When Does the 2026 FIFA World Cup Start? Exact Kickoff Date, Full Schedule, and How to Watch

The next FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on Thursday, 11 June 2026, when hosts Mexico play the opening match at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca. According to the tournament match schedule released by FIFA, the month-long spectacle will run until the final on Sunday, 19 July 2026. What time does the opening whistle blow? • Local kick-off is set for 19:00 CDT (00:00 UTC on 12 June), making it a prime-time broadcast across North America and a late-night/early-morning event for viewers in Europe and Asia. • The first seven days (11–17 June) will see every team play once, packing the schedule with triple-header group games each day. Why the 2026 World Cup start date matters • It marks the first 48-team World Cup, expanding the group stage to 104 matches and guaranteeing more prime-time football for fans worldwide. • June 11 falls at the end of most domestic seasons, giving players a full pre-tournament camp while avoiding conflict with major continental club finals. • Ticket windows reopen six months before kick-off; fans who plan around the opening game can bundle Mexico City with nearby U.S. and Canadian fixtures. Key dates after the opener • Group stage: 11 June – 27 June • Round of 32: 29 June – 2 July • Quarter-finals: 8 & 9 July • Semi-finals: 14 & 15 July • Final: 19 July in East Rutherford, New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) How to watch and stream the first match Major broadcast partners—Fox/Telemundo (U.S.), TSN/CTV (Canada), and Televisa/TV Azteca (Mexico)—will provide free-to-air coverage, while global audiences can stream via FIFA+ and licensed OTT apps. Expect rights-holders to confirm exact channel listings and pre-game programming in early 2026. Travel tips for opening-day fans 1. Book Mexico City accommodation now; prices historically jump 150 % once group-stage tickets are allocated. 2. The new Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU) offers budget flights and a direct shuttle to Estadio Azteca. 3. Use the official FIFA ticket resale portal to avoid scams; resale opens in March 2026. SEO takeaway If you’re searching “When does the World Cup start?”, mark 11 June 2026 on your calendar. The 19:00 CDT kick-off in Mexico City launches a record-breaking 104-match tournament that spans 16 cities across the USA, Canada and Mexico—culminating five weeks later with a final in the New York metro area.