Countdown to the 2026 World Cup: Opening Ceremony and Match Schedule

Football fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This edition of the tournament is already surrounded by extensive discussions related to various controversial U.S. policies and decisions.

The current World Cup will kick off with an opening match that features a North American-African theme, as Mexico faces South Africa, reminiscent of the opening game from the 2010 tournament.

Here is the detailed schedule for the opening ceremony and inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup, listed in Cairo time:.

• 6:00 PM: Stadium gates open for fans.
• 8:30 PM: Official opening ceremony begins.
• 9:05 PM: Conclusion of the opening show.
• 9:10 PM: Players enter the field for warm-ups.
• 10:00 PM: Kickoff for the inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup.

On the Arab front, Egypt’s national team will compete in Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran. This strong group is expected to see fierce competition for qualification spots.

The Egyptian team’s journey in the tournament begins on June 15 with a challenging match against Belgium at 10:00 PM. They will then face New Zealand at 4:00 AM on June 22, concluding their group stage matches against Iran on June 27 at 6:00 AM.