FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in Central Time (CT): Mexico Match Dates and Kick-Off Times

Last updated: Jun 25, 2026

Mexico won all three Group A games and finished top of the group at the FIFA World Cup 2026, sealing a Round of 32 place with a perfect record.

Here is Mexico’s full schedule (el calendario de México), the matches being hosted on Mexican soil, and what comes next in the knockouts — with kick-off times in local Mexico City time (CT, UTC−6).

Mexico’s Final Group Match

Mexico closed out Group A with a 3–0 win over Czechia on Wednesday, June 24, back at the Estadio Azteca where their campaign began.

The result completed a perfect group stage and confirmed top spot. Goals from Chávez, Quiñones and Fidalgo settled it.

Match Date Kick-off (CT) Venue
Czechia vs Mexico Wed, June 24 7:00 p.m. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

That 7:00 p.m. start applies right across Mexico — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey all share Central Time (UTC−6). For every Mexico fixture in local time, see our Mexico at the World Cup kick-off times guide.

Mexico’s Full Group A Schedule and Results

Mexico were drawn into Group A alongside South Africa, South Korea and Czechia. Three wins from three made them the first team to qualify for the knockouts.

How the group went

  • June 11 — Mexico 2–0 South Africa (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)
  • June 18 — Mexico 1–0 South Korea (Estadio Akron, Guadalajara)
  • June 24 — Mexico 3–0 Czechia (Estadio Azteca, Mexico City)

The opener at the Estadio Azteca was historic — it was the venue’s record third time hosting a World Cup curtain-raiser.

Date Match Kick-off (CT) Venue Result
Thu, June 11 Mexico vs South Africa 1:00 p.m. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Won 2–0
Thu, June 18 Mexico vs South Korea 7:00 p.m. Estadio Akron, Guadalajara Won 1–0
Wed, June 24 Czechia vs Mexico 7:00 p.m. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City Won 3–0

Group A final standings

Team Played Points
Mexico 3 9
South Africa 3 4
South Korea 3 3
Czechia 3 1

Mexico’s Round of 32 Match and the Road to the Final

As Group A winners, Mexico head into the new Round of 32 stage on Tuesday, June 30 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Their opponent will be one of the best third-placed teams (drawn from Groups C, E, F, H or I), confirmed once the group stage wraps up. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. local time.

  • Round of 32 — Tue, June 30, 9:00 p.m. CT, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
  • Round of 16 — Sun, July 5, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
  • The final — Sun, July 19, 1:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET), MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey

From the quarter-finals onward, all matches move to the United States. If Mexico go deep, their route would take them north of the border — see the full bracket dates in our World Cup 2026 schedule guide and the final date breakdown.

World Cup 2026 Matches Hosted in Mexico

Mexico is hosting 13 of the tournament’s matches across three cities — 10 group-stage games and three knockout fixtures.

The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City carries the heaviest load, while Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) stage four matches each.

For a closer look at each venue and city, see our guides to the World Cup 2026 host cities and stadiums, plus where to stay in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Planning to travel? Compare flights to Monterrey and check our Mexico World Cup 2026 guide and where to stay for the matches. First-timers should also read up on the Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) and whether Mexico City is safe for World Cup fans.

Watching the World Cup in Mexico

All three Mexican host cities sit in Central Time (UTC−6) and do not observe daylight saving, so kick-off times are consistent across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

That puts most of Mexico’s matches in convenient afternoon and evening slots for local fans. For matches across the border, Mexico City runs two hours behind US Eastern Time — so the final’s 3:00 p.m. ET kick-off is 1:00 p.m. in Mexico. Compare the full US slate in our schedule in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Mexico play next at the World Cup 2026?

Mexico topped Group A with a perfect record after a 3–0 win over Czechia on June 24. Their Round of 32 match is on Tuesday, June 30 at 9:00 p.m. local time (CT) at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Has Mexico already qualified for the knockout stage?

Yes. With wins over South Africa (2–0) and South Korea (1–0), Mexico topped Group A and became the first team to reach the new Round of 32.

Which cities in Mexico are hosting World Cup matches?

Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) are hosting 13 matches in total — 10 group games and 3 knockout fixtures.

Where is the World Cup 2026 final?

The final is on Sunday, July 19 at 1:00 p.m. Mexico time (3:00 p.m. ET) at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. From the quarter-finals onward, all matches are played in the United States.

Sources

  1. FIFA — World Cup 2026 Match Schedule, Fixtures and Results
  2. FIFA — Mexico City Stadium to Host Opening Match
  3. 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A — fixtures and results
  4. Al Jazeera — Teams qualified for the Round of 32
  5. Sky Sports — World Cup 2026 Group A guide
  6. FOX Sports — Mexico World Cup 2026 Schedule
  7. Roadtrips — 2026 World Cup Schedule and Locations
  8. FIFA World Cup 2026 NY/NJ — Schedule and Kick-Off Times

Disclaimer: Match dates and kick-off times are subject to change by FIFA, and knockout-stage matchups will be confirmed only after the group stage ends. 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.

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