mainly feature lower-ranked teams, we’ve therefore focused on the later qualifying rounds.
- Thun vs Dinamo Zagreb – July 21
- Sturm Graz vs Hearts – July 21
- Fenerbahce vs Gornik Zabrze – July 21
2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is Africa's premier women's international football tournament, bringing together the continent's 16 best national teams in Morocco from 25 July to 16 August 2026. This edition marks the first time the competition features 16 teams, expanding from 12 and creating a more competitive tournament. The teams are divided into four groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing to the quarter-finals before the knockout rounds determine the champion. Beyond continental glory, the stakes are even higher, as the four semi-finalists qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Two additional quarter-finalists earn places in the inter-confederation play-offs. Top matches in July include:
- Algeria vs Senegal – July 26
- Nigeria vs Malawi – July 28
- Cameroon vs Mali – July 29
Additional Sports Events to Consider
Aside from football, sports lovers can also watch other events such as the MLB, the 2026 British Grand Prix, and the upcoming bout between Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga. [banner_third][/banner_third]
MLB All-Star Game
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game takes place on 14 July at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, bringing together the biggest stars from the American League and National League. The annual showcase is the highlight of a five-day All-Star Week, which also includes the Home Run Derby, Futures Game, MLB Draft, and fan festivals across the city. The All-Star Game itself is an exhibition contest, but it remains one of baseball's most prestigious events, with players selected through fan voting, player ballots, and MLB selections. Philadelphia hosts the Midsummer Classic for the first time since 1996, making the 2026 edition especially significant.
2026 British Grand Prix
The 2026 British Grand Prix returns to the iconic Silverstone Circuit on 2–5 July, with the Formula 1 race taking place on 5 July over 52 laps. One of the oldest and most celebrated races on the F1 calendar, Silverstone is famous for its high-speed corners, passionate crowds, and unpredictable weather. The weekend also features a Sprint race, Formula 2, Formula 3, and F1 Academy events, giving fans four days of nonstop motorsport action. Thousands of spectators are expected to attend, while millions more will watch worldwide. With the championship battle gathering momentum midway through the season, the British Grand Prix is set to be one of July's standout sporting events.
Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga
Former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua returns to the ring on 25 July 2026 to face Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia. Dubbed The Comeback, the fight marks Joshua's first appearance since his previous defeat and is viewed as a crucial step in his pursuit of another world title opportunity. Prenga enters the contest as an experienced and durable heavyweight eager to pull off the biggest upset of his career. The event forms part of the Jeddah Calendar in partnership with Riyadh Season and will be broadcast globally on DAZN, attracting boxing fans from around the world. [faq][/faq]