World Cup 2026 Groups and Fixtures: All 72 Matches, Dates, Times and Venues
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage runs from June 11 to June 27 across 16 stadiums in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It features 72 matches, 48 teams, and more simultaneous storylines than any World Cup in history.
What follows is the complete breakdown: every group, every fixture with confirmed kickoff times, and the context behind what makes each one worth watching.
What Time Does the World Cup 2026 Start? Kickoff Times Explained
All kickoff times in this guide are shown in three time zones:
| Time Zone | Covers | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| ET | USA East Coast | UTC−5 |
| BST / WAT | UK, Ireland, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire | UTC+1 (same offset in June) |
| CAT | South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Kenya | UTC+2 |
BST and WAT share the same UTC+1 offset throughout June, which means UK readers and West African readers can use the same column. Six African nations are in this tournament more than any previous World Cup. Times marked † fall the following day.
The earliest kickoff in the tournament is 12:00 PM ET (5:00 PM BST/WAT, 6:00 PM CAT). The latest is 10:00 PM ET (3:00 AM† BST/WAT, 4:00 AM† CAT). The scheduling reality for African audiences is addressed in full in our piece on World Cup 2026 kickoff times by time zone →.
World Cup 2026 Groups: All 12 at a Glance
| Group | Teams | Host Nation | Key Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, UEFA PO-D | Mexico | Mexico vs South Africa: Opening Match |
| B | Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA PO-A | Canada | Canada home opener at BMO Field |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland | USA | Brazil vs Morocco: Marquee MD1 clash |
| D | USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA PO-C | USA | USA vs Paraguay: Host nation opener |
| E | Germany, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao | USA / Canada | Germany vs Curaçao: World Cup debut |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA PO-B | USA / Mexico | Tunisia vs Japan: FIFA's 1,000th WC match |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand | USA | Belgium vs Egypt: Mohamed Salah's World Cup return |
| H | Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia | Mexico / USA | Uruguay vs Spain: Final matchday decider |
| I | France, Senegal, Norway, IC PO-2 | USA | France vs Senegal: Group of Death opener |
| J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan | USA | Argentina vs Algeria: Champions begin defence |
| K | Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, IC PO-1 | USA / Mexico | Colombia vs Portugal: Ronaldo's last chapter |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama | USA / Canada | England vs Croatia: 2018 semi-final rematch |
UEFA PO = UEFA Playoff Winner (confirmed March 2026). IC PO = Intercontinental Playoff Winner (confirmed March 2026).
World Cup 2026 Group A Fixtures: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, UEFA Playoff D
The World Cup 2026 group stage opens at Estadio Azteca on June 11 with a fixture loaded with history. Mexico vs South Africa was the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg a 1-1 draw that launched the first tournament on African soil. Sixteen years later it kicks off the tournament again, this time with Mexico as hosts.
Korea Republic give this group genuine depth. They reached the semi-finals in 2002 on home soil and have consistently reached the knockout stages since. UEFA Playoff D which will be one of Denmark, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland or North Macedonia completes the group.
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off: final matchday On the last matchday of each group, both matches kick off at exactly the same time. FIFA does this deliberately so neither team knows the other result while they're playing it stops a situation where one team knows exactly what they need and can play for it. So in Group A for example, both June 24 matches start at 9:00 PM ET at the same moment.
† Next day This just means the BST/WAT or CAT time has crossed midnight. So when a match kicks off at 9:00 PM ET on a Friday, it's 2:00 AM in London which is technically Saturday. The † tells that date has changed, so they don't set an alarm for the wrong night.
Group A Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Mexico vs South Africa | Thu, Jun 11 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| MD1 | Korea Republic vs UEFA PO-D | Thu, Jun 11 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| MD2 | UEFA PO-D vs South Africa | Thu, Jun 18 | 12:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| MD2 | Mexico vs Korea Republic | Thu, Jun 18 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| MD3 | UEFA PO-D vs Mexico ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| MD3 | South Africa vs Korea Republic ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off - final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group B Fixtures: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, UEFA Playoff A
Canada's World Cup homecoming begins June 12 at BMO Field in Toronto is a city the men's national team has rarely had reason to celebrate at a major tournament. Their last World Cup appearance was 1986, where they exited without scoring a single goal.
In 2026 they play all three group stage matches on home soil, opening in Toronto before moving west to Vancouver. Switzerland are among the most consistent knockout qualifiers in world football and cannot be dismissed. Qatar, who hosted 2022, return as the underdog with something to prove. UEFA Playoff A with Italy, Wales, Northern Ireland or Bosnia and Herzegovina rounds out the group, and Italy's potential inclusion would make this one of the most watched groups in Canada's history.
Group B Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Canada vs UEFA PO-A | Fri, Jun 12 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| MD1 | Qatar vs Switzerland | Sat, Jun 13 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| MD2 | Switzerland vs UEFA PO-A | Thu, Jun 18 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| MD2 | Canada vs Qatar | Thu, Jun 18 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | BC Place, Vancouver |
| MD3 | Switzerland vs Canada ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| MD3 | UEFA PO-A vs Qatar ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off: final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group C Fixtures: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Brazil vs Morocco on June 13 is the standout fixture of the opening week and arguably the most loaded group stage match of the entire first round. Morocco reached the semi-finals at Qatar 2022: the furthest any African nation has ever gone at a World Cup: and return with the same defensive structure that dismantled Portugal and Spain. Brazil, for all their talent, face a Morocco side that has shown it can beat anyone.
Scotland return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, backed by a fanbase that has been waiting 28 years for this moment. Haiti are the group's wildcard: a nation qualifying for just their second-ever World Cup. Every game in this group has a narrative worth following.
Group C Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Brazil vs Morocco | Sat, Jun 13 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| MD1 | Haiti vs Scotland | Sat, Jun 13 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
| MD2 | Scotland vs Morocco | Fri, Jun 19 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
| MD2 | Brazil vs Haiti | Fri, Jun 19 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| MD3 | Scotland vs Brazil ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| MD3 | Morocco vs Haiti ⚑ | Wed, Jun 24 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off: final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group D Fixtures: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C
The United States open their home World Cup against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles: the first of three host nation openers spread across the opening weekend. The USMNT have a generation of talent that came of age watching the 2014 and 2018 cycles and now faces a genuine opportunity to make a deep run on home soil.
Australia are the group's most dangerous opponent after their quarter-final run in Qatar 2022, which included a penalty shootout win over Argentina's bête noire, eventually losing to eventual runners-up Argentina. UEFA Playoff C with Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo takes the fourth spot, with Türkiye's potential inclusion adding significant viewing figures from Europe.
Group D Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | United States vs Paraguay | Fri, Jun 12 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| MD1 | Australia vs UEFA PO-C | Sat, Jun 13 | 12:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| MD2 | UEFA PO-C vs Paraguay | Fri, Jun 19 | 12:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| MD2 | United States vs Australia | Fri, Jun 19 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| MD3 | UEFA PO-C vs United States ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| MD3 | Paraguay vs Australia ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group E Fixtures: Germany, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao
Germany vs Curaçao on June 14 is one of the most historically unusual fixtures in World Cup history. Curaçao a Caribbean island nation of under 160,000 people and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands becomes the smallest nation by population ever to appear at a World Cup. The mismatch in size and ranking is extreme, but Curaçao's qualification is a genuine sporting achievement.
Germany arrive at this tournament with something to prove after two consecutive group stage exits in 2018 and 2022 something that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. Côte d'Ivoire are a legitimate second-place contender with Premier League-level talent throughout the squad. Ecuador are organised, physical, and have previous World Cup pedigree. Germany need to win this group; finishing second opens a harder knockout path.
Group E Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Germany vs Curaçao | Sun, Jun 14 | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| MD1 | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | Sun, Jun 14 | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | 1:00 AM† | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| MD2 | Germany vs Ivory Coast | Sat, Jun 20 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| MD2 | Ecuador vs Curaçao | Sat, Jun 20 | 8:00 PM | 1:00 AM† | 2:00 AM† | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| MD3 | Curaçao vs Ivory Coast ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| MD3 | Ecuador vs Germany ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group F Fixtures: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, UEFA Playoff B
Tunisia vs Japan on June 20 is, per FIFA's official match count, the 1,000th game in World Cup history. No other fixture in this tournament carries that distinction. The match takes place at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, and while both teams are fighting for second place behind the Netherlands, the milestone gives it a permanence beyond the result.
The Netherlands are the clear group favourites after reaching the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022. Japan remain one of Asia's most watchable sides tactically disciplined, technically sharp, and capable of upsets as they showed against Germany and Spain in 2022. UEFA Playoff B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania fights Tunisia for the third-place route into the knockout stage.
Group F Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Netherlands vs Japan | Sun, Jun 14 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| MD1 | UEFA PO-B vs Tunisia | Sun, Jun 14 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
| MD2 | Netherlands vs UEFA PO-B | Sat, Jun 20 | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| MD2 | Tunisia vs Japan ★ | Sat, Jun 20 | 12:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
| MD3 | Japan vs UEFA PO-B ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | 1:00 AM† | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| MD3 | Tunisia vs Netherlands ⚑ | Thu, Jun 25 | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | 1:00 AM† | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
★ FIFA's 1,000th World Cup match | ⚑ Simultaneous kick-off : final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group G Fixtures: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Mohamed Salah's return to the World Cup stage is the story that defines Group G. Egypt last appeared in 2018, where they exited the group stage without a win, and Salah: now in the final stretch of his peak years is their entire attacking threat and emotional engine. At club level he has broken records that seemed unbreakable. At a World Cup, he has never made it past the group stage. That changes or it doesn't here.
Belgium are transitioning. The golden generation of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku who collectively never won a tournament has given way to a younger squad still finding its identity. De Bruyne may still feature but Belgium's ceiling in 2026 is uncertain in a way it hasn't been for a decade. Iran, who upset Wales and drew with England at Qatar 2022, are a well-drilled unit capable of grinding results. New Zealand qualified through OFC and will make the most of every minute of their first World Cup since 2010.
Group G Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Belgium vs Egypt | Mon, Jun 15 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| MD1 | Iran vs New Zealand | Mon, Jun 15 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| MD2 | Belgium vs Iran | Sun, Jun 21 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| MD2 | New Zealand vs Egypt | Sun, Jun 21 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | BC Place, Vancouver |
| MD3 | Egypt vs Iran ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 11:00 PM | 4:00 AM† | 5:00 AM† | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| MD3 | New Zealand vs Belgium ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 11:00 PM | 4:00 AM† | 5:00 AM† | BC Place, Vancouver |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off: final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group H Fixtures: Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia
Spain arrive as FIFA's top-ranked team and reigning European champions: and this is still not a group they can sleepwalk through. Uruguay are two-time World Cup winners with a squad built around physical intensity and tactical pragmatism. Saudi Arabia stunned Argentina in 2022 and carry a proven record of producing upsets against elite opposition. Cape Verde are no pushovers, ranked inside the top 60 globally and qualifying comfortably through CAF.
The final matchday fixture Uruguay vs Spain at Estadio Akron is the match that could define both nations' tournament trajectories. If Spain need a result to secure top spot, and Uruguay need a result to advance at all, this becomes one of the group stage's genuinely high-pressure conclusions. Every seat in Guadalajara will know the stakes.
Group H Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Spain vs Cape Verde | Mon, Jun 15 | 12:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| MD1 | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Mon, Jun 15 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| MD2 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Sun, Jun 21 | 12:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| MD2 | Uruguay vs Cape Verde | Sun, Jun 21 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| MD3 | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 8:00 PM | 1:00 AM† | 2:00 AM† | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| MD3 | Uruguay vs Spain ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 8:00 PM | 1:00 AM† | 2:00 AM† | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group I Fixtures: France, Senegal, Norway, IC Playoff 2: The Group of Death
Group I is the 2026 World Cup's undisputed Group of Death, and it's not particularly close. France were 2022 runners-up. Norway bring Erling Haaland to his first World Cup: a striker with 40+ international goals who has never played on the sport's biggest stage. Senegal reached the Round of 16 in Qatar, are the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, and famously beat France 1-0 at the 2002 World Cup in a result that still resonates. The Intercontinental Playoff 2 winner: Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname: is the only team without a realistic path to the knockout round.
France vs Senegal on June 16 at MetLife Stadium is the group stage's most historically charged fixture. One of France, Norway or Senegal will be eliminated. Whoever goes home will feel the weight of what might have been.
Group I Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | France vs Senegal | Tue, Jun 16 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| MD1 | IC PO-2 vs Norway | Tue, Jun 16 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
| MD2 | France vs IC PO-2 | Mon, Jun 22 | 5:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| MD2 | Norway vs Senegal | Mon, Jun 22 | 8:00 PM | 1:00 AM† | 2:00 AM† | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| MD3 | Norway vs France ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
| MD3 | Senegal vs IC PO-2 ⚑ | Fri, Jun 26 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group J Fixtures: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan: Messi's Last World Cup
Lionel Messi will be 39 years old when this tournament begins. This is almost certainly his last. Argentina are defending champions chasing back-to-back titles something no nation has achieved since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. The pressure on this squad, and on Messi personally, is unlike anything the tournament has seen since Brazil 2014.
Algeria are the group's most credible challenger competitive CAF qualifiers with European-based talent and a strong recent record in continental competition. Austria have a resurgent generation and qualified comfortably. Jordan make their first-ever World Cup appearance after a historic qualifying campaign, and their final matchday fixture against Argentina at AT&T Stadium will be the most watched debut in their footballing history.
Group J Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Argentina vs Algeria | Tue, Jun 16 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| MD1 | Austria vs Jordan | Tue, Jun 16 | 12:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| MD2 | Argentina vs Austria | Mon, Jun 22 | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| MD2 | Jordan vs Algeria | Mon, Jun 22 | 11:00 PM | 4:00 AM† | 5:00 AM† | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| MD3 | Jordan vs Argentina ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| MD3 | Algeria vs Austria ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group K Fixtures: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, IC Playoff 1: Ronaldo's Last World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo turned 41 in February 2026. This is his last World Cup. Portugal are a legitimate quarter-final threat with a squad that extends well beyond their ageing talisman Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão are among the best in their positions in European football. But Ronaldo's farewell will dominate every broadcast, every preview and every post-match analysis regardless of the scoreline.
Colombia are the group's genuine dark horse. They qualified with authority through CONMEBOL, play an expansive attacking style, and have the firepower to trouble any team in the knockout rounds. The final matchday collision between Colombia and Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is the group's defining fixture potentially a straight shootout for top spot.
Group K Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | Portugal vs IC PO-1 | Fri, Jun 17 | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| MD1 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Fri, Jun 17 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| MD2 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Tue, Jun 23 | 1:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| MD2 | Colombia vs IC PO-1 | Tue, Jun 23 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| MD3 | Colombia vs Portugal ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 7:30 PM | 12:30 AM† | 1:30 AM† | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| MD3 | IC PO-1 vs Uzbekistan ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 7:30 PM | 12:30 AM† | 1:30 AM† | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Group L Fixtures: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama: The 2018 Rematch
England vs Croatia on June 17 is a direct rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, in which Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in extra time and end England's most promising tournament run in a generation. The fixture carries a weight that reaches beyond the group stage a chance at a reckoning, or a reminder of why that night in Moscow still stings.
England arrive with renewed optimism. Croatia, while past the peak of the 2018 vintage, remain organised and experienced, and Luka Modrić will not make another World Cup after this one. Ghana have made four of the last five World Cups and always provide a difficult, physical test they are not here to make up numbers. Panama, in their second-ever World Cup, will be fighting for every point.
Group L Fixtures: World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Matchday | Match | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD1 | England vs Croatia | Fri, Jun 17 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| MD1 | Ghana vs Panama | Fri, Jun 17 | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | 1:00 AM† | BMO Field, Toronto |
| MD2 | England vs Ghana | Tue, Jun 23 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts |
| MD2 | Panama vs Croatia | Tue, Jun 23 | 7:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | 1:00 AM† | BMO Field, Toronto |
| MD3 | Panama vs England ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 5:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| MD3 | Croatia vs Ghana ⚑ | Sat, Jun 27 | 5:00 PM | 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
⚑ Simultaneous kick-off final matchday | † Next day
World Cup 2026 Best Fixtures: The 10 Must-Watch Group Stage Matches
The group stage matches with the highest projected global viewership, based on FIFA rankings, market size, historical significance and head-to-head narrative:
| Rank | Fixture | Group | Date | ET | BST / WAT | CAT | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico vs South Africa | A | Jun 11 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | Estadio Azteca |
| 2 | France vs Senegal | I | Jun 16 | 3:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM | MetLife Stadium |
| 3 | Brazil vs Morocco | C | Jun 13 | 6:00 PM | 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM† | MetLife Stadium |
| 4 | Argentina vs Algeria | J | Jun 16 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | Arrowhead Stadium |
| 5 | England vs Croatia | L | Jun 17 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | AT&T Stadium |
| 6 | USA vs Paraguay | D | Jun 12 | 9:00 PM | 2:00 AM† | 3:00 AM† | SoFi Stadium |
| 7 | Uruguay vs Spain | H | Jun 26 | 8:00 PM | 1:00 AM† | 2:00 AM† | Estadio Akron |
| 8 | Jordan vs Argentina | J | Jun 27 | 10:00 PM | 3:00 AM† | 4:00 AM† | AT&T Stadium |
| 9 | Colombia vs Portugal | K | Jun 27 | 7:30 PM | 12:30 AM† | 1:30 AM† | Hard Rock Stadium |
| 10 | Ecuador vs Germany | E | Jun 25 | 4:00 PM | 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM | MetLife Stadium |
† Next day
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FootballAPI provides complete fixture data for all 104 World Cup 2026 matches group stage, knockout rounds, venues, kickoff times, and real-time results. Documentation at footballapi.com.
