England’s 2026 World Cup campaign will involve some of the most demanding travel of any major nation after FIFA officially confirmed the venues and kick-off times for next summer’s group-stage matches. Thomas Tuchel’s side drawn against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L will play in three different cities across the United States during the opening phase of the tournament.
England’s Group-Stage Schedule: Dallas → Boston → New York
England will open their World Cup in Texas, facing Croatia on June 17 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, a venue known for its size, enclosed dome, and impressive match-day spectacle. The game is scheduled for 9pm GMT, offering a favourable viewing time for supporters back home.
After the opener, Tuchel’s squad will travel over 1,500 miles to Foxborough, near Boston, where they meet Ghana at the Gillette Stadium home to the New England Patriots again at 9pm GMT.
Their final Group L match comes on June 27 at the MetLife Stadium in New York, kicking off at 10pm GMT. Despite being one of the tournament’s premier venues including host of the World Cup final the stadium is not air-conditioned, meaning England could face temperatures exceeding 30°C for the late-June fixture. The venue has previously experienced weather disruption, including lightning delays that forced fans to shelter indoors during last year’s Club World Cup.
Unusual Schedule: Slow Start, Potentially Intense Finish
England’s itinerary stands out for its uneven pacing. During the tournament’s first 12 days, the Three Lions will play just once. But should they top Group L, they could be forced into a demanding run of four knockout matches in only 13 days.
If England finish first, the last-32 tie would take place in Atlanta on July 1 (5pm GMT). Their projected knockout path could then include:
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Last-16: a meeting with co-hosts Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium—the site of Maradona’s “Hand of God”—with a 1am GMT kick-off.
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Quarter-final: a potential clash with Brazil in Miami, kicking off at 10pm GMT, should both nations advance according to seeding.
Tuchel acknowledged the difficulty of the assignment, describing Croatia and Ghana as experienced World Cup nations and warning against underestimating Panama. He stressed that England must aim to win the group to avoid tougher scheduling later.
Scotland’s Challenging Route: Late-Night UK Kick-Offs and Brazil in Miami
Scotland face their own set of obstacles. Steve Clarke’s side begin their tournament with a 2am GMT match against Haiti, followed by 11pm kick-offs against Morocco and five-time champions Brazil.
Their first two games will be played in Massachusetts before a long trip down the East Coast to Miami, where they will face Brazil in what is likely to be one of the marquee fixtures of the entire group stage.
Semi-Final and Final Venues Confirmed
FIFA also confirmed the later-stage venues. Dallas will host the first semi-final on July 14 (7pm GMT), while the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will stage the second semi-final on July 15 (8pm GMT). The final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York.