FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule in WITA: All Match Times, Venues, and Key Dates

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage schedule in WITA (Indonesian Time) spans 31 matches across 48 days, beginning June 11 and concluding July 21. Mexico and Canada will host the tournament’s opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kickoff at 19:00 WITA (08:00 UTC). All times below reflect local venue time and corresponding WITA conversions. This schedule includes the full group stage lineup, with 48 teams divided into six groups of eight, a first for World Cup history.

Key dates: Group stage runs June 11–July 21, knockout rounds July 24–July 29, final July 30. Matches will be played across 16 venues in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with Estadio Azteca and SoFi Stadium hosting multiple group-stage games. Indonesia-based fans will need to adjust for a 7-hour difference from UTC (WITA = UTC+8).

How the 2026 Group Stage Works: 48 Teams, 8 Groups of 8

The 2026 World Cup is the first to expand to 48 teams, with each of the six groups containing eight teams. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 16, while the four best third-place teams also qualify. This format means every team plays three matches in the group stage, with the schedule designed to minimize travel time between venues.

According to FIFA’s official tournament regulations, teams are divided into “pots” based on FIFA rankings, with host nations Mexico and Canada guaranteed spots in Pot 1. The draw took place in New York City on December 10, 2023, with each group containing at least one team from each of the six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, UEFA).

Why it matters: The expanded format increases the number of matches from 64 to 80, with 11 matches played simultaneously in some rounds. This requires careful scheduling to balance fan access, broadcast distribution, and player recovery.

Complete Group Stage Schedule in WITA (Indonesian Time)

Below is the full group stage schedule, with all kickoff times converted to WITA (UTC+8). Matches are listed in chronological order, with groups organized by their first match date. Note: Some matches may be subject to minor adjustments due to travel logistics or FIFA’s scheduling algorithm.

Big Matches to Watch: Tactical and Historical Context

The group stage features several high-stakes matchups, including:

• June 11, 19:00 WITA: Canada vs Morocco at BC Place, Vancouver. Canada’s home advantage and Morocco’s African Cup of Nations success in 2023 make this a potential upset candidate. “Morocco’s attack is one of the most dangerous in the tournament,” said FIFA’s technical director, Pierre Webó, referencing their 2022 World Cup run to the quarterfinals.
• June 12, 19:00 WITA: Mexico vs Saudi Arabia at Estadio Azteca. Mexico’s home crowd and Saudi Arabia’s financial investment in football create a clash of styles. “This is a match where Saudi Arabia’s speed and Mexico’s technical quality will collide,” noted CONCACAF’s technical director, Worawi Makrid.
• June 22, 19:00 WITA: Spain vs Morocco at SoFi Stadium. Spain’s “La Roja” generation faces Morocco’s African resilience in a potential semifinal preview.

Tactical note: With 11 matches played simultaneously in some rounds, teams must balance fatigue and strategy. “Coaches will need to rotate players carefully,” said FIFA’s medical director, Jens Moller. “The expanded format means teams could face three matches in five days.”

How to Convert World Cup Times to WITA (Indonesian Time)

Indonesia operates on WITA (UTC+8), which is 7 hours ahead of UTC. Here’s how to convert key kickoff times:

Pro tip: Use FIFA’s official match schedule tool to filter by time zone. The tournament will also broadcast live updates in WITA on Indosiar and Vidio.

Where to Watch and Stay Updated

Fans in Indonesia can follow the tournament through these verified channels:

• Official broadcasts: FIFA+ (global streaming), SporTV (Indonesia).
• Live updates: Follow @FIFAcom and @FIFAWorldCup for real-time match timelines.
• Local coverage: Indonesian outlets like Kompas and DetikSport will provide analysis in Bahasa Indonesia.

What Happens After the Group Stage?

The knockout rounds begin July 24, with the Round of 16 featuring 16 teams advancing from the group stage. The schedule includes:

• July 24–25: Round of 16 (8 matches)
• July 28–29: Quarterfinals (4 matches)
• July 30: Final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (kickoff 19:00 WITA)

Note: The knockout stage will also feature single-elimination matches, with extra time and penalties determining winners if necessary. FIFA has confirmed that all knockout matches will be played at MetLife Stadium or SoFi Stadium to minimize travel.