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World Cup 2026 Opening Match Time by Country (Mexico City Kickoff)

By · Engineering contributor6 min read

The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on 11 June 2026. Here's the kickoff time in 30+ countries — UK, India, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Nigeria and more.

Quick answer: The opening match kicks off at 11:00 local time in Mexico City (UTC−6) on 11 June 2026, which is 17:00 UTC. Convert to your zone with our converter.

Opening kickoff in major countries

  • Mexico City — 11:00 (host)
  • Los Angeles — 10:00
  • New York / Toronto — 13:00
  • London — 18:00 (BST)
  • Madrid / Berlin / Paris — 19:00 (CEST)
  • Lagos / Cairo — 19:00 / 20:00
  • Johannesburg — 19:00 (SAST)
  • Dubai — 21:00
  • Mumbai / Delhi — 22:30 (IST)
  • Bangkok — 00:00 (12 June)
  • Singapore / Hong Kong — 01:00 (12 June)
  • Tokyo / Seoul — 02:00 (12 June)
  • Sydney — 03:00 AEST (12 June)
  • Auckland — 05:00 NZST (12 June)
  • São Paulo — 14:00 BRT

Related

Frequently asked

Where is the opening match of World Cup 2026?
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, on 11 June 2026. Mexico is the only country to have hosted three opening matches (1970, 1986, 2026).
What time does the opening match kick off in UTC?
17:00 UTC on 11 June 2026 — that's 11:00 in Mexico City (UTC−6, no DST).
Does Mexico observe DST during the World Cup?
No. Mexico abolished DST in most of the country in 2022, so Mexico City stays at UTC−6 through the tournament.

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