The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially started in North America, with 48 teams and 104 matches. The massive tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Fans in India have to watch most games during late night and early morning hours due to the time difference. It’s the first time three nations have hosted a World Cup together, and it’s also introducing a brand-new knockout round.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Key Dates and Match Locations
The tournament began on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. For viewers in India, this match kicked off at 12:30 AM IST on 12 June. The competition lasts 39 days, making it the longest World Cup in history.
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The group stage takes place from 11 June to 27 June. Following this, the knockout stage begins on 28 June and ends with the final on 19 July. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hosts the championship final. This venue will use the name “New York New Jersey Stadium” during the tournament.
The New 48-Team Tournament Format
For the 2026 edition, FIFA expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams. Consequently, the tournament has 12 groups of 4 teams each. Each team plays three group stage matches in a round robin system. The top-two teams of each group qualify for the next round. The eight best third-placed teams from all groups also advance to the knockout rounds.
This expansion adds a new “Round of 32” stage for the first time. So the eventual champion has to win eight games instead of the usual seven to lift the trophy. Knockout stage matches are played single-elimination, with extra time and penalty shootouts if necessary if scores are level.
World Cup 2026 India Kick-Off Times and IST Schedule
Indian fans face a huge time difference to watch North American games. India is 9.5 to 12.5 hours ahead of the various host cities. Specifically, most matches fall into four primary time slots in Indian Standard Time (IST): 9:30 PM, 12:30 AM, 3:30 AM, and 6:30 AM.
Important Tournament Stages in IST
| Stage | Dates in IST |
| Group Stage | 12 June – 28 June |
| Round of 32 | 29 June – 4 July |
| Round of 16 | 5 July – 8 July |
| Quarter-finals | 10 July – 12 July |
| Semi-finals | 15 July – 16 July |
| Third-place Match | 19 July |
| World Cup Final | 20 July (12:30 AM IST) |
Meanwhile, the opening matches for the other two host nations also took place on 12 June (local time). Canada faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, while the United States played Paraguay in Los Angeles. These matches occurred on 13 June for fans watching in India.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in India
India will broadcast and stream the 2026 World Cup exclusively on Zee Entertainment. Fans will be able to watch the live action on the Unite8 Sports network. They have Hindi commentary on Unite8 Sports 1 and 1 HD and English Commentary on Unite8 Sports 2 and 2 HD.
For online viewers, the ZEE5 app and website stream all 104 matches live. ZEE5 offers two main subscription plans for the tournament. The three-month pack costs Rs 799 and allows viewing on three screens with ads. The annual pack costs Rs 1,699 and permits ad-free viewing on four screens. Moreover, DD Sports is telecasting the opening match, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final for free on DD Free Dish.
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