England and Scotland World Cup 2026 Fixtures kick-off times, venues

sports history April 05, 2026 0 Comments

FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule confirmed as England and Scotland learn fixtures, kick-off times, Venues, locations, Stadiums

England will launch their 2026 World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June, with a UK-friendly 9pm kick-off. The full FIFA schedule confirms that all Three Lions group matches fall into late-evening UK time slots.

Their second match, against Ghana, is set for 23 June in Boston, again at 9pm, before they round off the group against Panama in New York on 27 June at 10pm. Thomas Tuchel has already warned that Group L is deceptively demanding, noting Croatia’s pedigree and Ghana’s regular presence at recent tournaments. England, seeded for the draw, are expected to push for top spot—though doing so may set up a knockout path featuring Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, with a potential final against France or Spain.

Scotland, back at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, face a much tougher schedule—both competitively and in terms of UK viewing times. Steve Clarke’s men kick off in Boston against Haiti in the early hours of 14 June (2am UK time). They remain in Massachusetts to meet Morocco on 18 June at 11pm, before heading to Miami for a glamorous but testing finale against Brazil on 24 June, also at 11pm.

Drawn from Pot 3, Scotland know they must overperform to reach the last 32, but the expanded format means that eight of the twelve third-placed teams will progress. Clarke welcomed the variety of opponents and noted the quirk of facing two nations they met at their last World Cup appearance in France ’98.

The tournament’s climate logistics will play a role. England’s opener in Dallas will be played under a closed, air-conditioned roof, while both England and Scotland will play on temporary grass surfaces in cities that usually use artificial turf. Miami, where Scotland face Brazil, is anticipated to be one of the hottest venues of the competition.