The World Cup final will take place at 3pm (ET) at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026, FIFA confirmed, in a move that will renew tensions over player welfare and commercial priorities.

FIFA announced the start times for the tournament’s 104 matches on Saturday, a day after the draw for the expanded 48-nation tournament to be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The kickoff time allows for prime-time viewing in Europe, where it will be 9 p.m., and Britain, where it will be 8 p.m.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage has been mapped out during a dazzling Final Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

2025 has already delivered a feast of football matches that combine high stakes, end-to-end action and memorable moments. Football is the most globally watched sport for a reason, and the best matches prove it. Here we pick out four games which stand out ...