What Time is the World Cup 2026 Final? Kickoff Time by Country
The World Cup 2026 final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET today, Sunday, July 19, 2026, with Spain facing Argentina for the trophy. The venue is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which FIFA calls New York New Jersey Stadium during the tournament.
Bottom line: this page gives you the exact kickoff time in your country, the confirmed Spain vs Argentina matchup, and the full match day schedule, all in one place. Find your city in the table below and you are ready.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at a Glance:
| Match | Spain vs Argentina |
| Date | Sunday, July 19, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM ET (EDT) |
| Venue | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey |
| FIFA venue name | New York New Jersey Stadium |
| Capacity | 82,500 |
| Host country | United States |
Who is Playing in the World Cup 2026 Final?
Spain face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 final. Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinals, while Argentina edged England 2-1. The matchup brings together the reigning European champions and the defending world champions, and puts Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi on the same stage for the biggest prize in football.
For team news, predicted lineups, and the head to head record, read our full Spain vs Argentina World Cup final preview.
What Time is the World Cup 2026 Final in Your Country?
The final starts at 3:00 PM ET. That is 7:00 PM UTC. Below are local kickoff times for more than 45 countries and cities. Find yours, and watch the date if you live in Asia or Oceania, because the match starts in the early hours of Monday, July 20, your local time.
| Country / City | Local Kickoff Time | Time Zone | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (New York) | 3:00 PM | EDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| United States (Chicago) | 2:00 PM | CDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| United States (Denver) | 1:00 PM | MDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| United States (Los Angeles) | 12:00 PM | PDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Canada (Toronto) | 3:00 PM | EDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Canada (Vancouver) | 12:00 PM | PDT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Mexico (Mexico City) | 1:00 PM | CST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Colombia (Bogota) | 2:00 PM | COT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Peru (Lima) | 2:00 PM | PET | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Ecuador (Quito) | 2:00 PM | ECT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Brazil (Sao Paulo) | 4:00 PM | BRT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Argentina (Buenos Aires) | 4:00 PM | ART | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Uruguay (Montevideo) | 4:00 PM | UYT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| United Kingdom (London) | 8:00 PM | BST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Ireland (Dublin) | 8:00 PM | IST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | 8:00 PM | WEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Spain (Madrid) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| France (Paris) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Germany (Berlin) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Italy (Rome) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Netherlands (Amsterdam) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Belgium (Brussels) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Croatia (Zagreb) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Norway (Oslo) | 9:00 PM | CEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Ghana (Accra) | 7:00 PM | GMT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Morocco (Casablanca) | 8:00 PM | +01 | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Nigeria (Lagos) | 8:00 PM | WAT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| South Africa (Johannesburg) | 9:00 PM | SAST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Egypt (Cairo) | 10:00 PM | EEST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Kenya (Nairobi) | 10:00 PM | EAT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Turkey (Istanbul) | 10:00 PM | TRT | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | 10:00 PM | AST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Qatar (Doha) | 10:00 PM | AST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Iran (Tehran) | 10:30 PM | IRST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| UAE (Dubai) | 11:00 PM | GST | Sun, Jul 19 |
| Pakistan (Karachi) | 12:00 AM | PKT | Mon, Jul 20 |
| India (New Delhi) | 12:30 AM | IST | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Bangladesh (Dhaka) | 1:00 AM | BST | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Thailand (Bangkok) | 2:00 AM | ICT | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Indonesia (Jakarta) | 2:00 AM | WIB | Mon, Jul 20 |
| China (Beijing) | 3:00 AM | +08 | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Singapore | 3:00 AM | SGT | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) | 3:00 AM | MYT | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Philippines (Manila) | 3:00 AM | PHT | Mon, Jul 20 |
| South Korea (Seoul) | 4:00 AM | KST | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 4:00 AM | JST | Mon, Jul 20 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 5:00 AM | AEST | Mon, Jul 20 |
When is the World Cup 2026 Final? Date and Day
The final is today, Sunday, July 19, 2026. It is the last of 104 matches at the first 48 team World Cup, which opened on June 11.
FIFA set the 3:00 PM ET start for a reason. It lands in prime time across Europe, where it is 8:00 PM in the UK and 9:00 PM in most of Central Europe. So the kickoff works well for the biggest viewing markets on both sides of the Atlantic.
Where is the World Cup 2026 Final Played?
The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 10 miles west of New York City. During the tournament, FIFA refers to it as New York New Jersey Stadium.
It is an open air stadium with a capacity of 82,500, the largest at the 2026 World Cup. That open roof matters in July, so keep reading for the weather note in the FAQ.
World Cup 2026 Final Match Day Schedule
FIFA has confirmed the full match day timeline at MetLife Stadium. Gates open four hours before kickoff, and the closing ceremony starts about 90 minutes before the match.
| Event | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Stadium parking opens | 10:00 AM |
| NJ Transit match day trains begin | 10:30 AM |
| Gates open | 11:00 AM |
| Closing ceremony | 1:30 PM |
| Kickoff | 3:00 PM |
| Halftime show | Around 3:50 PM |
| Trophy presentation | About 5:15 to 5:30 PM |
The closing ceremony features Post Malone, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini, and IShowSpeed, with a Tom Cruise appearance, and Jennifer Hudson sings the United States national anthem before kickoff.
Third Place Match Result: England 6-4 France
The third place playoff finished the day before the final. England beat France 6-4 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, a ten goal thriller that gave England the bronze.
| Match | Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third place playoff | Saturday, July 18, 2026 | England 6-4 France | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 Final
You have options. In most countries, a national broadcaster carries the final live on TV, and many also offer a streaming app. In the United States, Fox airs the final in English, while Telemundo and Universo carry the Spanish language broadcast. In the UK, the BBC and ITV show every match free to air. FIFA also streams the opening 10 minutes of every match free on YouTube worldwide.
For the full country by country list of channels and streaming services, use our dedicated how to watch guide. This page is built for the time, so we keep the viewing details short here.
How to Get World Cup 2026 Final Tickets?
Final tickets were sold through FIFA.com using dynamic pricing, so the cost moved with demand. Prices ranged from around 2,030 dollars for the cheapest category up to about 32,970 dollars for the top tier, plus a 15 percent service fee. On match day, the official FIFA resale marketplace is the only safe route for last minute seats.
For the full breakdown of categories, pricing, and buying steps, see our complete World Cup 2026 final tickets guide.
World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show
The 2026 final features the first halftime show in World Cup final history, starting around 3:50 PM ET during an extended interval. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS co-headline the performance, with Burna Boy, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus also on the bill, all curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The show supports the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, so the biggest match of the tournament comes with a stage moment to match.
For the full lineup, set time, and what to expect, read our complete World Cup 2026 final halftime show guide.
FAQ About the World Cup 2026 Final Time
Who is playing in the World Cup 2026 final?
Spain face Argentina in the World Cup 2026 final at MetLife Stadium. Spain beat France 2-0 in the semifinals, and Argentina beat England 2-1. Kickoff is 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
What time do gates open at MetLife Stadium for the final?
Gates at MetLife Stadium open at 11:00 AM ET on final day, four hours before the 3:00 PM ET kickoff. Stadium parking opens at 10:00 AM and NJ Transit match day trains begin around 10:30 AM. Arrive early, because security lines for a final are long.
How long does the World Cup final last?
Plan for at least two hours of football. A match runs 90 minutes plus stoppage time, with a halftime break extended beyond the usual 15 minutes for the halftime show. A level final adds 30 minutes of extra time, and possibly a penalty shootout after that. With the show and trophy presentation, budget close to three hours at the stadium.
What time is the World Cup 2026 final halftime show?
The halftime show starts around 3:50 PM ET, as soon as the first half ends. Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira, and BTS co-headline a performance of about 11 minutes curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, with Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel, and the PS22 Chorus also performing.
What time is the trophy presentation after the final?
The trophy lift happens shortly after the final whistle, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino presenting on the pitch. If the match ends near 5:00 PM ET with no extra time, expect the presentation around 5:15 to 5:30 PM ET. Extra time or penalties push it later. Stay in your seat, because the celebration is worth the wait.
Will the World Cup 2026 final go into extra time?
Only if the score is level after 90 minutes. The final cannot end in a draw, so a tied match goes to 30 minutes of extra time, split into two 15 minute halves. If it is still level, a penalty shootout decides the champion. Several past finals have needed extra time or penalties.
Can you watch the World Cup 2026 final for free?
It depends on your country. Several nations carry the final on free to air television, so check your national broadcaster first. In the United States, Fox has the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish one. FIFA also streams the opening 10 minutes of every match free on YouTube worldwide, so your cheapest legal option is usually local free to air.
Will it be hot at the World Cup 2026 final?
Likely yes. MetLife Stadium is open air, and mid July in East Rutherford runs warm. The long term average at 3:00 PM ET on July 19 sits around 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 Celsius), with a RealFeel near 89 degrees. If you are attending, plan for sun and heat: bring water, sunscreen, and light clothing.
Final Word on the World Cup 2026 Final Time
The World Cup 2026 final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET today, Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, with Spain and Argentina meeting for the trophy. Use the table above to find your local kickoff time, tune in early for the closing ceremony at 1:30 PM ET, and stay for the halftime show and the trophy lift. Enjoy the biggest match in football.
