FIFA World Cup 2026 runs for 38 days — from the opening match on June 12 to the final on July 19, 2026. Here's a full breakdown of all the key dates and phases of the tournament.
Tournament Timeline
How Many Matches Per Day?
During the group stage, up to 8 matches per day will be played simultaneously across the 16 host cities. This creates an incredible atmosphere of wall-to-wall football, with fans across the world switching between games as group stage drama unfolds.
In the knockout stages, matches reduce to 1–2 per day, allowing each game to take centre stage.
Time Zones and Kick-off Times
With venues spread across three countries and multiple time zones — from Vancouver (Pacific Time) to Miami (Eastern Time) to Mexico City (Central Time) — kick-off times will be carefully scheduled to maximise global TV audiences.
Matches in the eastern USA and Mexico will likely kick off at times suited to European viewers, while west coast matches will cater more to Asian and Oceanian audiences. Expect kick-off times ranging from 14:00 to 22:00 local time.
Rest Days Between Matches
FIFA mandates a minimum of 4 days rest between group stage matches for each team. In the knockout stages, teams typically have 3–4 days between games. This scheduling becomes critical in the later rounds when squad depth and fitness can make the difference between winning and losing.
Follow all matches in real time right here in the app — live scores updated as they happen, plus full group standings and match details.