FIFA World Cup 2026 Full Schedule in IST: Check Complete Football WC Time Table

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history is just around the corner, promising over a month of thrilling football action as 48 nations battle it out across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Indian football enthusiasts, the tournament officially kicks off in the early hours of Friday, June 12, 2026, with the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. Get ready for a schedule dominated by late-night and early-morning kick-offs as the world's most anticipated sporting event unfolds. WhatsApp Unveils 'Football Central' and Trionda Emoji for FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Grand Stage: Dates, Hosts, and Format

Mark your calendars: the FIFA World Cup 2026 will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across North America. For viewers in India, this translates to June 12 to July 20, 2026, due to the time difference. This groundbreaking edition will be jointly hosted by three nations – the United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities), and Canada (2 cities) – and will feature an expanded format with a record 48 teams competing in a total of 104 matches. The tournament will culminate with the grand finale at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, which will be Monday, July 20, 12:30 AM IST.

India's World Cup Schedule: Late Nights Ahead

Indian football fans should prepare for a series of late-night and early-morning viewing sessions. The majority of matches are anticipated to kick off at approximately 12:30 AM IST, 3:30 AM IST, 6:30 AM IST, or 7:30 AM IST. The opening fixture, Mexico vs. South Africa, will commence at 12:30 AM IST on June 12, 2026, from the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final, likewise, is scheduled for a 12:30 AM IST kick-off on July 20, 2026. FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule: Check Match Dates, Stadiums & Team Details.

Group-wise Stage Fixtures (IST)

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

Group E

Group F

Group G

Group H

Group I

Group J

Group K

Group L

The Knockout Rounds: Path to Glory

The 2026 tournament alters the traditional knockout pathway by introducing a Round of 32. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, alongside the eight best third-placed finishers, will advance to this single-elimination stage, which runs from 28 June to 3 July.

The tournament will then progress through the Round of 16 (4–7 July) to the quarter-finals, scheduled between 9 July and 11 July across Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.

The semi-finals will take place on 14 July at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and 15 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Miami Stadium will host the third-place play-off on 18 July, before the tournament concludes on Sunday, 19 July 2026, with the World Cup Final at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 07, 2026 01:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).