World Cup 2026: England and Scotland learn kick-off times

The 2026 World Cup schedule for England and Scotland has been announced, with England set for all group games in the United States and Scotland competing in a mix of U.S. and Canadian venues. The timings favour UK viewers with evening starts, but they also promise long journeys for fans following their teams across North America.

When and where England and Scotland will play

All times are in British Summer Time (BST) unless stated otherwise.

England – Group L

21:00 BST on Wednesday 17 June v Croatia in Dallas (local time 15:00)

21:00 BST on Tuesday 23 June v Ghana in Boston (local time 16:00)

22:00 BST on Saturday 27 June v Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey (local time 17:00)

Scotland – Group C

02:00 BST on Sunday 14 June v Haiti in Boston (local time 21:00 on the previous day)

23:00 BST on Friday 19 June v Morocco in Boston (local time 18:00)

23:00 BST on Wednesday 24 June v Brazil in Miami (local time 18:00)

The venues and kick-off times were confirmed shortly after the group draw in Washington, with the 2026 edition hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States from 11 June to 19 July.

The opening match will see Mexico face South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June at 20:00 BST, kicking off a tournament that expands to 104 matches in 39 days.

The final is scheduled for 20:00 BST on 19 July, with the semi-finals in Dallas and Atlanta starting at the same local time.

The schedule also confirms that a potential home nation reaching the quarter-finals could prompt pubs in England and Wales to stay open until 01:00, following a government consultation on extending licensing hours.

The plan includes some notes on playing surfaces: the Dallas match will be played in a closed-roof stadium with air conditioning due to heat, while matches in Boston and elsewhere will use a temporary grass surface rather than the usual artificial turf.

Public travel distances matter for supporters: England could face significant miles if they progress to the final, while the routes for other nations will vary with their progression through the knockout rounds.

Should Wales or Northern Ireland progress via UEFA playoffs in March, their three group games would all kick off at 20:00 BST in North American venues—Canada (Toronto), United States (Los Angeles), and the Pacific Northwest (Seattle).

The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across 16 cities in North America, spanning four time zones. Officials have emphasised the need to avoid afternoon matches at many venues due to heat concerns.

Expert view

Expert note by INLIBER Sport writer Dale Johnson: the timetable is likely to demand long-distance travel and tight turnarounds for fans following the team across North America.

Summary

The official timetable confirms England's three group games in the United States, while Scotland competes in a mix of U.S. and Canadian venues with late BST starts. Heat considerations, temporary grass pitches, and travel distances are key factors for fans. If playoff teams join, they would also face evening starts around 20:00 BST. The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July across 16 cities in North America.

Key insight: The cross-border World Cup layout will push fans to undertake long travel and endure late kick-offs, shaping how supporters follow England and Scotland across North America. BBC Sport