FIFA has officially unveiled the complete match schedule for the 2026 World Cup, setting the stage for the historic tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The announcement provides clarity for fans of England and Scotland, revealing the exact dates, kick-off times, and venues for their group stage campaigns.
England's Route Through Group L
England will begin their quest for glory against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, 17 June, with a 9pm UK time kick-off. This high-profile opener sets the tone for a challenging group. Manager Thomas Tuchel's side then face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, 23 June, also at 9pm UK time. The Three Lions conclude their Group L fixtures against Panama in New York on Saturday, 27 June, with a later 10pm UK start.
Following Friday's draw, Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of the task ahead. He highlighted Croatia as a particularly tough opening opponent, describing them as the standout name and the highest-ranked team from Pot 2. The German coach emphasised the importance of navigating the group stage successfully, stating his desire to win the group and warning against underestimating any opponent.
Scotland's Daunting World Cup Return
Scotland, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998, will kick off their campaign in the early hours of Sunday, 14 June against Haiti in Boston (2am UK time). Steve Clarke's men then take on Morocco in Boston on Thursday, 18 June at 11pm UK time. Their group stage concludes with a mouth-watering clash against football giants Brazil in Miami on Wednesday, 24 June, also at 11pm UK time.
Manager Steve Clarke found positives in drawing teams from different continents, stating it felt like a true World Cup. He noted the strange coincidence of facing two nations—Brazil and Morocco—that Scotland also played at the 1998 tournament in France.
Knockout Stage Possibilities and Fan Information
The path beyond the group stage presents intriguing possibilities. Should England top Group L, they could face a formidable route to the final that might include co-hosts Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. The eventual final could see a rematch of the Euro 2024 final, with either France or Spain as potential opponents.
For Scotland, the challenge is significant as a Pot 3 team, but the expanded format offers a lifeline: the eight best third-placed teams from the twelve groups will also progress to the knockout phase.
All kick-off times are listed in British Summer Time (BST), crucial information for fans planning to follow the action from the UK. The tournament promises a festival of football across North America, with British hopes resting on the performances of both home nations.
