The FIFA World Cup final will commence at 3 p.m. EDT on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This timing is strategically chosen to provide prime-time viewing for European audiences, with the match set to air at 9 p.m. in central Europe and 8 p.m. in the United Kingdom. FIFA unveiled the kickoff times for all 104 matches in the tournament following the draw for the expanded 48-nation event.
The average temperature in East Rutherford on July 19 has historically been around 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), with a RealFeel index of 89 degrees (32 degrees), according to data from AccuWeather. This weather pattern is expected to create a comfortable environment for fans attending the match.
Historically, the majority of World Cup finals have started between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EDT. Notably, the only exception in recent years was the 2002 final in Japan, which kicked off at 7 a.m. EDT. The 2018 final took place at 11 a.m. EDT, while the 2022 championship, held in Qatar during winter, began at 10 a.m. EST. In contrast, the 1994 final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, started at 12:30 p.m. local time (3:30 p.m. EDT).
World Cup Schedule Highlights
The tournament will open on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City with a match between the host nation and South Africa, starting at 1 p.m. local time (3 p.m. EDT). Semifinal matches are scheduled for July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a kickoff at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT), and the following day at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, starting at 3 p.m. EDT. Both stadiums feature retractable roofs, ensuring optimal conditions for play.
FIFA previously announced that 78 matches will occur in the United States, including all games from the quarterfinals onward. Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each during the tournament.
The draw also revealed the venues for the 54 group stage matches. While specific matchups for Groups A, B, and D were finalized, details for other groups remain pending. South Korea is the only team, aside from the co-hosts Canada and Mexico, that will not play any games in the U.S. Their opener will take place in Guadalajara against either the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, or North Macedonia. Following this, they will face Mexico at the same venue and conclude the group stage against South Africa in Monterrey.
The United States’ opening match will be against Paraguay on June 12 at 6 p.m. local time (9 p.m. EDT) in Inglewood, California. They will also face Australia in Seattle on June 19 at noon (3 p.m. EDT), and conclude the first round on June 25 against one of the following teams: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo, starting at 7 p.m. local time.
As excitement builds for the World Cup, fans around the globe anticipate a thrilling tournament filled with competitive matches and unforgettable moments.
