When Does the World Cup Start?

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, 2026. The tournament will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026.

Opening day planning

Host cities span multiple time zones. Our schedule uses Eastern Time by default and links each match to stadium and team pages.

Opening weekend sets the tone for travel and viewing plans across three countries. Eastern Time kickoffs are used throughout wc26today so US audiences can compare cities fairly; convert locally if you are in Vancouver, Mexico City, or Dallas.

After the opener, the group stage runs on a compressed calendar with multiple matches per day. Bookmark today and tomorrow pages during the tournament to avoid scrolling the full month-long schedule.

Related coverage

Frequently asked questions

What time is the opening match?+

Kickoff times will be added to our fixtures file as they are announced.