The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States across 16 cities. All 104 matches on this page are converted to Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30), the year-round offset for Iran since the country abolished daylight saving time in March 2022.

Match-day rhythms place most fixtures in the late-evening and early-morning Iranian window. Matches in Mexico City and on the US Eastern Time coast (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami) and in Toronto typically kick off between 19:30 and 06:30 IRST. US Central Time hosts (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City) push starts to 20:30 to 07:30 IRST. US Pacific Time hosts (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver) put marquee evening matches as late as 22:30 to 09:30 IRST.

Iran plays in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. Team Melli opens against New Zealand in Los Angeles (Monday, June 15, 04:30 IRST on Tuesday June 16, an early-morning fixture), faces Belgium in Los Angeles (Sunday, June 21, 22:30 IRST, an excellent prime-time slot), and closes the group against Egypt in Seattle (Friday, June 26, 06:30 IRST on Saturday June 27). The Belgium match is the friendliest viewing window of the campaign, while the Egypt closer is a deep-night-into-morning fixture for Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. This is Iran’s seventh World Cup appearance after 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, and 2022, and the third consecutive tournament for the program.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. All 104 matches converted to Iran local time (IRST, UTC+03:30). Opening match is Mexico vs South Africa on Thu Jun 11 at 10:30 PM IRST. Final is Sun Jul 19 at 10:30 PM IRST.

Frequently asked questions

When does Iran play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Iran plays three Group G matches: vs New Zealand on Monday, June 15 in Los Angeles (kick-off 04:30 IRST on Tuesday June 16); vs Belgium on Sunday, June 21 in Los Angeles (kick-off 22:30 IRST); and vs Egypt on Friday, June 26 in Seattle (kick-off 06:30 IRST on Saturday June 27). Knockout fixtures depend on Group G finishing positions and run from June 28 through the Final on July 19.

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

Iran is in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32. This is Iran's seventh World Cup appearance and the third consecutive tournament after Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. Iran has never advanced past the group stage at a FIFA World Cup; reaching the Round of 32 in 2026 would be a national football first.

What time will World Cup 2026 matches be on in Iran?

Most matches will air between 19:30 IRST and 09:30 IRST. Mexico City and US Eastern Time matches air between 19:30 and 06:30 IRST. US Pacific Time matches air from 22:30 to 09:30 IRST. The opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) kicks off at 22:30 IRST on Thursday, June 11. The Final is 22:30 IRST on Sunday, July 19. Iran Television and Radio (IRIB) typically holds Iranian broadcast rights for FIFA tournaments.

Does Iran observe daylight saving time during the World Cup 2026?

No. Iran abolished daylight saving time in March 2022 and now uses Iran Standard Time (IRST, UTC+3:30) year-round. Every kick-off time on this page applies without adjustment for Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and the rest of Iran. Afghanistan is also UTC+4:30 (no DST), thirty minutes ahead of Iran during the tournament.