When is the 2026 World Cup final? Date, UK time, location and how to follow showpiece match

The World Cup final is the biggest match in football and one of the greatest events in all of sports.

Over one billion people watched the 2022 showpiece between Argentina and France, as Lionel Messi cemented his legacy.

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And there’s no doubt that a similar number will be tuning in this summer to watch the next world champions be crowned.

Here’s all you need to know about the 2026 World Cup final…

When is the World Cup final?

The World Cup final will take place on Sunday, July 19.

Kick-off in the showpiece is scheduled for 8pm UK time, which is 3pm local.

It will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The venue, which was announced to be holding the final in 2024 and has a capacity of 82,500 seats, is the home of NFL teams, the New York Giants and New York Jets.

The early weather forecast for the match is for temperatures of 29C at kick-off and overcast conditions with high humidity.

How to follow the World Cup final

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the final as well as every single game at this summer’s World Cup.

We will be providing live shows and much more from the United States throughout the tournament.

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Tune in to talkSPORT through the website via the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.

Subscribe to our talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.

The final is expected to be broadcast on BBC and ITV in the UK again.

Fans will be able to watch the match for free, alongside being able to stream the game on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

World Cup 2026 knockout stage schedule

Round of 32 – June 28 to July 4

• Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up
• Group C winners vs Group F runners-up
• Group E winners vs Group A/B/C/D/F third place
• Group F winners vs Group C runners-up
• Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up
• Group I winners vs Group C/D/F/G/H third place
• Group A winners vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place
• Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place
• Group G winners vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place
• Group D winners vs Group B/E/F/I/J third place
• Group H winners vs Group J runners-up
• Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up
• Group B winners vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place
• Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up
• Group J winners vs Group H runners-up
• Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place

Round of 16

• Saturday, July 4 to Tuesday, July 7

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Quarter-finals

• Thursday, July 9 to Sunday, July 12

Semi-finals

• Tuesday, July 14 to Wednesday, July 15

Third-place play-off

• Saturday, July 18

Final

• Sunday, July 19

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