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 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST, UTC+12), the offset New Zealand uses during the tournament window. June and July are New Zealand winter, so the country is on standard time without daylight saving for the entire duration.

Match-day rhythms place most fixtures in the early-to-mid afternoon for New Zealand viewers. Matches in Mexico City and on the US Eastern Time coast (Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami) and in Toronto typically kick off between 06:00 and 15:00 NZST. US Central Time hosts (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City) push starts to 07:00 to 16:00 NZST. US Pacific Time hosts (Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver) put marquee evening matches at 09:00 to 18:00 NZST. Most viewing falls within work-hour and after-school windows, ideal for cafes and pubs in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

The All Whites play in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, the third men’s World Cup appearance for New Zealand after 1982 and 2010 (the only undefeated team in 2010 with three draws). The squad opens against Iran in Los Angeles (Monday, June 15, 13:00 NZST on Tuesday June 16, midday Tuesday), faces Egypt in Vancouver (Sunday, June 21, 13:00 NZST on Monday June 22), and closes the group against Belgium in Vancouver (Friday, June 26, 15:00 NZST on Saturday June 27). All three matches sit in the early-afternoon NZST window, ideal for Saturday-afternoon Belgium decider and weekday lunch-hour Iran and Egypt fixtures.

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The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs June 11 to July 19, 2026. All 104 matches converted to New Zealand / Aotearoa local time (NZST, UTC+12:00). Opening match is Mexico vs South Africa on Fri Jun 12 at 7:00 AM NZST. Final is Mon Jul 20 at 7:00 AM NZST.

Frequently asked questions

When does New Zealand play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

New Zealand plays three Group G matches: vs Iran on Monday, June 15 in Los Angeles (kick-off 13:00 NZST on Tuesday June 16); vs Egypt on Sunday, June 21 in Vancouver (kick-off 13:00 NZST on Monday June 22); and vs Belgium on Friday, June 26 in Vancouver (kick-off 15:00 NZST 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 New Zealand in at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

New Zealand is in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and Iran. 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 New Zealand's third men's World Cup appearance after 1982 and 2010. The All Whites went unbeaten at South Africa 2010 with three draws (vs Slovakia, Italy, and Paraguay), the only side to leave the tournament without a defeat that year, despite not progressing from the group.

What time will World Cup 2026 matches be on New Zealand TV?

Most matches will air between 06:00 NZST and 18:00 NZST. Mexico City and US Eastern Time matches air between 06:00 and 15:00 NZST. US Pacific Time matches air from 09:00 to 18:00 NZST. The opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) kicks off at 07:00 NZST on Friday, June 12. The Final is 07:00 NZST on Monday, July 20. Sky Sport NZ typically holds New Zealand rights for FIFA tournaments.

Are kick-off times the same in Australia and the Pacific Islands?

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10) is two hours behind NZST during the tournament; subtract two hours from every kick-off time on this page for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne. Fiji uses FJT (UTC+12) and matches NZST. Samoa uses Apia time (UTC+13), one hour ahead. Tonga uses TOT (UTC+13). Pacific Standard Time (PST/PDT) Pacific island nations like American Samoa (UTC-11) sit on the other side of the date line, requiring a full date shift to follow the same fixtures.