2026 World Cup: FIFA Reveals Dates and Venues After Draw

FIFA Reveals Details of the 2026 World Cup Schedule

FIFA has confirmed the details of the match schedule for the next World Cup, which will be held next year. The live broadcast will take place 24 hours after Friday’s draw.

For the first time in a World Cup draw, the venues and kickoff times for the 104 matches will not be announced on the same day the groups are revealed. Instead, FIFA will place the matches in the best location according to the time zones, of which there are four for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The full schedule will be revealed at 12 p.m. EST (5 p.m. GMT). FIFA President Gianni Infantino will be joined on stage by “FIFA legends” to analyze the matches and provide analysis.

The match allocation process following the draw aims to ensure the best possible conditions for all teams and spectators, while, whenever possible, allowing fans around the world to watch their teams play live in different time zones.

FIFA

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The final version of the match schedule will be available in March, once the FIFA and European play-offs have taken place and the last six places have been filled. The World Cup draw on Friday will take place at 12 p.m. EST in Washington. Forty-eight teams, or placeholders considering the six that have play-offs to come in March, will be divided into four pots of 12 teams, using the latest FIFA World Ranking list. Each World Cup group will consist of one team from each pot.