{"id":429921,"date":"2025-12-07T00:50:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T00:50:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/429921\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T00:50:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T00:50:34","slug":"2026-world-cup-final-set-for-3pm-et-kick-off-full-tournament-schedule-and-fixtures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/429921\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 World Cup final set for 3pm ET kick-off: Full tournament schedule and fixtures"},"content":{"rendered":"

The World Cup final will take place at 3pm (ET) at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026, FIFA confirmed, in a move that will renew tensions over player welfare and commercial priorities.<\/p>\n

MetLife Stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and it is an open venue without a roof, meaning that players and fans will be exposed to the elements. The FIFA Club World Cup last summer played its semi-finals and final at MetLife, with all three games kicking off at 3pm ET.<\/p>\n

The semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense had highs of 96F (36C) on July 8 and the semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid had highs of 93F on July 9. The final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, which took place on July 13, was a little cooler, with highs of 85F. The weather can also be extremely humid in the summer.<\/p>\n

Over the last 10 years, on July 19, the day scheduled to host the final, the temperatures have hit 90F on four occasions and hit 84F or higher on seven occasions. The 10-year average is 87F, according to data from Weather Underground.<\/p>\n

A report published in June by FIFPro, the union that represents more than 70,000 professional players worldwide, previously called on FIFA to avoid midday games in \u201cextremely high-risk\u201d areas, advice the world governing body has heeded. No group-stage games in Kansas City, Miami and Monterrey will begin before 6pm ET. The union labeled MetLife as being a \u201chigh-risk\u201d location in the same report.<\/p>\n

The 3pm ET kick-off for the final is one of eight games MetLife will host during the tournament. During the group stage, matches at MetLife will have different kick-off times: 6pm ET (Brazil vs Morocco), 4pm (Germany vs Ecuador), 3pm (France vs Senegal), 8pm (Norway vs Senegal) and 5pm (Panama vs England). MetLife\u2019s round-of-32 game is slated for 5pm ET and its round of 16 game for 4pm ET.<\/p>\n

The World Cup final is one of only two of its MetLife games slated to take place at 3pm, a time that also provides a premium slot for a European television audience. FIFA decides schedules and kick-off times.<\/p>\n

Speaking to The Athletic on Saturday, FIFA\u2019s chief tournament officer Manolo Zubiria said: \u201cIt\u2019s the final of the World Cup \u2014 the more people you can bring to this game around the world (via television), the better. There will be measures to mitigate the heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you\u2019ve seen, there are not that many other games in times that will raise questions. We managed to leverage it and to balance it out well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York\/New Jersey host city committee, told The Athletic: \u201cThis is the summertime. It does get hot. So it\u2019s not unusual for us to do events in the summer. The Ryder Cup was a great example<\/a> (in how to do this): free waters and making sure everyone was well hydrated. We\u2019ll be working to make sure that there are no issues and that the fans can stay cool and comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

To adapt to the extreme heat last summer, FIFA implemented hydration breaks during games. Some teams had their substitutes watch their games inside the dressing room instead of from the sidelines, too.<\/p>\n

FIFPro has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n

Group A fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n

Games in: Atlanta, Guadalajara, Mexico, Mexico City, Monterrey, Mexico<\/p>\n

Matchday 1<\/strong><\/p>\n