Group Stage Overview
The tournament begins with 12 groups featuring top teams from around the world. Here is the full breakdown:
Group A
Mexico
South Africa
Korea Republic
Czechia
Group B
Canada
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland
Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland
Group D
USA
Paraguay
Australia
Türkiye
Group E
Germany
Curacao
Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador
Group F
Netherlands
Japan
Sweden
Tunisia
Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand
Group H
Spain
Cabo Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay
Group I
France
Senegal
Iraq
Norway
Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Group K
Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Group L
England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama
World Cup 2026 Match Kick-Off Times (UAE)
Below is the full match schedule with UAE timings.
Thursday, June 11
Match 1: Mexico vs South Africa
Kick-off: 11:00 PM (UAE)
Friday, June 12
Match 2: South Korea vs Czechia — 6:00 AM
Match 3: Canada vs Bosnia — 11:00 PM
Saturday, June 13
Match 4: USA vs Paraguay — 5:00 AM
Match 8: Qatar vs Switzerland — 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 14
Match 5: Haiti vs Scotland — 5:00 AM
Match 6: Australia vs Türkiye — 8:00 AM
Match 7: Brazil vs Morocco — 2:00 AM
Match 10: Germany vs Curacao — 9:00 PM
Monday, June 15
Match 11: Netherlands vs Japan — 12:00 AM
Match 12: Sweden vs Tunisia — 6:00 AM
Match 14: Spain vs Cape Verde — 8:00 PM
Match 16: Belgium vs Egypt — 11:00 PM
Tuesday, June 16
Match 13: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — 2:00 AM
Match 17: France vs Senegal — 11:00 PM
Wednesday, June 17
Match 18: Iraq vs Norway — 2:00 AM
Match 19: Argentina vs Algeria — 5:00 AM
Match 23: Portugal vs DR Congo — 9:00 PM
Thursday, June 18
Match 22: England vs Croatia — 12:00 AM
Match 24: Uzbekistan vs Colombia — 6:00 AM
Match 25: Czechia vs South Africa — 8:00 PM
Match 26: Switzerland vs Bosnia — 11:00 PM
Knockout Stage Matches
Quarter Finals
July 10–12, 2026
Matches 97–100
Semi Finals
July 14–15, 2026
Matches 101–102
3rd Place Match
July 19, 2026 — 1:00 AM (UAE)
Match 103
Final
July 19, 2026 — 11:00 PM (UAE)
Match 104
Why UAE Fans Should Prepare for Late Nights
With multiple matches scheduled late at night and early morning UAE time, fans will need to adjust sleep schedules. However, the excitement of the tournament ensures packed cafés, fan zones, and live screenings across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Where to Watch in the UAE
- Dubai Fan Zones (JBR, Palm Jumeirah)
- Abu Dhabi Corniche Screens
- Sports bars across Dubai Marina & Downtown
