The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest edition of the tournament ever held, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host countries.
If you want to know when it starts, when the final is scheduled, and how you’ll be able to watch it, here’s a clear breakdown of everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament will be hosted across:
When is the 2026 World Cup?
The tournament will take place during the summer of 2026.
Start date: 11 June 2026
Final: 19 July 2026
It will run for around five and a half weeks, reflecting the expanded 48-team format and increased number of matches compared to previous World Cups.
How is the tournament structured?
- Group Stage
- Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Final
With 48 teams taking part for the first time, the tournament will feature more matches, which means more betting options both before and during the tournament.
Match times
Because the tournament will be held in North America, kick-off times for viewers in Europe (including Ireland) will often fall outside traditional European evening slots. Matches are expected to take place at:
- Afternoon hours (17:00, 18:00)
- Evening hours (20:00, 21:00, 22:00, 23:00, 00:00)
- Late night and early morning hours (00:30, 01:00, 02:00, 03:00, 04:00, 05:00)
2026 World Cup: Broadcast channel
All matches of the 2026 World Cup will be broadcast live on RTÉ. RTÉ Player will stream matches live online (phone, laptop, smart TV apps).
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 World Cup
When does the group stage start?
It begins on 11 June 2026, the opening day of the tournament.
When is the final of the 2026 World Cup?
The final will be played on 19 July 2026.
Will the format change compared to 2022?
Unlike the 2022 tournament in Qatar, which featured 32 teams, the 2026 World Cup will expand to 48 teams.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest and most globally ambitious edition in the tournament’s history, with more matches than ever before and a wider international reach.
