FIFA World Cup 2026: Historic 48-team tournament to kick off on June 11
By Nawaz Gohar ; The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to commence on June 11, 2026. This edition will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams. For the first time, the global event will be jointly hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Match Timings and Schedule
Due to the various time zones across North America, opening matches (starting June 11) are expected to air late at night or during the early morning hours in Pakistan. Generally, most matches will be broadcast in Pakistan between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, though some fixtures may take place in the early evening.
Group Stage: Scheduled from June 11 to June 27, featuring multiple matches daily as 48 teams compete for a spot in the next round.
Knockout Rounds: The Round of 32 and Round of 16 will take place from June 28 to July 7.
Final Stages: The Quarter-finals are scheduled for July 9–11, followed by the Semi-finals on July 14 and 15.
The Grand Finale: The third-place play-off will be held on July 18, while the World Cup Final is set for July 19, 2026.
While FIFA has confirmed the dates, the exact kick-off times (hour and minute) for each match have not yet been released. Historically, FIFA finalizes the precise schedule 4 to 6 months prior to the tournament.
It is expected that the final timetable will be available between December 2025 and February 2026. Once released, a complete schedule tailored to Pakistan Standard Time (PST) will be prepared to help local fans follow every match with ease.
