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The FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and fans everywhere are ready to settle into their favourite seats for a summer filled with top-tier football action.

The 2026 World Cup promises to be a massive event, featuring 48 national teams competing in 104 matches from Thursday, June 11, to Sunday, July 19.

With 72 group stage matches followed by 32 knockout fixtures spread across multiple time zones and four daily time slots, following every game will require serious planning ahead of time.

The expanded tournament format means that instead of the usual three kick-off slots, there will be four per day during the group stage. The vast geography of the host nations adds another layer of complexity. Given the size of the North American continent, no single region will enjoy consistently convenient match times. Even within the United States, Canada, and Mexico, certain kick-off times may challenge viewers’ sleep schedules. In total, there will be 13 distinct kick-off times, ranging from 5:00pm to 5:00pm for those watching in British Summer Time (BST).

Matches for the 2026 World Cup will be held across 16 stadiums situated in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These venues are organised into three geographical zones — Western, Central, and Eastern — covering four different time zones across the continent.

England will begin their Group L campaign against Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, located in the Central zone. The match kicks off at 3:00pm local time on Wednesday, June 17, which corresponds to 9:00pm BST — a six-hour time difference.

England’s subsequent group matches, against Ghana at Gillette Stadium and Panama at MetLife Stadium, will take place in the Eastern zone, which is five hours behind BST. Scotland’s three group fixtures are also scheduled to be played on the east coast of the USA.

The opening match of the 2026 World Cup will feature hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 11.

Mexico City, along with other Mexican host venues, is seven hours behind BST. The curtain-raiser will kick off locally at 1:00pm, translating to 8:00pm for viewers in the UK.

The grand finale of the tournament will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with a 3:00pm local start time, equivalent to 8:00pm BST.