World Cup 2026 Schedule – All 104 Matches, Dates and UK Times

The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a historic first: three host nations, 48 teams, and 104 matches across North America. For fans planning their viewing, understanding the full schedule — from the opening match on June 11 to the final on July 19 — is essential.

This guide breaks down the tournament dates, match fixtures, venues, and UK kick-off times. It also covers where to download the schedule in Excel or PDF format, and what remains unconfirmed ahead of the official draw.

All information is drawn from official FIFA sources, along with verified reporting from broadcasters such as Sky Sports and the BBC.

When does the World Cup 2026 start and finish? — Key Dates

• The tournament runs for 39 days, from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
• It is the first World Cup to be hosted by three nations.
• The expanded format includes 48 teams and 104 matches.
• UK kick-off times will be predominantly late evening/night BST due to US time zones.
• The official FIFA schedule is the most reliable source; other sites offer better time-zone specific views.

What is the full match schedule and venue list for World Cup 2026?

Group stage structure

The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27, 2026, featuring 72 matches across 12 groups of four teams. Each team plays three group matches. The top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the new Round of 32.

Host cities and stadiums

Matches are spread across 16 host cities in three countries. The United States provides 11 venues, including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which will stage the final. Canada offers three venues: BC Place in Vancouver, BMO Field in Toronto, and Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Mexico contributes three iconic stadiums: Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Estadio Banorte in Monterrey. The opening match is set for Estadio Azteca.

Knockout stage

After the group phase, the tournament moves into single-elimination rounds: Round of 32 (June 29 – July 3), Round of 16 (July 4–7), quarter-finals (July 9–12), semi-finals (July 14–15), the third-place play-off (July 18), and the final on July 19.

What are the UK kick-off times for all World Cup 2026 matches?

Group-stage fixtures for England, Scotland, Brazil, and the USA

UK viewers will face late-evening kick-offs for most matches, due to the time difference between the UK and North America. Below are selected high-profile fixtures with confirmed UK times, as reported by Sky Sports.

England (Group L): England face Croatia on June 17 at AT&T Stadium (21:00 UK time), Ghana on June 23 at Gillette Stadium (21:00 UK time), and Panama on June 27 at MetLife Stadium (22:00 UK time).

Scotland (Group C): Scotland meet Haiti on June 13 at Gillette Stadium (22:00 UK time), Morocco on June 19 at the same venue (22:00 UK time), and Brazil on June 25 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (22:00 UK time).

Brazil (Group C): Brazil play Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium (21:00 UK time) and Haiti on June 19 at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (23:00 UK time).

USA (Group D): The USA open their campaign against Australia on June 11 in Seattle, with a 20:00 UK kick-off. Other group matches fall between June 11 and June 27 at venues across the US.

Knockout-stage windows

For the knockout rounds, UK broadcasters typically schedule matches in two windows: early evening (around 19:00–20:00 BST) and late evening (around 22:00–23:00 BST). The final on July 19 is expected to kick off at approximately 21:00 UK time.

Where can I download the World Cup 2026 schedule (Excel or PDF)?

Several sources provide downloadable versions of the match schedule. The official FIFA website offers an iCal file for calendar integration. Third-party sports sites and fan guides often provide Excel or PDF versions, though these are unofficial and may not reflect last-minute changes.

If you need an offline copy, sites such as Roadtrips and other fan-experience platforms sometimes offer PDF versions, but their accuracy depends on the source. Always cross-check against FIFA’s official listings.

What is the day-by-day breakdown of all 104 matches?

Below is the official tournament timeline, as confirmed by FIFA.

1. June 11, 2026 — Opening match (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City). Tournament begins.
2. June 11 – June 27, 2026 — Group stage (72 matches). 12 groups of 4 teams.
3. June 29 – July 3, 2026 — Round of 32. Knockout stage begins. Top 2 from each group plus 8 best third-placed teams.
4. July 4 – July 7, 2026 — Round of 16. Single elimination.
5. July 9 – July 12, 2026 — Quarter-finals. 8 teams remain.
6. July 14 – July 15, 2026 — Semi-finals. Final four.
7. July 18, 2026 — Third-place play-off. Losers of semi-finals.
8. July 19, 2026 — Final. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

What are the confirmed facts and what remains uncertain?

How does the 2026 World Cup schedule compare to previous tournaments?

The 2026 World Cup schedule represents a historic shift in tournament logistics. Spanning three time zones across North America, the schedule will challenge fans and players alike with significant travel. The expansion to 48 teams means a longer group stage and a new Round of 32, adding 24 more matches than the 2022 tournament.

For UK viewers, the time difference (EST is 5 hours behind BST) means most matches will kick off between late afternoon UK time (for West Coast early games) and early morning (for late East Coast games). The final on July 19 is expected to kick off around 8 PM BST (3 PM ET).

This is the first World Cup hosted by three nations, and the first to feature 48 teams. The additional round — the Round of 32 — is a new addition to the knockout phase, designed to accommodate the larger field.

Where can I find the most reliable World Cup 2026 schedule information?

The most authoritative source is the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule, which provides the definitive list of dates, venues, and match pairings.

For UK-specific kick-off times, Sky Sports offers a detailed day-by-day breakdown. The BBC Sport fixture list is another trusted, real-time resource.

For qualification context, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Table provides the latest standings.

“The official FIFA schedule is the most reliable source; other sites offer better time-zone specific views.”

— Content plan analysis

“Best source for UK-specific kick-off times and detailed day-by-day breakdown.”

— Sky Sports World Cup 2026 Fixtures

What is the essential World Cup 2026 information to remember?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across 16 venues in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium on July 19. For UK viewers, most matches will have late-evening kick-off times. The official FIFA website remains the definitive source for the schedule, while Sky Sports and the BBC offer the most useful UK-specific time conversions. For a full breakdown of all stadiums, see our Host Cities and Major Venues article and the Tournament Dates and Key Stages guide.

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