Irish football enthusiasts can enjoy every match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 live on RTÉ, featuring key teams like Brazil, England, and France at convenient evening times
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to captivate audiences worldwide, and Irish viewers will have front-row seats through RTÉ‘s comprehensive live coverage. From the tournament’s opening match on Thursday 11 June to the final on Sunday 19 Julyfootball fans can expect a month filled with exhilarating action.
The spectacle kicks off with an intriguing clash between Mexico and South Africa at 8pm Irish time. This is just the beginning of a packed group stage featuring football powerhouses like BrazilEnglandArgentinaFrancePortugalGermanySpainand the Netherlands.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Highlights
The group stage promises a diverse array of matches, with some scheduled at unconventional hours to accommodate global audiences. Here are some key fixtures:
Opening Matches
On Thursday 11 Junethe tournament begins with Mexico vs. South Africa at 8pm, followed by South Korea vs.
Czechia at 3am. The next day, Canada takes on Bosnia & Herzegovina at 8pm, with USA vs. Paraguay at 2am.
Mid-Tournament Action
As the tournament progresses, notable matches include Brazil vs. Morocco on Saturday 13 June at 11pm, and England vs. Croatia on Monday 15 June at 9pm. The group stage concludes with a series of matches on Wednesday 24 Junefeaturing Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar and Switzerland vs. Canada.
Knockout Stage Schedule
The stakes rise significantly during the knockout stages, with matches scheduled from the Round of 32 through to the final. Here’s a snapshot of the key dates and times:
Round of 32
The Round of 32 begins on Sunday 28 June at 8pm and continues through to Friday 3 Julywith matches at various times including 6pm, 9:30pm, and 2am.
Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals
The quarter-finals are set for Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 Julywith matches at 9pm and 2am. The semi-finals follow on Tuesday 14 July and Wednesday 15 Julyboth at 8pm.
The Grand Finale
The tournament culminates with the third-place play-off on Saturday 18 July at 10pm, leading up to the highly anticipated final on Sunday 19 July at 8pm.
With RTÉ providing live coverage of every match, Irish football fans are in for a treat. The expanded format of the tournament ensures more games, more drama, and a packed schedule that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout June and July.
For those eager to stay updated, will continue to provide World Cup 2026 updates, TV details, fixtures, results, and reaction throughout the tournament. Additionally, live scores can be found at .
