FIFA has unveiled the match schedule for next year’s World Cup, confirming that it will be available for live viewing 24 hours post the draw on Friday.
In a first for World Cup history, the locations and start times for all 104 matches won’t be revealed on the same day as the group selection. Instead, FIFA will assign matches to optimal venues according to time zones, with the tournament spanning four different time zones across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The complete schedule will be shared at 12:00 PM ET (5:00 PM Japan time), and FIFA president Gianni Infantino has announced the participation of “FIFA legends” who will join the event to analyze and discuss the matches.
On Monday, FIFA stated: “The process for allocating matches after the draw is designed to provide the best possible experience for teams and fans while allowing supporters worldwide to view their teams live across various time zones.”
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The finalized fixture schedule will be released in March, following the FIFA and European play-offs to fill the last six spots.
This Friday’s World Cup draw is set to occur in Washington at 12 PM ET.
Using the current FIFA World Rankings, the 48 teams—plus placeholders for the six teams competing in March’s playoffs—will be organized into four pots of 12, with each World Cup group containing one team from each pot.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it signifies the countdown to a globally unifying event, providing a glimpse into the exciting matchups to come. It also highlights FIFA’s commitment to accommodating fans worldwide, ensuring that everyone can immerse themselves in the thrill of the tournament regardless of location.
