If the schedule holds, Argentina open their group-stage campaign against Algeria on 17 June in Kansas City, before meetings with Austria on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June, both in Dallas.
The wider attraction is obvious:
That gives the tournament a strong emotional pull before a ball is kicked. Three era-defining forwards could all be heading into what may be their final World Cup stage.
The report says the tournament opens with Mexico against South Africa at the Azteca on 11 June. Co-hosts Canada are scheduled to begin on 13 June against Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the United States are due to start the same day against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Other early fixtures that stand out:
It is an opening phase designed to create momentum quickly, with major teams spread across marquee venues.
The expanded structure is central to the story. The report says there will be 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group joined by the eight best third-placed sides before the knockout stage begins at the last 32.
That format should keep more teams alive deeper into the group stage and increase the margin for recovery after a slow start. The next storyline to watch is simple: whether the schedule delivers one last defining World Cup run for Messi, Ronaldo or Neymar before the knockout bracket takes over.