The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off on 11 June and features 48 teams competing in 104 matches across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Fans will be able to follow the tournament through multiple broadcast and streaming platforms. Due to the time difference, many matches will be held late at night or early morning in India, making it challenging for football fans to follow live kick-offs.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Key Schedule in India
The key dates for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are as follows:
The tournament’s Group Stage runs from 12 June to 28 June 2026, where all participating teams compete in the opening round matches.
The Round of 32 takes place between 29 June and 4 July 2026, followed by the Round of 16 from 5 July to 8 July 2026, as the competition moves into the knockout phase.
The Quarter-finals are scheduled for 10 to 12 July 2026, bringing together the top eight teams.
Next, the Semi-finals will be played on 15 and 16 July 2026, deciding the finalists.
The Third-place match is set for 19 July 2026, and the tournament will conclude with the Final on 20 July 2026.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Groups
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
The group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 began on 12 June 2026 and continue until 28 June 2026 . Matches will be played every day across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For viewers in India, games are expected to fall into four main time slots: 9:30 PM, 12:30 AM, 3:30 AM, and 6:30 AM IST.
Round of 32 Schedule
The newly introduced Round of 32 will start on 29 June 2026 (IST) and conclude on 4 July 2026. This stage will feature 16 matches, with winners progressing to the Round of 16.
Round of 16 Schedule
The Round of 16 matches will be played from 5 July to 8 July 2026 (IST), narrowing the competition down to the top eight teams.
Quarter-final Schedule
The quarter-finals are set for 10 July to 12 July 2026. At this stage, only eight teams will remain in the race for the trophy.
Semi-final Schedule
The semi-finals will take place on 15 July and 16 July 2026, deciding which teams advance to the final and which compete in the third-place match.
Third-place Match
The bronze medal match will be held on 19 July 2026 .
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final
The final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled for 20 July 2026, with kick-off expected at 12:30 AM IST.
FIFA Live Streaming in India
Online Streaming OptionsFans who want to watch matches online can stream every game live on the Zee5 app and website. Access to the tournament will be available through Zee’s premium subscription plan.
TV Broadcast Details
For viewers who prefer watching on television, all matches will be aired on Zee’s newly launched Unite8 Sports network.
Channel Coverage and Commentary
Since multiple matches will be played at the same time during the group stage, broadcasts will be spread across four channels. Viewers will also have the option to choose between English and Hindi commentary.
Available TV Channels
Unite8 Sports 1
Unite8 Sports 1 HD
Unite8 Sports 2
Unite8 Sports 2 HD
