
Fans of England and Scotland now know the exact venues and kick-off times for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The draw confirmed group-stage fixtures, with England receiving fan-friendly UK kick-off times, while Scottish supporters will face later viewing hours for their matches.
England’s 2026 World Cup Schedule
England has been drawn into Group L and will play all three matches in the United States.
- 17 June – England vs Croatia, 21:00 BST (Dallas, 15:00 local time, AT&T Stadium)
- 23 June – England vs Ghana, 21:00 BST (Boston, 16:00 local time)
- 27 June – England vs Panama, 22:00 BST (New Jersey, 17:00 local time, MetLife Stadium)
The opening match in Dallas will be played under a closed roof with air conditioning, as temperatures in Texas are expected to be extreme. The matches in Dallas and Boston will use temporary grass surfaces, as these stadiums typically operate with artificial turf.
Scotland’s 2026 World Cup Schedule
Scotland, competing in Group C, will face later kick-off times for UK viewers:
- 14 June – Scotland vs Haiti, 02:00 BST (Boston, 21:00 local time, Gillette Stadium)
- 19 June – Scotland vs Morocco, 23:00 BST (Massachusetts, 18:00 local time)
- 24 June – Scotland vs Brazil, 23:00 BST (Miami, 18:00 local time)
The Miami match against Brazil could see players contend with extreme heat and humidity, making preparation and hydration crucial.
Travel Distances for Fans
England fans face a gruelling travel schedule if they follow the team through to the final:
- Total distance if England wins Group L and reaches the final: 6,468.5 miles, nearly 19 hours of travel.
- Scotland supporters would travel 6,083.3 miles to reach the final if their team won the group, or 6,248 miles as group runners-up.
Other nations with extensive travel include Portugal (6,781.9 miles) and Spain (6,667.2 miles), while France (2,675 miles) and Mexico (3,199.7 miles) enjoy the shortest travel times.
Key Tournament Details
The 2026 World Cup will be the first 48-team tournament, with 104 matches across 16 cities, spanning four time zones and three countries. Mexico will host the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June at 20:00 BST, while the final on 19 July is scheduled for 20:00 BST, also in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
FIFA has carefully scheduled games after research highlighted extreme temperatures at 14 of the 16 stadiums. Measures include temporary grass surfaces, air-conditioned stadiums, and afternoon kick-offs in some locations to protect players.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was joined by World Cup legends Ronaldo, Francesco Totti, Hristo Stoichkov, and Alexi Lalas to unveil the tournament schedule.
UK Fans and Pub Hours
UK fans could enjoy extended pub hours, with venues potentially staying open until 01:00 BST if England or Scotland reach the quarter-finals. This comes after a government consultation aimed at supporting fans during the summer’s global sporting event.
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