World Cup 2026 can be performed throughout Canada, Mexico and america from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The expanded 48-team match will function 104 matches, 12 teams of 4, and a brand new spherical of 32 earlier than the knockout levels.
The information outlines UK kick-off instances, host cities, key group fixtures, and the trail to the ultimate in New York/New Jersey. It additionally highlights England’s and Scotland’s group schedules and notes that later knockout rounds are set for extra UK-friendly night kick-offs.
The World Cup 2026 fixtures at the moment are the principle factor followers wish to know. The draw has formed the teams, the host cities are set, and the match has a a lot greater really feel than any World Cup earlier than it.
This information offers you the important thing dates, venues, UK kick-off instances, group-stage construction, knockout schedule, and the path to the ultimate. It’s designed as a easy pillar web page. Which means it explains the fundamentals clearly, then factors readers in direction of extra detailed guides because the match will get nearer.
For extra soccer protection, go to our Soccer Information part. You too can comply with our World Cup hub for staff guides, previews, outcomes and response all through the match. For broader explainers, see our Sports activities Guides web page.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup can be held throughout Canada, Mexico and america. It begins on Thursday, 11 June 2026, and ends with the ultimate on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
For UK viewers, meaning a mixture of pleasant night kick-offs, late-night video games, and some very early begins.
When does World Cup 2026 begin?
World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday, 11 June 2026. The opening match is Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico Metropolis, with an 8 pm UK kick-off.
That recreation offers the match a robust historic really feel. Mexico will open the World Cup on residence soil, and the match can also be a repeat of the opening fixture from the 2010 match in South Africa.
The group stage then runs till Saturday, 27 June. After that, the match strikes into a brand new knockout format, beginning with the spherical of 32.
What number of video games are there on the World Cup 2026?
There can be 104 matches on the 2026 World Cup. That may be a main enhance from the 64-game format utilized in latest tournaments.
The reason being easy. The World Cup has expanded from 32 groups to 48 groups. These 48 groups are break up into 12 teams of 4. The highest two groups in every group undergo, together with the eight finest third-placed groups.
That creates a 32-team knockout stage. It additionally means the group stage issues proper to the top, as a result of a third-place end can nonetheless be sufficient to outlive.
For readers who need the official match centre, the total fixture listing is accessible by means of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule.
World Cup 2026 UK kick-off instances
UK followers might want to plan fastidiously. As a result of the match is being performed throughout North America, kick-off instances will differ greater than common.
Some video games can be proven at wise night instances within the UK. Others will kick off after midnight. Just a few group-stage fixtures will begin as late as 5 am UK time.
The perfect information for informal viewers is that the later knockout rounds are kinder. Each semi-finals are scheduled for 8 pm UK time. The ultimate can also be set for 8 pm UK time on Sunday, 19 July.
BBC Sport has additionally famous that the match makes use of 13 totally different UK kick-off instances, which exhibits how unfold out the schedule is throughout time zones.
You may test their breakdown of World Cup UK kick-off instances for extra particulars.
The place is the World Cup 2026 being performed?
World Cup 2026 can be hosted by 16 cities throughout three nations. Canada will host video games in Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will host matches in Mexico Metropolis, Guadalajara and Monterrey. America will host the remainder, together with matches in Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Houston and extra.
That is the primary males’s World Cup hosted by three nations. Additionally it is the primary males’s World Cup to function 48 groups.
For supporters, that provides the match an enormous scale. It additionally makes journey extra complicated. Followers following one staff might have to maneuver throughout time zones, borders and climates.
England World Cup 2026 fixtures
England have been drawn in Group L. Their group video games are towards Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
The opening match towards Croatia is the standout fixture. England and Croatia have constructed a contemporary match rivalry, with Croatia beating England within the 2018 World Cup semi-final earlier than England gained revenge at Euro 2020.
England’s group video games are all within the night for UK viewers, which is useful. Nevertheless, the ultimate group match towards Panama is a late 10 pm kick-off.
For extra England build-up, use our England Soccer protection because the match will get nearer.
Scotland World Cup 2026 fixtures
Scotland is in Group C with Brazil, Morocco and Haiti. It is without doubt one of the most fascinating teams within the match, not least as a result of Brazil are concerned.
Scotland’s schedule is much less pleasant for UK viewers. Their first match towards Haiti kicks off at 2 am. The opposite two group fixtures are at 11 pm, which continues to be late however simpler to comply with.
Scotland will want a robust begin, however the expanded format additionally offers third-placed groups a route by means of. That might make each objective necessary.
Key World Cup 2026 group-stage fixtures
The total group stage runs from 11 June to twenty-eight June. There are too many fixtures to deal with each match as a separate preview right here, however some video games will clearly stand out for UK readers.
Mexico vs South Africa opens the match. Brazil vs Morocco brings main high quality early in Group C. England vs Croatia is without doubt one of the greatest European fixtures of the primary week. Spain, Argentina, France, Portugal and Germany additionally start their campaigns throughout the opening group part.
| Date | Group | Fixture | UK Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 11 June | Group A | Mexico vs South Africa | 8pm | Mexico Metropolis, Mexico |
| Fri 12 June | Group A | South Korea vs Czech Republic | 3am | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Fri 12 June | Group B | Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 8pm | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat 13 June | Group D | USA vs Paraguay | 2am | Los Angeles, USA |
| Sat 13 June | Group B | Qatar vs Switzerland | 8pm | Santa Clara, USA |
| Sat 13 June | Group C | Brazil vs Morocco | 11pm | New Jersey, USA |
| Solar 14 June | Group C | Haiti vs Scotland | 2am | Foxborough, USA |
| Solar 14 June | Group D | Australia vs Türkiye | 5am | Vancouver, Canada |
| Solar 14 June | Group E | Germany vs Curaçao | 6pm | Houston, USA |
| Solar 14 June | Group F | Netherlands vs Japan | 9pm | Arlington, USA |
| Mon 15 June | Group E | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | 12am | Philadelphia, USA |
| Mon 15 June | Group F | Sweden vs Tunisia | 3am | Guadalupe, Mexico |
| Mon 15 June | Group H | Spain vs Cape Verde | 5pm | Atlanta, USA |
| Mon 15 June | Group G | Belgium vs Egypt | 8pm | Seattle, USA |
| Mon 15 June | Group H | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 11pm | Miami, USA |
| Tue 16 June | Group G | Iran vs New Zealand | 2am | Los Angeles, USA |
| Tue 16 June | Group I | France vs Senegal | 8pm | New Jersey, USA |
| Tue 16 June | Group I | Iraq vs Norway | 11pm | Foxborough, USA |
| Wed 17 June | Group J | Argentina vs Algeria | 2am | Kansas Metropolis, USA |
| Wed 17 June | Group J | Austria vs Jordan | 5am | Santa Clara, USA |
| Wed 17 June | Group Ok | Portugal vs DR Congo | 6pm | Houston, USA |
| Wed 17 June | Group L | England vs Croatia | 9pm | Arlington, USA |
| Thu 18 June | Group L | Ghana vs Panama | 12am | Toronto, Canada |
| Thu 18 June | Group Ok | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 3am | Mexico Metropolis, Mexico |
| Thu 18 June | Group A | Czech Republic vs South Africa | 5pm | Atlanta, USA |
| Thu 18 June | Group B | Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 8pm | Los Angeles, USA |
| Thu 18 June | Group B | Canada vs Qatar | 11pm | Vancouver, Canada |
| Fri 19 June | Group A | Mexico vs South Korea | 2am | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Fri 19 June | Group D | USA vs Australia | 8pm | Seattle, USA |
| Fri 19 June | Group C | Scotland vs Morocco | 11pm | Foxborough, USA |
| Sat 20 June | Group C | Brazil vs Haiti | 1.30am | Philadelphia, USA |
| Sat 20 June | Group D | Türkiye vs Paraguay | 4am | Santa Clara, USA |
| Sat 20 June | Group F | Netherlands vs Sweden | 6pm | Houston, USA |
| Sat 20 June | Group E | Germany vs Ivory Coast | 9pm | Toronto, Canada |
| Solar 21 June | Group E | Ecuador vs Curaçao | 1am | Kansas Metropolis, USA |
| Solar 21 June | Group F | Tunisia vs Japan | 5am | Guadalupe, Mexico |
| Solar 21 June | Group H | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 5pm | Atlanta, USA |
| Solar 21 June | Group G | Belgium vs Iran | 8pm | Los Angeles, USA |
| Solar 21 June | Group H | Uruguay vs Cape Verde | 11pm | Miami, USA |
| Mon 22 June | Group G | New Zealand vs Egypt | 2am | Vancouver, Canada |
| Mon 22 June | Group J | Argentina vs Austria | 6pm | Arlington, USA |
| Mon 22 June | Group I | France vs Iraq | 10pm | Philadelphia, USA |
| Tue 23 June | Group I | Norway vs Senegal | 1am | Toronto, Canada |
| Tue 23 June | Group J | Jordan vs Algeria | 4am | Santa Clara, USA |
| Tue 23 June | Group Ok | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 6pm | Houston, USA |
| Tue 23 June | Group L | England vs Ghana | 9pm | Foxborough, USA |
| Wed 24 June | Group L | Panama vs Croatia | 12am | Foxborough, USA |
| Wed 24 June | Group Ok | Colombia vs DR Congo | 3am | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Wed 24 June | Group B | Switzerland vs Canada | 8pm | Vancouver, Canada |
| Wed 24 June | Group B | Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar | 8pm | Seattle, USA |
| Wed 24 June | Group C | Morocco vs Haiti | 11pm | Atlanta, USA |
| Wed 24 June | Group C | Scotland vs Brazil | 11pm | Miami, USA |
| Thu 25 June | Group A | South Africa vs South Korea | 2am | Guadalupe, Mexico |
| Thu 25 June | Group A | Czech Republic vs Mexico | 2am | Mexico Metropolis, Mexico |
| Thu 25 June | Group E | Curaçao vs Ivory Coast | 9pm | Philadelphia, USA |
| Thu 25 June | Group E | Ecuador vs Germany | 9pm | New Jersey, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group F | Tunisia vs Netherlands | 12am | Kansas Metropolis, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group F | Japan vs Sweden | 12am | Arlington, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group D | Türkiye vs USA | 3am | Los Angeles, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group D | Paraguay vs Australia | 3am | Santa Clara, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group I | Norway vs France | 8pm | Foxborough, USA |
| Fri 26 June | Group I | Senegal vs Iraq | 8pm | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat 27 June | Group H | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 1am | Houston, USA |
| Sat 27 June | Group H | Uruguay vs Spain | 1am | Zapopan, Mexico |
| Sat 27 June | Group G | New Zealand vs Belgium | 4am | Vancouver, Canada |
| Sat 27 June | Group G | Egypt vs Iran | 4am | Seattle, USA |
| Sat 27 June | Group L | Panama vs England | 10pm | New Jersey, USA |
| Sat 27 June | Group L | Croatia vs Ghana | 10pm | Philadelphia, USA |
| Solar 28 June | Group Ok | Colombia vs Portugal | 12.30am | Miami, USA |
| Solar 28 June | Group Ok | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 12.30am | Atlanta, USA |
| Solar 28 June | Group J | Algeria vs Austria | 3am | Kansas Metropolis, USA |
| Solar 28 June | Group J | Jordan vs Argentina | 3am | Arlington, USA |
World Cup 2026 knockout schedule
The knockout stage begins on Sunday, 28 June. That is the place the brand new format turns into clear.
As a substitute of going straight from the group stage to the spherical of 16, the match now has a spherical of 32. That creates an additional knockout spherical and offers extra groups an opportunity to remain alive.
The spherical of 32 runs from 28 June to 4 July. The spherical of 16 follows from 4 July to 7 July. The quarter-finals are unfold from 9 July to 12 July.
The semi-finals are set for Tuesday, 14 July and Wednesday, 15 July. Each kick off at 8 pm UK time. The third-place play-off is on Saturday, 18 July in Miami. The ultimate takes place on Sunday, 19 July in New York/New Jersey.
When is the World Cup 2026 closing?
The World Cup 2026 closing can be performed on Sunday, 19 July 2026. The match will happen at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which FIFA refers to as New York/New Jersey Stadium throughout the match.
For UK followers, the ultimate has a super kick-off time. It begins at 8 pm BST, which ought to make it one of many most-watched sporting occasions of the yr.
The ultimate will finish a 39-day match throughout three nations, 16 cities and 104 matches.
World Cup 2026 fixtures: fast FAQ
What date does World Cup 2026 begin?
World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday, 11 June 2026. Mexico vs South Africa is the opening match.
What date is the World Cup 2026 closing?
The ultimate is on Sunday, 19 July 2026. Will probably be performed in New York/New Jersey and kicks off at 8 pm UK time.
What number of groups are in World Cup 2026?
There are 48 groups within the match. They’re break up into 12 teams of 4.
What number of matches are there?
There are 104 matches in complete.
What time are World Cup 2026 video games within the UK?
UK kick-off instances differ. Some matches begin at 5 pm, 6 pm, 8 pm, or 9 pm. Others begin late at evening or early within the morning, together with some at 1 am, 2am, 3am, 4 am, and 5 am.
The place is World Cup 2026 being hosted?
World Cup 2026 is being hosted by Canada, Mexico and america.
Closing ideas
The World Cup 2026 fixtures create a match not like any earlier than it. There are extra groups, extra matches, extra host cities and extra time zones.
For UK followers, the schedule is combined. England’s group video games are principally sort. Scotland’s are more durable. The later knockout rounds are simpler to comply with, with each semi-finals and the ultimate set for 8 pm UK time.
The largest change is the size. A 48-team World Cup means extra nations, extra storylines and extra probabilities for shock outcomes. It additionally means this fixture listing will turn into one of the vital necessary reference factors of the summer time.
Maintain this web page bookmarked for the total World Cup 2026 schedule, UK instances, venue notes and path to the ultimate.
