Time Zone Link
World CupJapanKoreaKickoff times

World Cup 2026 Kickoff Times in Japan and Korea (JST/KST)

By · Editor, Time Zone Link5 min read

Japan (JST) and South Korea (KST) share UTC+9 — 13 to 17 hours ahead of the 2026 World Cup host cities. Kickoffs in Tokyo and Seoul, and which matches are watchable in prime time.

Quick answer: Japan (JST) and South Korea (KST) are both on UTC+9, no DST. Most World Cup 2026 matches kick off between 01:00 and 13:00 JST/KST the following day.

Standard slots in JST/KST

  • Final 15:00 EDT, New Jersey → 04:00 JST/KST, 20 July 2026
  • 12:00 New York (EDT) → 01:00 JST/KST (next day)
  • 15:00 New York → 04:00 JST/KST (next day)
  • 21:00 New York → 10:00 JST/KST (next day)
  • 21:00 Los Angeles (PDT) → 13:00 JST/KST (next day)

Related

Frequently asked

Are JST and KST the same time?
Yes — Japan Standard Time and Korea Standard Time are both UTC+9 year-round with no daylight saving.
What time is the World Cup 2026 final in Tokyo?
04:00 JST on Monday 20 July 2026 — that's 15:00 EDT at MetLife Stadium on the Sunday afternoon in New York.

Keep reading