Here are the FIFA World Cup 2026 final kick-off times in India (IST), plus the third-place play-off, and how the semi-finals played out.
📅 Download the FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Schedule in India Time (PDF)
Get every knockout-stage fixture on one printable sheet, with kick-off times in India time (IST). Save it to your phone, print it, or share it with friends.
Semi-Final Results: 15-16 July 2026
| Match | Kick-Off (IST) |
|---|---|
| France 0-2 Spain (played) | 12:30 a.m., 15 Jul |
| England vs Argentina | 12:30 a.m., 16 Jul |
The Final, Third-Place Play-Off and How We Got Here — in IST
Spain are into the final after beating France 2-0 in Arlington, Texas — Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute and Pedro Porro added a second in the 58th. England and Argentina play the second semi-final in the early hours of Thursday 16 July IST (12:30 a.m.) to decide who joins Spain. The winner meets Spain in the final in New York/New Jersey; the loser plays France in the third-place play-off.
| Date (IST) | Match | Kick-Off (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 15 Jul | France 0-2 Spain (played) | 12:30 a.m. |
| Thu 16 Jul | England vs Argentina | 12:30 a.m. |
The tournament then builds to the third-place play-off and the final in New York/New Jersey.
| Stage | Date (IST) | Kick-Off (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Place Play-Off | 19 Jul | 2:30 a.m. |
| Final | 20 Jul | 12:30 a.m. |
The final is played on 19 July in New York/New Jersey, which is 12:30 a.m. IST on 20 July, a Monday morning in India.
How the Quarter-Finals Finished
The four quarter-finals in India time (IST) — all now played.
| Date (IST) | Match | Kick-Off (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 10 Jul | France 2-0 Morocco | 1:30 a.m. (played) |
| Sat 11 Jul | Spain 2-1 Belgium | 12:30 a.m. (played) |
| Sun 12 Jul | England 2-1 Norway | 2:30 a.m. (played) |
| Sun 12 Jul | Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET) | 6:30 a.m. (played) |
Watching the World Cup From India
Watching from the Gulf? A large share of Indian fans follow the World Cup from the GCC, where the same fixtures kick off earlier on the local clock. See local kick-off times for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
Prime-Time Games
The final kicks off at 12:30 a.m. IST — just after midnight in India, following the afternoon kick-off in North America.
Overnight Games
The closing rounds land in the small hours here, so set an alarm or plan a nap. Indian fans travelling to the tournament can compare flights from India on routes to New York and other host cities.
Where to stay: Heading to the tournament in person? Compare hotels in New York, hotels in Los Angeles and hotels in Dallas across the host cities.
Sources
- FIFA: World Cup 2026 Scores & Fixtures
- FIFA: World Cup 2026 Official Tournament Page
- FOX Sports: FIFA World Cup Schedule
Disclaimer: Match dates and kick-off times are subject to change by FIFA, and knockout-stage matchups are confirmed as each round progresses. All times shown are in local time unless stated otherwise. The featured image is for representation purposes only and is intended as a creative visual. It may not directly reflect the article content, match details, teams, venues, or supporters. Please verify all details against official FIFA sources before making any travel or viewing plans.
