The biggest football tournament ever is finally here. The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and for the first time it features 48 teams playing 104 matches. There is just one catch for fans in India: every game kicks off in North America, so the timings land late at night and early in the morning. This page gives you the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in IST (Indian Standard Time), so you know exactly when to set your alarm.
[ Your live IST schedule tool loads here — pick your team, see every match in your local time, and add games to your calendar. ]
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The tournament opens on 11 June 2026 with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and closes with the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium near New York. In between, 48 nations are split into 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, advance to a new Round of 32, and the tournament then runs as a straight knockout to the final.
- Dates: 11 June – 19 July 2026
- Hosts: USA, Canada and Mexico (16 cities)
- Teams: 48 — the largest World Cup in history
- Matches: 104 in total
- Defending champions: Argentina, who begin against Austria in Group J
Why the timings are tricky for Indian fans
Because the matches are played across North American time zones, kickoff times for Indian viewers fall between roughly 9:30 PM and 9:30 AM IST. India is 9 hours 30 minutes ahead of US Eastern Time, so an afternoon kickoff in the States becomes a midnight match in India. The marquee fixtures — the opening game, both semi-finals and the final — all begin at 12:30 AM IST, setting up a month of late-night football.
Quick IST conversion guide
Most games start at one of four US Eastern Time slots. Here is roughly how they translate to IST (the live tool above gives the exact time for every single match, including games played in Central, Mountain and Pacific cities):
| US Eastern Time kickoff | Indian Standard Time (IST) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM ET | 9:30 PM IST (same day) |
| 3:00 PM ET | 12:30 AM IST (next day) |
| 6:00 PM ET | 3:30 AM IST (next day) |
| 9:00 PM ET | 6:30 AM IST (next day) |
Key match timings in IST
- Opening match (Mexico vs South Africa) — 12:30 AM IST, 12 June
- Group stage — 11 June to 27 June
- Round of 32 — begins late June
- Round of 16 — from 4 July
- Quarter-finals — early July
- Semi-finals — both at 12:30 AM IST
- Final — 12:30 AM IST, 20 July (19 July in the US)
Use the scheduler at the top of this page to filter by your team and see each fixture in your exact local time — no manual maths, no missed kickoffs.
How to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India
After months of uncertainty, Zee Entertainment secured the India broadcast rights for the 2026 World Cup. Here is where you can watch:
- Live TV: Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.
- Live streaming: ZEE5 (paid subscription) — watch on mobile, laptop, tablet or smart TV.
- Free-to-air: select matches, including the quarter-finals onwards, on DD Sports.
If you plan to stream on the go, a ZEE5 subscription covers the whole tournament across devices, while DD Sports is the free option for the biggest knockout games.
How to use this schedule
The interactive scheduler above is built for Indian fans. It automatically detects your time zone, so you see every kickoff in IST without changing a thing. You can:
- Filter by team — follow only the nations you care about.
- See exact local times — every match converted to IST automatically.
- Add to calendar — export any fixture straight to Google Calendar or your phone so you never miss a game.
Bookmark this page and check back through the tournament — the knockout fixtures update as teams qualify.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in IST?
The final kicks off at 12:30 AM IST on 20 July 2026 (3:00 PM Eastern Time on 19 July) at MetLife Stadium near New York.
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
There are 104 matches, up from 64 in 2022, because the tournament has expanded to 48 teams.
Where is the 2026 World Cup being held?
It is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities — the first time three nations have co-hosted.
What time do World Cup 2026 matches start in India?
Kickoff times in India range from about 9:30 PM to 9:30 AM IST, depending on which US city and time zone the match is played in.
Where can I watch the World Cup 2026 in India?
On TV via the Unite8 Sports channels, streaming on ZEE5, and select knockout matches free on DD Sports.
Can I add World Cup matches to my calendar?
Yes — use the scheduler at the top of this page to export any fixture to your Google Calendar or phone with one tap.
