UK dates and kick-off times for every England fixture at FIFA World Cup 2026
Just over six months remain until the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and excitement is building all over the globe.The competition will be the biggest in World Cup history, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and is set to deliver a month-long football celebration on an unmatched scale.The Three Lions will arrive as one of the leading contenders - a label they have earned through their performances over the past year. Under Thomas Tuchel, England have looked assured, organised and ruthless when required.Their route through qualification was near perfect, winning all eight matches while not conceding a single goal. As the World Cup draws ever closer, focus will shift to how - and when - England can begin what they hope will be a historic push towards World Cup success. Here, MEN breaks down everything you need to know about the Three Lions' fixtures this summer.When are England's World Cup 2026 group games?England are in in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. All three group matches will be staged in the USA.Their first test comes against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match will begin at 9pm UK time.England then face Ghana on Tuesday, June 23, with that fixture taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Kick-off is again scheduled for 9pm UK time.The final group game sees England meet Panama on Saturday, June 27. That contest will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a 10pm UK start.England's group fixture list:England vs Croatia - June 17 - AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA - 9pmEngland vs Ghana - June 23 - Gillette Stadium, Massachusetts, USA - 9pmPanama vs England - June 27 - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA - 10pmEngland's knockout fixtures if they win their World Cup 2026 groupEngland's knockout path will vary greatly depending on their finishing position in Group L, with travel distances and opponents both affected. Because the tournament spans North America, the Three Lions may encounter a wide range of playing conditions - from the humidity of the American south and the high altitudes of Mexico City to the cooler climates of Toronto and Vancouver.Should England finish as group winners, they would play a third-placed team in the round of 32 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. That match would kick off at 12am UK time on Thursday, July 2.If they advance, England would move on to a round of 16 tie on Sunday, July 5, at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with an 11pm UK start. A quarter-final would then follow on Saturday, July 11, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, kicking off at 8pm UK time.Progress to the semi-finals would send England back to Atlanta for a match on Wednesday, July 15, also starting at 8pm UK time. The final will be held on Saturday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with kick-off set for 8pm UK time.England's route to the final if they top the group:Round of 32 - July 1 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA - 12am (July 2)Round of 16 - July 5 - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - 11pmQuarter-final - July 11 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA - 8pmSemi-final - July 15 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA - 8pmFinal - July 19 - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA - 8pmEngland's knockout fixtures if they finish second in their World Cup 2026 groupFinishing second in Group L would still be enough for England to progress into the knockout stages, although the road ahead would likely be more demanding. Their round of 32 fixture would come against the runners-up from Group K at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. That game would be played in the early hours of July 3, with kick-off at 1am UK time.A win would result in a round of 16 tie, likely against Spain, on Monday, July 6, at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Kick-off for UK viewers is scheduled for 10pm.If England reach the quarter-finals, they would compete at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday, July 10, with an 8pm UK start.A semi-final place would see the Three Lions return to AT&T Stadium on Tuesday, July 14, with kick-off at 1am UK time on Wednesday, July 15.England's route to the final if they finish runner-up:Round of 32 - July 2 - BMO Field, Toronto, Canada - 1am (July 3)Round of 16 - July 6 - AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA - 10pmQuarter-final - July 10 - SoFi Stadium, California, USA - 8pmSemi-final - July 14 - AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA - 1am (July 15)Final - July 19 - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA - 8pmSky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreSky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
