FIFA Announces New Match Schedule Rollout for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has officially confirmed the details regarding the match schedule rollout for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, with a live broadcast set to occur 24 hours after the draw on Friday.

In a notable change from previous tournaments, the venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches will not be disclosed on the same day as the group announcement. Instead, FIFA will strategically allocate the matches based on the four time zones applicable to the tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The complete schedule will be unveiled starting at 12 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT) on Saturday. FIFA has announced that President Gianni Infantino will be accompanied by FIFA legends on stage to discuss the game allocations and provide analysis.

FIFA stated, “The match allocation process following the draw aims to ensure optimal conditions for both teams and spectators, while also enabling fans worldwide to watch their teams play live across various time zones.”

The final version of the match schedule is expected to be available in March, following the FIFA and European playoffs, which will fill the last six slots in the tournament.

The World Cup draw is scheduled for Friday at 12 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C. A total of 48 teams, including placeholders for the six teams yet to qualify, will be categorized into four pots of 12, based on the latest FIFA World Rankings. Each World Cup group will consist of one team from each pot.