The World Cup finals are set to commence on July 19 at 3:00 PM ET at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA revealed the kickoff times for all 104 matches on Saturday, right after the draw for the expanded tournament featuring 48 teams, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This start time is designed to attract a primetime audience in Europe, where it will be 9:00 PM, and 8:00 PM in the UK.
MetLife Stadium is an outdoor venue. Historical data from AccuWeather shows that the average temperature in East Rutherford on July 19 at 3:00 PM over the past three decades has been around 83°F (28°C), with a RealFeel temperature of 89°F (32°C). From 1978 to 2014, nine out of ten World Cup finals were held between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM EDT, with the only exception being the 2002 tournament in Japan, which started at 7:00 AM EDT. The finals in 2018 began at 11:00 AM ET, while in 2022 they were held at 10:00 AM ET during Qatar’s winter.
The 1994 finals at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena kicked off at 12:30 PM local time (3:30 PM EDT). FIFA carefully selected match dates and locations by considering travel logistics and broadcasting needs. Tournament chief Manolo Zubirria noted, “It was a long night, or a short night,” and explained that they aimed to find a balance between teams’ preparation and recovery amidst the unique conditions of this extensive tournament across 16 cities and three countries.
Zubirria mentioned the goals included minimizing team and fan travel and promoting the competition effectively worldwide, while making sure to coordinate kickoff times across different regions. Out of the matches, there will be 54 daytime games and 50 scheduled after 6:00 PM local time; 24 of the 32 knockout matches will be daytime games, including 14 of the final 16.
FIFPRO, the global players’ organization, warned in June that afternoon games in Kansas City, Missouri, and Miami Gardens, Florida, posed a “very high risk” for heat-related injuries, while venues in Foxborough, Guadalajara, and Philadelphia were similarly flagged. In Kansas City, all matches will occur at night, while Miami will host two games starting at 5:00 PM and five during nighttime hours.
The first match will feature Mexico against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City at 1:00 PM local time (3:00 PM EDT). Semifinal matches will be held on July 14 at 2:00 PM (3:00 PM ET) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and on July 15 at 3:00 PM at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, both equipped with retractable roofs.
Quarterfinal matches will kick off on July 9 at 4:00 PM at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and at noon (3:00 PM EDT) the following day at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The last two quarterfinal games will occur on July 11 at 5:00 PM in Miami and at 8:00 PM (9:00 PM ET) in Kansas City. Of the quarterfinal venues, SoFi has a roof but allows outside air, while the others are outdoor stadiums.
FIFA confirmed on February 4 last year that the final would take place in New Jersey, announcing on June 12 the new locations for the round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals. Of the 78 matches played in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host 13 games each.
FIFA also participated in an event at the Capital Hilton, where they finalized venues for 54 group stage matches that were undecided following the draw. South Korea, alongside Canada and Mexico, is the only team not playing any games in the U.S., opening against the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, or North Macedonia in Guadalajara, then battling El Tri at the same location and finishing against South Africa in Monterrey.
The United States will kick off its first-round games on June 12, facing Paraguay in Inglewood at 6:00 PM local time (9:00 PM ET), followed by a match against Australia in Seattle at noon (3:00 PM ET) a week later, and then meeting Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo on June 25 at SoFi Stadium, starting at 7:00 PM. Japan will make history with its match against Tunisia in Monterrey on June 20, marking the 1,000th World Cup match at 10:00 PM local time (midnight EDT).
Zubirria emphasized the necessity of ensuring that local residents remain informed about weather conditions during the event. Germany’s Group E match against Curaçao on June 14 will kick off at noon local time (1:00 PM ET) at NRG Stadium; Curaçao is the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup, with a population of about 150,000.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino assured that the indoor setting in Houston would protect against complaints about the weather. Canada is set to face Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, or Wales on June 12 in Toronto, followed by games against Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver. Canadian coach Jesse Marsh expressed excitement, saying, “Everything is looking in our favor. We’re excited to play at home. I wish it was tomorrow.”
Fan Take: This announcement is significant for soccer enthusiasts, as the World Cup represents the pinnacle of the sport and brings together nations in a celebration of athleticism and culture. The careful planning around match timings reflects FIFA’s commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for both players and fans, showcasing soccer’s growing global appeal.
