The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs June 11 to July 19, with kick-off times on this page in British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) since the entire tournament falls inside UK summer time. Every venue local time is computed once and converted to BST so viewers in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow see exactly when each match starts in their own clock.

Match scheduling sits well for UK audiences. Mexico City matches kick off late afternoon BST. Eastern Time host cities (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto) typically run 20:00 to 23:00 BST, prime evening viewing. Central Time hosts (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City) push starts to 21:00 BST and later. Pacific Time hosts (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver) put matches into the small hours, 02:00 to 06:00 BST, the kind of window that builds late-night pub gatherings during knockout rounds.

England compete in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. All three group fixtures land in 21:00 to 22:00 BST kick-offs, ideal slots for a Wednesday-Tuesday-Saturday domestic viewing rhythm. The squad opens against Croatia in Dallas (Wednesday, June 17), face Ghana in Boston (Tuesday, June 23), and close the group against Panama in New York/New Jersey (Saturday, June 27). The Croatia opener will draw immediate comparisons to the 2018 semi-final defeat in Moscow.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. All 104 matches converted to England local time (BST, UTC+01:00). Opening match is Mexico vs South Africa on Thu Jun 11 at 8:00 PM BST. Final is Sun Jul 19 at 8:00 PM BST.

Frequently asked questions

When does England play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

England plays three Group L matches: vs Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 in Dallas (kick-off 21:00 BST); vs Ghana on Tuesday, June 23 in Boston (kick-off 21:00 BST); and vs Panama on Saturday, June 27 at MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey (kick-off 22:00 BST). All three group fixtures fall in evening UK windows. Knockout matches depend on Group L finishing positions and run from June 28 through the Final on July 19.

What group is England in at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

England is in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32. England open against the side that knocked them out at the semi-final stage of the 2018 World Cup; Ghana return to the World Cup after missing 2018 and going out in the group stage in 2022; Panama appear in their second World Cup.

What time will World Cup 2026 matches be on UK TV?

Most matches will air between 17:00 and 04:00 BST. Mexico City and Toronto matches with afternoon local kick-offs land between 18:00 and 22:00 BST. Eastern Time evening kick-offs (the 18:00 to 21:00 ET marquee slots) air between 23:00 BST and 02:00 BST. Pacific Time afternoon matches in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, and Vancouver air from 20:00 BST onward, with late local kick-offs running into the early morning. The opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) kicks off at 20:00 BST on June 11; the Final is 20:00 BST on Sunday, July 19.

Are kick-off times the same in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland?

Yes. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all observe British Summer Time during the World Cup window, identical to England. Every kick-off time on this page applies equally across the United Kingdom. The Republic of Ireland is also on Irish Standard Time, which matches BST hour-for-hour during the tournament.