2026 World Cup to Feature Unprecedented 13 Kick-off Times Across Time Zones

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to break new ground with an unprecedented 13 different kick-off times as the tournament spans 16 cities across three host nations. Football enthusiasts worldwide will need to adjust their sleep schedules, with some matches starting as early as 5:00 am BST.

Cross-Continental Challenges

Organizers face unique logistical hurdles with venues stretching 2,800 miles apart across four time zones in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. FIFA has scheduled matches to balance player welfare, fan experience, and global viewership, resulting in:

• 35 group-stage matches between midnight-5:00 am BST
• 12 evening games at 8:00 pm BST
• Five early morning fixtures at 5:00 am BST

European Viewing Challenges

UK-based fans will particularly feel the strain, with:

• All Kansas City matches scheduled overnight
• Scotland's opener against Haiti at 2:00 am BST
• High-profile clashes like Uruguay vs Spain at 1:00 am BST

Knockout Phase Relief

The schedule becomes more viewer-friendly as the tournament progresses:

Home Nations Schedule

England and Scotland face varied time challenges:

The expanded 48-team tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, opening at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca and concluding at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. With 104 matches scheduled over 39 days, this World Cup promises to be the most geographically complex in football history.