The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It is the largest World Cup in tournament history: 48 teams, 12 groups, 104 matches from the opening game to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This article covers the full fixture schedule with UK BST kick-off times for every group stage match, plus the knockout stage dates. All times are British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1), which applies for the full duration of the tournament.
For live standings, match predictions and H2H analysis, use our World Cup 2026 section.
Tournament Schedule at a Glance
| Phase | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 11 June - 27 June | 72 |
| Round of 32 | 28 June - 3 July | 16 |
| Round of 16 | 4 July - 7 July | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 9 July - 11 July | 4 |
| Semi-finals | 14 July - 15 July | 2 |
| Third Place Play-off | 18 July | 1 |
| Final | 19 July | 1 |
UK Kick-Off Times: What to Expect
The tournament is spread across three time zones, which creates a very mixed picture for UK viewers. Games hosted in the eastern United States and Canada kick off at 20:00 or 22:00 BST and are perfectly watchable. Games in the western United States and Mexico are a different matter.
Of the 72 group stage matches, 32 kick off between midnight and 5am BST. That is 44% of the group stage. West Coast US venues such as Inglewood (Los Angeles), Santa Clara and Seattle produce midnight to 4am kick-offs, while Mexico City and Guadalajara games typically land between midnight and 3am BST.
The practical split looks like this. Evening kick-offs (broadly watchable for UK fans) are 20:00, 22:00 and 23:00 BST, all from East Coast and some Canadian venues. The late-night fixtures are 00:00, 01:00, 02:00, 03:00 and 04:00 BST from West Coast and Mexico venues. There is a small cluster of 17:00 and 18:00 BST afternoon kick-offs.
Some of the most significant group stage fixtures fall in the unsociable window. Argentina vs Algeria kicks off at 02:00 BST. Spain vs Uruguay is 01:00 BST. Norway vs Senegal is 01:00 BST. If you want to watch those live, the alarm will need to be set.
Group Stage Fixtures
All times are BST (UTC+1). Venues shown as city and country. Click any group heading to see full standings, predictions and H2H links on our site.
Group A — Mexico · South Korea · Czech Republic · South Africa
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 11 Jun | 20:00 | Mexico | South Africa | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Fri 12 Jun | 03:00 | South Korea | Czech Republic | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Thu 18 Jun | 17:00 | Czech Republic | South Africa | Atlanta, USA |
| Thu 18 Jun | 02:00 | Mexico | South Korea | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Wed 24 Jun | 02:00 | Czech Republic | Mexico | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Wed 24 Jun | 02:00 | South Africa | South Korea | Guadalupe, Mexico |
Mexico are strong favourites to top Group A. The best UK viewing window is the opening match on Thursday 11 June at 20:00 BST. The Mexico vs South Korea fixture on 18 June and the decisive final matchday on 24 June both kick off at 02:00 BST. View Group A →
Group B — Switzerland · Canada · Qatar · Bosnia & Herzegovina
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 12 Jun | 20:00 | Canada | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat 13 Jun | 20:00 | Qatar | Switzerland | Santa Clara, USA |
| Thu 18 Jun | 20:00 | Switzerland | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Inglewood, USA |
| Thu 18 Jun | 23:00 | Canada | Qatar | Vancouver, Canada |
| Wed 24 Jun | 20:00 | Switzerland | Canada | Vancouver, Canada |
| Wed 24 Jun | 20:00 | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Qatar | Seattle, USA |
Group B is one of the most UK-friendly groups in the schedule. Every match kicks off at 20:00 or 23:00 BST, meaning all six fixtures are watchable without a late night. Switzerland and Canada are the model's strong favourites to progress. View Group B →
Group C — Morocco · Brazil · Scotland · Haiti
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 13 Jun | 02:00 | Haiti | Scotland | Foxborough, USA |
| Sat 13 Jun | 23:00 | Brazil | Morocco | East Rutherford, USA |
| Fri 19 Jun | 01:30 | Brazil | Haiti | Philadelphia, USA |
| Fri 19 Jun | 23:00 | Scotland | Morocco | Foxborough, USA |
| Wed 24 Jun | 23:00 | Scotland | Brazil | Miami Gardens, USA |
| Wed 24 Jun | 23:00 | Morocco | Haiti | Atlanta, USA |
The headline group of the tournament. Brazil vs Morocco on 13 June is one of the most anticipated group stage fixtures, kicking off at 23:00 BST, late but watchable. Scotland's fixtures are split between an early hours alarm (02:00 BST vs Haiti) and two late evening games. View Group C →
Group D — USA · Australia · Turkey · Paraguay
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 12 Jun | 02:00 | USA | Paraguay | Inglewood, USA |
| Sat 13 Jun | 05:00 | Australia | Turkey | Vancouver, Canada |
| Fri 19 Jun | 04:00 | Turkey | Paraguay | Santa Clara, USA |
| Fri 19 Jun | 20:00 | USA | Australia | Seattle, USA |
| Thu 25 Jun | 03:00 | Turkey | USA | Inglewood, USA |
| Thu 25 Jun | 03:00 | Paraguay | Australia | Santa Clara, USA |
Group D has the toughest UK viewing schedule of any group. Four of the six matches kick off between 02:00 and 05:00 BST. The one watchable fixture is USA vs Australia on 19 June at 20:00 BST. The model rates this the most competitive group in the draw, with three teams in genuine contention. View Group D →
Group E — Germany · Ecuador · Ivory Coast · Curaçao
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 14 Jun | 00:00 | Ivory Coast | Ecuador | Philadelphia, USA |
| Tue 14 Jun | 18:00 | Germany | Curaçao | Houston, USA |
| Sat 20 Jun | 21:00 | Germany | Ivory Coast | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat 20 Jun | 01:00 | Ecuador | Curaçao | Kansas City, USA |
| Thu 25 Jun | 21:00 | Curaçao | Ivory Coast | Philadelphia, USA |
| Thu 25 Jun | 21:00 | Ecuador | Germany | East Rutherford, USA |
Germany's fixtures all land in UK-friendly windows. Their opening match vs Curaçao is 18:00 BST, the Germany vs Ivory Coast game is 21:00 BST, and the decisive Group E fixture, Ecuador vs Germany, kicks off at 21:00 BST on 25 June. View Group E →
Group F — Netherlands · Japan · Tunisia · Sweden
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 14 Jun | 21:00 | Netherlands | Japan | Arlington, USA |
| Tue 14 Jun | 03:00 | Sweden | Tunisia | Guadalupe, Mexico |
| Sat 20 Jun | 18:00 | Netherlands | Sweden | Houston, USA |
| Sun 21 Jun | 05:00 | Tunisia | Japan | Guadalupe, Mexico |
| Thu 25 Jun | 00:00 | Japan | Sweden | Arlington, USA |
| Thu 25 Jun | 00:00 | Tunisia | Netherlands | Kansas City, USA |
Netherlands vs Japan on 14 June at 21:00 BST is one of the best early viewing options for UK fans. The final matchday doubles up at midnight, meaning both decisive games kick off simultaneously at 00:00 BST on 25 June. View Group F →
Group G — Belgium · Iran · Egypt · New Zealand
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 15 Jun | 02:00 | Iran | New Zealand | Inglewood, USA |
| Mon 15 Jun | 20:00 | Belgium | Egypt | Seattle, USA |
| Sun 21 Jun | 20:00 | Belgium | Iran | Inglewood, USA |
| Sun 21 Jun | 02:00 | New Zealand | Egypt | Vancouver, Canada |
| Fri 26 Jun | 04:00 | Egypt | Iran | Seattle, USA |
| Fri 26 Jun | 04:00 | New Zealand | Belgium | Vancouver, Canada |
Belgium's first two group matches both kick off at 20:00 BST, making Group G one of the better groups for UK viewers early in the tournament. The final matchday on 26 June is problematic though, with both decisive fixtures at 04:00 BST. View Group G →
Group H — Spain · Uruguay · Saudi Arabia · Cape Verde
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 15 Jun | 17:00 | Spain | Cape Verde | Atlanta, USA |
| Mon 15 Jun | 23:00 | Saudi Arabia | Uruguay | Miami Gardens, USA |
| Sun 21 Jun | 17:00 | Spain | Saudi Arabia | Atlanta, USA |
| Sun 21 Jun | 23:00 | Uruguay | Cape Verde | Miami Gardens, USA |
| Fri 26 Jun | 01:00 | Cape Verde | Saudi Arabia | Houston, USA |
| Fri 26 Jun | 01:00 | Uruguay | Spain | Zapopan, Mexico |
Spain's first two group games are 17:00 BST afternoon kick-offs, making them the most unusual viewing slot of the tournament - not late night, but mid-afternoon on a Monday and Sunday. The Group H decider, Uruguay vs Spain, kicks off at 01:00 BST. View Group H →
Group I — France · Senegal · Norway · Iraq
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 16 Jun | 20:00 | France | Senegal | East Rutherford, USA |
| Tue 16 Jun | 23:00 | Iraq | Norway | Foxborough, USA |
| Mon 22 Jun | 01:00 | Norway | Senegal | East Rutherford, USA |
| Mon 22 Jun | 22:00 | France | Iraq | Philadelphia, USA |
| Fri 26 Jun | 20:00 | Norway | France | Foxborough, USA |
| Fri 26 Jun | 20:00 | Senegal | Iraq | Toronto, Canada |
France vs Senegal on 16 June at 20:00 BST is one of the standout early fixtures of the entire tournament and a prime-time UK viewing opportunity. Norway vs Senegal on 22 June, likely to determine who joins France from the group, kicks off at 01:00 BST. The final matchday, including Norway vs France, is 20:00 BST. View Group I →
Group J — Argentina · Algeria · Austria · Jordan
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 16 Jun | 02:00 | Argentina | Algeria | Kansas City, USA |
| Tue 16 Jun | 05:00 | Austria | Jordan | Santa Clara, USA |
| Mon 22 Jun | 18:00 | Argentina | Austria | Arlington, USA |
| Mon 22 Jun | 04:00 | Jordan | Algeria | Santa Clara, USA |
| Sat 27 Jun | 03:00 | Algeria | Austria | Kansas City, USA |
| Sat 27 Jun | 03:00 | Jordan | Argentina | Arlington, USA |
Argentina's group stage schedule is largely unkind to UK viewers. Their opener vs Algeria is 02:00 BST, and the decisive final matchday fixtures are both 03:00 BST. The one watchable Argentina match is their second game vs Austria at 18:00 BST on 22 June. View Group J →
Group K — Portugal · Colombia · Uzbekistan · DR Congo
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 17 Jun | 18:00 | Portugal | DR Congo | Houston, USA |
| Wed 17 Jun | 03:00 | Uzbekistan | Colombia | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Tue 23 Jun | 18:00 | Portugal | Uzbekistan | Houston, USA |
| Tue 23 Jun | 03:00 | Colombia | DR Congo | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Sat 27 Jun | 00:30 | Colombia | Portugal | Miami Gardens, USA |
| Sat 27 Jun | 00:30 | DR Congo | Uzbekistan | Atlanta, USA |
Portugal's first two matches both kick off at 18:00 BST, making Group K one of the more accessible groups for UK afternoon viewers. Colombia vs Portugal, the likely group decider, kicks off at 00:30 BST. View Group K →
Group L — England · Croatia · Panama · Ghana
| Date | BST | Home | Away | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 17 Jun | 00:00 | Ghana | Panama | Toronto, Canada |
| Wed 17 Jun | 21:00 | England | Croatia | Arlington, USA |
| Tue 23 Jun | 21:00 | England | Ghana | Foxborough, USA |
| Tue 23 Jun | 00:00 | Panama | Croatia | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat 27 Jun | 22:00 | Panama | England | East Rutherford, USA |
| Sat 27 Jun | 22:00 | Croatia | Ghana | Philadelphia, USA |
England have the best UK viewing schedule of any major nation. All three group stage matches kick off at 21:00 or 22:00 BST, meaning no alarm setting required. England vs Croatia on 17 June at 21:00 BST is the standout opening fixture, and the final matchday on 27 June at 22:00 BST is similarly accessible. View Group L →
Knockout Stage Dates and UK Times
The knockout stage begins on 28 June with the Round of 32. UK kick-off times for knockout fixtures will follow the same pattern as the group stage - East Coast US venues produce evening kick-offs, West Coast venues push into the early hours.
| Phase | Dates |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 28 June - 3 July |
| Round of 16 | 4 July - 7 July |
| Quarter-finals | 9 July - 11 July |
| Semi-finals | 14 July - 15 July |
| Third Place Play-off | 18 July |
| Final | 19 July, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
Knockout fixtures and exact UK kick-off times will be confirmed as teams qualify. Our fixtures page updates daily throughout the tournament, and H2H analysis pages will be generated for each knockout tie once both teams are confirmed.
Matches Worth Staying Up For
If you can only pick a handful of late-night fixtures to watch live, the group stage throws up several genuinely significant games outside the UK-friendly window.
-
Brazil vs Morocco (13 June, 23:00 BST) - the model's joint-hardest group on paper, two top-ten teams in the same pool. Late but not unreasonably so.
-
France vs Senegal (16 June, 20:00 BST) - actually in prime time and arguably the best group stage fixture of the tournament. France (#2) vs Senegal (#11) with both expected to be sharp.
-
England vs Croatia (17 June, 21:00 BST) - England's tournament opener against a side the model rates as clear value. Prime time, no alarm needed.
-
Norway vs Senegal (22 June, 01:00 BST) - likely the match that decides who joins France from Group I. The model disagrees significantly with the market on Norway.
-
Ecuador vs Germany (25 June, 21:00 BST) - the decisive Group E game between the model's sixth-ranked team and a South American side that has caused problems at previous tournaments.
For detailed match previews, head-to-head records and our model predictions for any of these fixtures, see the World Cup 2026 fixtures page.
All kick-off times shown in British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1). BST applies for the full duration of the 2026 World Cup. Fixture schedule correct as of publication date. Knockout stage times are subject to confirmation.
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