2026 World Cup Kickoff Countdown
When is 2026 FIFA World Cup? Date, facts & history →Countdown Location
By default, holidays are counted down to midnight in your local time. You can change this below.
The World Cup 2026, officially the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is the 23rd edition of football's premier international tournament and the largest in its history. For the first time it is co-hosted by three nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and it is the first World Cup with an expanded field of 48 teams playing 104 matches.
The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, and runs to the final on July 19, 2026. The countdown above tracks the exact days, hours, and minutes until the opening match.
When Does the World Cup 2026 Start? Schedule & Kickoff
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The 104 matches run across 16 host cities and several time zones over roughly five weeks, so kickoff times vary widely. Use the live countdown above for the opening match, and our UTC to EST Converter or World Clock to convert any World Cup 2026 fixture to your local time.
World Cup 2026 Host Cities and Stadiums
Sixteen cities across three countries host the 2026 World Cup:
- United States (11): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.
- Mexico (3): Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
- Canada (2): Toronto and Vancouver.
The final is played on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area, so travel and time zone planning is a real factor for visiting fans.
How the 48-Team Format Works
The expanded format splits 48 teams into twelve groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a new round of 32, followed by the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. In total there are 104 matches, up from 64 under the previous 32-team format.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026
Matches are carried by national broadcasters and streaming services in each country, so check your local listings for coverage. Because games run mainly on North American time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific), international viewers should confirm kickoff times locally. Our UTC to EST Converter, UTC to PST Converter, and World Clock make it easy to line up every fixture with your own clock.
World Cup 2026 FAQ
When does the World Cup 2026 start?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens on June 11, 2026, and the final is on July 19, 2026.
Which countries are hosting the World Cup 2026?
It is jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the first time three nations have shared hosting duties.
How many teams are in the World Cup 2026?
The field expands to 48 teams for the first time, up from 32, raising the total number of matches to 104.
Where is the World Cup 2026 final?
The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in the New York/New Jersey area.
How can I watch the World Cup 2026 in my time zone?
Check your national broadcaster for coverage, then convert kickoff times with our World Clock or UTC to EST Converter.