FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in IST — Full Fixtures & India Timings
RestreamX · Updated 12 June 2026 (IST)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the USA, Mexico and Canada — 104 matches, 48 teams. For fans in India, almost every game falls late at night or early morning IST. Here's the full schedule converted to India Standard Time.
Opening matches in IST
The tournament opens with hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Here are the first marquee fixtures of the group stage, with kick-off times in India Standard Time.
| Match | Kick-off (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | 12:30 AM, Fri 12 Jun | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| South Korea vs Czechia | 7:30 AM, Fri 12 Jun | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 12:30 AM, Sat 13 Jun | BMO Field, Toronto |
| USA vs Paraguay | 6:30 AM, Sat 13 Jun | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| Qatar vs Switzerland | 12:30 AM, Sun 14 Jun | Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay |
| Brazil vs Morocco | 3:30 AM, Sun 14 Jun | MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey |
| Australia vs Türkiye | 9:30 AM, Sun 14 Jun | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Spain vs Cape Verde | 9:30 PM, Mon 15 Jun | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Big group-stage games (IST)
World Cup favourites and the biggest draws for Indian audiences — France, Argentina, England and Portugal — open their campaigns in the first week.
| Match | Kick-off (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| France vs Senegal | 12:30 AM, Wed 17 Jun | MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey |
| Argentina vs Algeria | 6:30 AM, Wed 17 Jun | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| England vs Croatia | 1:30 AM, Thu 18 Jun | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| Portugal vs DR Congo | 10:30 PM, Wed 17 Jun | NRG Stadium, Houston |
Knockout stage dates
After the group stage wraps on June 27, the new 32-team knockout bracket begins. Exact kick-off times are confirmed once the group placings are known, but here are the round windows (IST).
| Match | Kick-off (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | 28 Jun – 4 Jul | Across USA, Mexico & Canada |
| Round of 16 | 4 Jul – 8 Jul | Across USA, Mexico & Canada |
| Quarter-finals | 10 Jul – 12 Jul | Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City |
| Semi-finals | 15 Jul & 16 Jul | Dallas & Atlanta |
| Third-place play-off | 19 Jul (early AM) | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Final | 12:30 AM, Mon 20 Jul | MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey |
Watch the matches
Selected World Cup 2026 matches — including the opener — are free to stream on RestreamX, with the full schedule shown in IST so you never miss a kick-off. See our guide on the free and paid options for India below.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match in India?
The opening match, Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, kicks off at 12:30 AM IST on Friday, 12 June 2026 (1:00 PM local time on June 11 in Mexico City).
What are the common World Cup 2026 kick-off times in IST?
Most matches start at 9:30 PM, 10:30 PM, 12:30 AM, 1:30 AM, 3:30 AM, 6:30 AM, 7:30 AM or 9:30 AM IST, because the games are played across North American time zones.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in Indian time?
The final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), which is 12:30 AM IST in the early hours of Monday, July 20.
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
There are 104 matches in total — the first expanded 48-team World Cup, up from 64 matches and 32 teams in 2022.