The FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway on Maldives Time (UTC+5), nine hours ahead of US Eastern Time, so almost every match kicks off late at night or in the early hours across the islands. The tournament runs through to the final on July 19, 2026, with 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Here is how the standard kick-off slots convert to Maldives Time, plus the key dates so you can plan your late-night viewing.
Maldives Time and the World Cup time difference
The Maldives keeps Maldives Time (UTC+5) all year and does not observe daylight saving time. The US and Canada are on summer (daylight saving) time during the tournament.
Because matches are played in the North American afternoon and evening, they land deep in the Maldivian night and early morning.
| Host time zone (host cities) | Maldives Time is ahead by |
|---|---|
| US Eastern, EDT (New York/New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto) | 9 hours |
| US Central, CDT (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City) | 10 hours |
| Mexico, CST (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) | 11 hours |
| US/Canada Pacific, PDT (Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Vancouver) | 12 hours |
World Cup 2026 kick-off times in the Maldives
The official schedule lists match times in US Eastern Time. Add nine hours to any Eastern kick-off to get your local time.
- 12:00 PM ET → 9:00 PM Maldives Time (same day)
- 3:00 PM ET → 12:00 AM (midnight) Maldives Time (next day)
- 6:00 PM ET → 3:00 AM Maldives Time (next day)
- 9:00 PM ET → 6:00 AM Maldives Time (next day)
Central-zone matches land an hour later in the Maldives, those in Mexico two hours later, and Pacific-coast matches three hours later. In practice, the games fall roughly between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM Maldives Time, with the marquee evening fixtures clustering in the small hours.
Key World Cup 2026 dates in the Maldives
This is the first 48-team World Cup, adding a Round of 32 before the familiar knockout rounds. The dates below follow the host-country calendar; an evening match in North America usually falls in the early hours of the next day in the Maldives.
| Stage | Dates (host countries) |
|---|---|
| Group stage | June 11–27, 2026 |
| Round of 32 | June 28 – July 3, 2026 |
| Round of 16 | July 4–7, 2026 |
| Quarter-finals | July 9–11, 2026 |
| Semi-finals | July 14–15, 2026 |
| Third-place play-off | July 18, 2026 |
| Final | July 19, 2026 |
The final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey kicks off at 3:00 PM US Eastern Time on Sunday, July 19 — 12:00 AM (midnight) Maldives Time, the early hours of Monday, July 20. For every fixture with exact local times, see Wego’s FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule guide.
Watching the matches in the Maldives
Coverage is free and nationwide: the national broadcaster, Public Service Media (PSM), is airing all 104 matches at no cost. Our guide to watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 for free in the Maldives covers the channels and the PSM portal. For premium extras such as 4K or multi-language commentary, beIN Sports carries the full tournament across the region.
Traveling for the tournament? Compare flights to Malé and check live status at Velana International Airport (MLE), then browse hotels and resorts across the Maldives — many island properties run match screenings at the bar, poolside, or on the beach. Wego also has kick-off guides for India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Sources
- FIFA — World Cup 2026 match schedule and fixtures
- Al Jazeera — World Cup 2026 full match schedule and start times
- Maaldif — PSM expands free nationwide World Cup access for Maldivian viewers
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
