WORLD CUP 2026 KICKS OFF IN NORTH AMERICA! TIME ZONES REVEALED

For the first time, the World Cup will be hosted by three nations simultaneously, bringing football’s premier international competition back to the Americas. It’s been twelve years since Brazil welcomed the world, and now the tournament shifts northward, focusing on the central and northern parts of the continent.

Mexico, Canada, and the United States will co-host, marking the return of the World Cup to North America 32 years after the iconic USA '94 event—which many credit with transforming the sport’s popularity in the region.

With the last spots decided following the March FIFA play-offs, the complete match schedule is now finalized. The tournament’s kickoff date and the opening game’s location have long been set, as fans wait eagerly for the action to begin.

The historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is poised to make football history by becoming the first stadium to host three World Cup tournaments. The opening match is slated for June 11th (or June 12th in some regions), with the final showdown scheduled for July 19th (July 20th elsewhere). The event kicks off with a crucial clash between Mexico and South Africa at this legendary venue.

Kick-off times for the opening match across various time zones are as follows:

• Mexico City: 13:00
• Los Angeles (West USA): 12:00
• New York (East USA): 15:00
• Toronto (Canada): 15:00
• São Paulo (Brazil): 16:00
• Buenos Aires (Argentina): 16:00
• Montevideo (Uruguay): 16:00
• Praia (Cape Verde): 18:00
• Dakar (Senegal): 19:00
• London (UK): 20:00
• Lagos (Nigeria): 20:00
• Rabat (Morocco): 20:00
• Algiers (Algeria): 20:00
• Luanda (Angola): 20:00
• Madrid (Spain): 21:00
• Paris (France): 21:00
• Berlin (Germany): 21:00
• Johannesburg (South Africa): 21:00
• Maputo (Mozambique): 21:00
• Dubai (UAE): 23:00
• New Delhi (India): 00:30 (June 12)
• Beijing (China): 03:00 (June 12)
• Tokyo (Japan): 04:00 (June 12)
• Sydney (Australia): 05:00 (June 12)