The anticipation for the 2026 World Cup is building, especially after the draw. We now have a clear picture of when and where each game will take place. However, one aspect that has caught everyone's attention is the variety of kick-off times, with some games starting as early as 05:00 BST.
In total, there are thirteen different kick-off times for this tournament. This wide range may seem unusual but it's primarily due to geographical factors and considerations for player welfare.
North America is vast, spanning four time zones across three countries. The World Cup will be hosted in sixteen cities located up to 2,800 miles apart. This geographical spread adds a layer of complexity when deciding on suitable kick-off times.
Player welfare and audience consideration
FIFA stated that they chose these varied start times to "optimise welfare conditions for players and supporters". They also wanted to ensure that fans worldwide could follow their teams across different time zones. Consequently, European viewers might find some games kicking off from midnight onwards due to their location.
For example, all five group-stage matches in Kansas City are scheduled to take place during what would be the middle of the night for UK viewers. Similarly, the San Francisco Bay Area is set to host two games that will kick off at 05:00 BST. Additionally, both Vancouver in Canada and Guadalupe in Mexico will also be hosting games that start at this early hour.
In total, nearly half of the group-stage fixtures (35 out of 72) will commence between midnight and early morning UK time.
Key matches & timings
Despite these unusual timings, football enthusiasts won't want to miss any action - particularly those involving England or Scotland:
England - Group L Fixtures
- Wed., June 17th vs Croatia - Dallas (22:00 BST, 15:00 local)
- Tue., June 23rd vs Ghana - Boston (21:00 BST, 16:00 local)
- Sat., June 27th vs Panama - New Jersey (22:00 BST, 17:00 local)
Scotland - Group C Fixtures
- Sun., June 14th vs Haiti - Boston (02:00 BST, 21:00 local)
- Fri., June 19th vs Morocco - Boston (23:00 BST,18:00 local)
- Wed., June 24th vs Brazil - Miami (23:00 BST,18:00 local)
The World Cup is a global event that brings together nations from different time zones and geographical locations. While the variety of kick-off times for the upcoming tournament may seem challenging for some fans to navigate initially, it's a necessary measure to ensure player welfare and accommodate global viewership.
