World Cup 2026 Kick-Off Times by Time Zone
With three host nations spanning multiple time zones, World Cup 2026 matches kick off across a wide range of local times. Here is how the schedule translates for viewers around the world.
Standard Kick-Off Times (Local US/Mexico Time)
FIFA schedules matches at three standard kick-off times for the North American audience: 12:00 noon, 3:00pm, and 6:00pm local time. Most evening matches in the Eastern time zone kick off at 9:00pm.
Time Zone Conversion Guide
| Location | 12pm ET | 3pm ET | 6pm ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York (ET) | 12:00 | 15:00 | 18:00 |
| London (BST) | 17:00 | 20:00 | 23:00 |
| Paris/Berlin (CEST) | 18:00 | 21:00 | 00:00+1 |
| Dubai (GST) | 20:00 | 23:00 | 02:00+1 |
| Sydney (AEST) | 02:00+1 | 05:00+1 | 08:00+1 |
| Auckland (NZST) | 04:00+1 | 07:00+1 | 10:00+1 |
For Australian Viewers
Most group stage matches will kick off between 2am and 8am AEST — meaning late night and early morning viewing. The knockout matches, particularly semi-finals and the Final, may fall in more reasonable hours depending on the specific kick-off time selected by FIFA.
SBS broadcasts World Cup matches free in Australia. SBS On Demand streams online for free with an account. Set your alarm — these matches are worth losing sleep over.
Best Matches to Watch Live
Prioritize the Final (July 19), both semi-finals (July 23-24), and the Brazil vs France group stage match. For Australians, check if these fall in the 6pm-8pm AEST window — if so, clear your schedule completely.
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