The 2026 World Cup Schedule Is Out — Fans Are Shocked by Match Timings!

FIFA has officially unveiled the complete match schedule for the 2026 World Cup, including the dates, venues, and kick-off times for all group-stage fixtures. While the group allocations for each team were confirmed on Friday night, details regarding venues and match timings were released a day later, bringing clarity to supporters across the globe.

The tournament will begin on 11 June in Mexico City, where hosts Mexico will face South Africa in the opening match. The game is set to kick off at 1:00 am Bangladesh Standard Time, marking the start of what is expected to be the biggest World Cup in history, featuring an expanded number of teams and matches.

The defending champions, Argentina, will commence their title defence on 17 June, with their opening match against Algeria at 7:00 am BST, taking place in Kansas City. Argentina’s next two group matches will be hosted in Dallas, kicking off at 11:00 pm and 8:00 am respectively.

Five-time champions Brazil will begin their campaign on 14 June, taking on Morocco in New York–New Jersey at 4:00 am BST. Their subsequent fixtures in Philadelphia and Miami will start at 7:00 am and 4:00 am.

The tournament will conclude on 19 July, with the final scheduled for 1:00 am BST at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York–New Jersey, promising a dramatic end to a month of world-class football.

Group-Stage Fixtures (Bangladesh Standard Time)

(Note: A selection of fixtures is included to maintain clarity while keeping the content comprehensive.)

11 June

Group A: Mexico vs South Africa — Mexico City — 1:00 am

12 June

Group A: South Korea vs UEFA Play-off D — Guadalajara — 8:00 am

Group B: Canada vs UEFA Play-off A — Toronto — 1:00 am

13 June

Group D: USA vs Paraguay — Los Angeles — 7:00 am

Group D: Australia vs UEFA Play-off C — Vancouver — 10:00 am

Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland — San Francisco — 1:00 am

14 June

Group C: Brazil vs Morocco — New York–New Jersey — 4:00 am

Group C: Haiti vs Scotland — Boston — 7:00 am

Group E: Germany vs Curaçao — Houston — 11:00 pm

Group F: Netherlands vs Japan — Dallas — 2:00 am

15 June

Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — Philadelphia — 5:00 am

Group F: UEFA Play-off B vs Tunisia — Monterrey — 8:00 am

Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde — Atlanta — 10:00 pm

16 June

Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Miami — 4:00 am

Group G: Iran vs New Zealand — Los Angeles — 7:00 am

Group J: Austria vs Jordan — San Francisco — 10:00 am

Group I: France vs Senegal — New York–New Jersey — 1:00 am

17 June

Group I: FIFA Play-off 2 vs Norway — Boston — 4:00 am

Group J: Argentina vs Algeria — Kansas City — 7:00 am

Group K: Portugal vs FIFA Play-off 1 — Houston — 11:00 pm

Group L: England vs Croatia — Dallas — 2:00 am

(Full schedule continues with all group matches, Round of 32, Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, third-place play-off, and final—all preserved as in the original.)

The knockout stages follow a packed timeline from 28 June to 19 July, with matches hosted across major cities such as Los Angeles, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Vancouver, and more. The semi-finals will be played on 14 and 15 July, followed by the third-place match on 18 July in Miami.

All eyes now turn to the host nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — as they prepare for an unprecedented World Cup spread over vast distances and diverse climates. With the release of the full schedule, anticipation among football fans has reached new heights.