The World Cup 2026 may be hosted far away, but fans in the UAE will be watching every moment live. From late-night clashes to early-morning thrillers, this is the complete match schedule in UAE time so you never miss a kick. Below you will find the full group breakdown, kick-off timings, knockout dates, and the best spots to catch the action across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Group Stage Overview
The tournament begins with 12 groups featuring top teams from around the world. Here is the full breakdown.
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
World Cup 2026 Match Kick-Off Times (UAE)
Below is the full match schedule with UAE timings.
Thursday, June 11
- Match 1: Mexico vs South Africa — 11:00 PM (UAE)
Friday, June 12
- Match 2: South Korea vs Czechia — 6:00 AM - Match 3: Canada vs Bosnia — 11:00 PM
Saturday, June 13
- Match 4: USA vs Paraguay — 5:00 AM - Match 8: Qatar vs Switzerland — 11:00 PM
Sunday, June 14
- Match 5: Haiti vs Scotland — 5:00 AM - Match 6: Australia vs Türkiye — 8:00 AM - Match 7: Brazil vs Morocco — 2:00 AM - Match 10: Germany vs Curacao — 9:00 PM
Monday, June 15
- Match 11: Netherlands vs Japan — 12:00 AM - Match 12: Sweden vs Tunisia — 6:00 AM - Match 14: Spain vs Cape Verde — 8:00 PM - Match 16: Belgium vs Egypt — 11:00 PM
Tuesday, June 16
- Match 13: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — 2:00 AM - Match 17: France vs Senegal — 11:00 PM
Wednesday, June 17
- Match 18: Iraq vs Norway — 2:00 AM - Match 19: Argentina vs Algeria — 5:00 AM - Match 23: Portugal vs DR Congo — 9:00 PM
Thursday, June 18
- Match 22: England vs Croatia — 12:00 AM - Match 24: Uzbekistan vs Colombia — 6:00 AM - Match 25: Czechia vs South Africa — 8:00 PM - Match 26: Switzerland vs Bosnia — 11:00 PM
Knockout Stage Matches
The drama intensifies once the group stage wraps up. Here are the key knockout dates in UAE time.
Quarter-Finals: July 10-12, 2026 (Matches 97-100)
Semi-Finals: July 14-15, 2026 (Matches 101-102)
3rd Place Match: July 19, 2026 — 1:00 AM (UAE), Match 103
Final: July 19, 2026 — 11:00 PM (UAE), Match 104
Why UAE Fans Should Prepare for Late Nights
With multiple matches scheduled late at night and early in the morning UAE time, fans will need to adjust their sleep schedules. The trade-off is worth it, though. The excitement of the tournament ensures packed cafés, fan zones, and live screenings across Dubai and Abu Dhabi throughout the competition.
Where to Watch in the UAE
- Dubai fan zones (JBR, Palm Jumeirah) - Abu Dhabi Corniche screens - Sports bars across Dubai Marina and Downtown
