The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026. This is the complete tournament schedule — every phase, key dates, and what you need to know to follow England’s journey.
2026 World Cup Full Tournament Schedule
| Stage | Dates (US local time) | UK time (BST) | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | 11 Jun – 2 Jul | Evenings / late night | 72 games |
| Round of 32 | 5 – 8 Jul | 20:00–02:00 BST | 16 games |
| Round of 16 | 10 – 13 Jul | 20:00–02:00 BST | 8 games |
| Quarter-finals | 14 – 15 Jul | 01:00–02:00 BST | 4 games |
| Semi-finals | 17 – 18 Jul | 01:00–02:00 BST | 2 games |
| Third-place play-off | 18 Jul | 01:00 BST | 1 game |
| Final | 19 Jul | 01:00 BST | 1 game |
2026 World Cup Groups Overview
Group L: England’s Path to the Knockout Stage
| Team | Outright odds | Key players | Threat level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏴 England | 6.0–7.5 | Kane, Bellingham, Saka | — |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | 80–120 | Modric, Kovačić | ⚠️ High |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | 200+ | Kudus | Medium |
| 🇵🇦 Panama | 500+ | — | Low |
England’s draw is one of the most favourable for any top team. Croatia are the only side with genuine upset potential — Modric and Kovačić could make England’s midfield uncomfortable. Ghana (Kudus) and Panama represent manageable opposition.
The Other Groups Worth Watching
| Group | Favourite | Must-watch game |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | 🇫🇷 France | France vs Norway (Mbappé vs Haaland) |
| Group H | 🇪🇸 Spain | Spain vs Uruguay |
| Group J | 🇦🇷 Argentina | Messi’s opening match |
| Group D | 🇺🇸 USA | USA home opener — biggest dark horse game |
| Group K | 🇵🇹 Portugal | Ronaldo’s 6th World Cup |
England’s Potential Path to the Final
- Round of 32 : England top Group L, face the 3rd-placed team from Group J/K/L bracket
- Round of 16 : Likely vs a South American or African side
- Quarter-final : Potential France or Brazil clash
- Semi-final : AI gives England a 23% chance of reaching the semis
- Final : 19 July 2026, MetLife Stadium — England’s best chance in 60 years
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup in the UK
| Channel | Cost | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| BBC One | Free (licence fee) | BBC iPlayer (free) |
| ITV | Free | ITVX (free) |
📺 All England matches will be on free-to-air TV — no subscription needed. Every England game at the World Cup must be shown on free channels by UK law.
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Get Expert PredictionsFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the 2026 World Cup start and end?
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on 11 June 2026 and concludes with the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams, split into 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group, plus the 8 best third-placed teams (32 in total), advance to the round of 32.
What group is England in at the 2026 World Cup?
England are in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. England are clear favourites to qualify comfortably from this group.
What time do 2026 World Cup games kick off in the UK?
With the USA Eastern timezone being 5 hours behind BST, a 3pm ET kickoff is 8pm UK time, while an 8pm ET game is 1am UK time. West Coast games (PT) are 8 hours behind BST — so a 3pm PT game is 11pm UK time.
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the UK?
All England games and the major matches will be shown live on BBC One and ITV, both free-to-air. Streaming is available via BBC iPlayer and ITVX at no extra cost.
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