The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from Thursday June 11 to Sunday July 19, 2026, and for the first time it features 48 teams, 12 groups and a brand new Round of 32. The catch for East African fans is the time zone. North America sits 7 to 10 hours behind Kampala, which means kickoffs land in three windows: a comfortable prime time slot between 7pm and midnight EAT, a late night slot between midnight and 5am, and an early morning slot between 5am and 8am.
The good news is that the some biggest fixtures are kind to this side of the world. The opening match, Mexico vs South Africa, kicks off at 10pm EAT tonight, both semi-finals are 10pm EAT kickoffs, and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium is also a 10pm EAT start. Use the search box to jump straight to your team.
Prime time
Late night
Early morning
7pm to 11:59pm · 12am to 4:59am · 5am to 8:59am, all EAT
Showing all 104 matches
Group Stage (June 11 to June 28, EAT dates)
Thursday, June 11
Prime time
Group AMexico vs South AfricaEstadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Friday, June 12
Early morning
Group ASouth Korea vs Czech RepublicEstadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
Prime time
Group BCanada vs Bosnia & HerzegovinaBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Saturday, June 13
Late night
Group DUSA vs ParaguaySoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Prime time
Group BQatar vs SwitzerlandLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Sunday, June 14
Late night
Group CBrazil vs MoroccoMetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Late night
Group CHaiti vs ScotlandGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Early morning
Group DAustralia vs TurkiyeBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Prime time
Group EGermany vs CuracaoNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Prime time
Group FNetherlands vs JapanAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Monday, June 15
Late night
Group EIvory Coast vs EcuadorLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Early morning
Group FSweden vs TunisiaEstadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Prime time
Group HSpain vs Cape VerdeMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Prime time
Group GBelgium vs EgyptLumen Field, Seattle, USA
Tuesday, June 16
Late night
Group HSaudi Arabia vs UruguayHard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Group GIran vs New ZealandSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Prime time
Group IFrance vs SenegalMetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Wednesday, June 17
Late night
Group IIraq vs NorwayGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Late night
Group JArgentina vs AlgeriaArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Early morning
Group JAustria vs JordanLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Prime time
Group KPortugal vs DR CongoNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Prime time
Group LEngland vs CroatiaAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Thursday, June 18
Late night
Group LGhana vs PanamaBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Early morning
Group KUzbekistan vs ColombiaEstadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Prime time
Group ACzech Republic vs South AfricaMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Prime time
Group BSwitzerland vs Bosnia & HerzegovinaSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Friday, June 19
Late night
Group BCanada vs QatarBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Late night
Group AMexico vs South KoreaEstadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
Prime time
Group DUSA vs AustraliaLumen Field, Seattle, USA
Saturday, June 20
Late night
Group CScotland vs MoroccoGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Late night
Group CBrazil vs HaitiLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Early morning
Group DTurkiye vs ParaguayLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Prime time
Group FNetherlands vs SwedenNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Prime time
Group EGermany vs Ivory CoastBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Sunday, June 21
Late night
Group EEcuador vs CuracaoArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Early morning
Group FTunisia vs JapanEstadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Prime time
Group HSpain vs Saudi ArabiaMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Prime time
Group GBelgium vs IranSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Monday, June 22
Late night
Group HUruguay vs Cape VerdeHard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Group GNew Zealand vs EgyptBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Prime time
Group JArgentina vs AustriaAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Tuesday, June 23
Late night
Group IFrance vs IraqLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Late night
Group INorway vs SenegalBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Early morning
Group JJordan vs AlgeriaLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Prime time
Group KPortugal vs UzbekistanNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Prime time
Group LEngland vs GhanaGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Wednesday, June 24
Late night
Group LPanama vs CroatiaGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Early morning
Group KColombia vs DR CongoEstadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
Prime time
Group BSwitzerland vs CanadaBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Prime time
Group BBosnia & Herzegovina vs QatarLumen Field, Seattle, USA
Thursday, June 25
Late night
Group CMorocco vs HaitiMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Late night
Group CScotland vs BrazilHard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Group ASouth Africa vs South KoreaEstadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Late night
Group ACzech Republic vs MexicoEstadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Prime time
Group ECuracao vs Ivory CoastLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Prime time
Group EEcuador vs GermanyMetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Friday, June 26
Late night
Group FTunisia vs NetherlandsArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Late night
Group FJapan vs SwedenAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Early morning
Group DTurkiye vs USASoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Early morning
Group DParaguay vs AustraliaLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Prime time
Group INorway vs FranceGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Prime time
Group ISenegal vs IraqBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Saturday, June 27
Late night
Group HCape Verde vs Saudi ArabiaNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Late night
Group HUruguay vs SpainEstadio Akron, Zapopan, Mexico
Early morning
Group GNew Zealand vs BelgiumBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Early morning
Group GEgypt vs IranLumen Field, Seattle, USA
Sunday, June 28
Late night
Group LPanama vs EnglandMetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Late night
Group LCroatia vs GhanaLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Late night
Group KColombia vs PortugalHard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Group KDR Congo vs UzbekistanMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Early morning
Group JAlgeria vs AustriaArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Early morning
Group JJordan vs ArgentinaAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Round of 32 (June 28 to July 4, EAT dates)
Sunday, June 28
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 73Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-upSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Monday, June 29
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 76Group C winners vs Group F runners-upNRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 74Group E winners vs Third place A/B/C/D/FGillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Tuesday, June 30
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 75Group F winners vs Group C runners-upEstadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 78Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-upAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Wednesday, July 1
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 77Group I winners vs Third place C/D/F/G/HMetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 79Group A winners vs Third place C/E/F/H/IEstadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 80Group L winners vs Third place E/H/I/J/KMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 82Group G winners vs Third place A/E/H/I/JLumen Field, Seattle, USA
Thursday, July 2
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 81Group D winners vs Third place B/E/F/I/JLevi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, USA
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 84Group H winners vs Group J runners-upSoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Friday, July 3
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 83Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-upBMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Early morning
Round of 32 | Match 85Group B winners vs Third place E/F/G/I/JBC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Prime time
Round of 32 | Match 88Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-upAT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Saturday, July 4
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 86Group J winners vs Group H runners-upHard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Round of 32 | Match 87Group K winners vs Third place D/E/I/J/LArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Round of 16 (July 4 to July 7)
Saturday, July 4
Prime time
Round of 16 | Match 90Winner Match 73 vs Winner Match 75NRG Stadium, Houston, USA
Sunday, July 5
Late night
Round of 16 | Match 89Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
Prime time
Round of 16 | Match 91Winner Match 76 vs Winner Match 78MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
Monday, July 6
Late night
Round of 16 | Match 92Winner Match 79 vs Winner Match 80Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Prime time
Round of 16 | Match 93Winner Match 83 vs Winner Match 84AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Tuesday, July 7
Late night
Round of 16 | Match 94Winner Match 81 vs Winner Match 82Lumen Field, Seattle, USA
Prime time
Round of 16 | Match 95Winner Match 86 vs Winner Match 88Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Prime time
Round of 16 | Match 96Winner Match 85 vs Winner Match 87BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
Quarter-finals (July 9 to July 12)
Thursday, July 9
Prime time
Quarter-final | Match 97Winner Match 89 vs Winner Match 90Gillette Stadium, Boston, USA
Friday, July 10
Prime time
Quarter-final | Match 98Winner Match 93 vs Winner Match 94SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, USA
Sunday, July 12
Late night
Quarter-final | Match 99Winner Match 91 vs Winner Match 92Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
Late night
Quarter-final | Match 100Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Semi-finals (July 14 and July 15)
Tuesday, July 14
Prime time
Semi-final | Match 101Winner Match 97 vs Winner Match 98AT&T Stadium, Dallas, USA
Wednesday, July 15
Prime time
Semi-final | Match 102Winner Match 99 vs Winner Match 100Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Third Place Play-off (July 19, midnight EAT)
Sunday, July 19
Late night
Third place play-off | Match 103Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA
The Final (Sunday July 19, 10pm EAT)
Sunday, July 19
Prime time
Final | Match 104Winner Match 101 vs Winner Match 102MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA
World Cup 2026 in EAT: Quick Answers
What time is the World Cup 2026 final in Uganda?
The World Cup 2026 final kicks off at 10:00pm East Africa Time on Sunday July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. That is a perfect prime time slot for fans in Kampala, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kigali.
What time zone is EAT and why are the kickoff times late?
East Africa Time (EAT) is UTC+3, used in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The 2026 World Cup is being played in the USA, Canada and Mexico, which are 7 to 10 hours behind East Africa, so most matches land between 7:00pm and 7:00am EAT.
How many World Cup 2026 matches kick off in prime time for East Africa?
Roughly half of the 104 matches kick off between 7:00pm and midnight EAT, including the opening match, both semi-finals and the final. The rest fall overnight between midnight and 7:00am EAT, so set an alarm for the late window fixtures.
When does the World Cup 2026 start and end?
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 16 host cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It is the first 48 team World Cup, with 104 matches, a group stage of 12 groups and a brand new Round of 32.
Which African teams are playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Nine African nations qualified: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, Cape Verde and DR Congo via the playoff. Cape Verde and DR Congo are at the World Cup for the first time.
All kickoff times on this page are in East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3), the time zone used in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Dates shown are the EAT calendar dates, so a match listed under Sunday at 1am is on Saturday night for viewing purposes. Fixtures are based on the confirmed FIFA schedule and are correct as of June 11, 2026. Knockout pairings will be updated as the group stage concludes.
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