What Time Does The World Cup 2026 Start

By Soccer Schedule Team | Last updated: April 28, 2026

What Time Does World Cup 2026 Start?

The World Cup 2026 starts on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The tournament opens with Mexico playing South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the official opening match kicks off at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

World Cup 2026 Start Date and Time

If you are wondering what time World Cup 2026 starts, here is the opening match information:

Date: June 11, 2026
Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa
Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Location: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

FIFA’s official schedule confirms that the tournament begins on June 11 and the published match schedule lists the first match at 15:00 ET.

Opening Match Time in Different Time Zones

The opening match starts at different local times depending on where you live. Based on the 3:00 PM Eastern Time kickoff, here are a few common conversions:

Atlantic Time: 4:00 PM
Central Time: 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:00 PM
UK Time: 8:00 PM
India Time: 12:30 AM on June 12

If you want to check your own local kickoff time, use the Match Time Converter Tool.

When Does the Full Tournament Begin?

The first whistle of the tournament is on June 11, 2026, and the competition runs through to the final on July 19, 2026. World Cup 2026 will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Where Can You See the Full Schedule?

You can view the full tournament schedule by timezone here:

Printable Schedule and Bracket

If you want a version you can print or track by hand, these pages will help:

More Helpful World Cup 2026 Guides

Final Thoughts

If you have been asking what time does World Cup 2026 start, the answer is simple: the tournament begins on June 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time with Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico City.

Check the full schedule in your timezone and use the converter tool so you do not miss kickoff.