The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 8:00 PM WAT on Thursday, June 11 and ends with the Final at 8:00 PM WAT on Sunday, July 19. That is 39 days, 104 matches, 48 teams, and 16 stadiums across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Nigerian fans get a solid deal on timing. Most group stage matches fall between 6 PM and 11 PM WAT, which means plenty of football at watchable hours without sacrificing sleep.
This is the complete 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule converted to West Africa Time (WAT). All 104 matches are listed below with local kickoff times for Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, and Port Harcourt. Expect the sweet spot to be afternoon and evening viewing, with the late-night 9 PM and 11 PM ET slots pushing past midnight into the early hours.
Key Kickoff Times at a Glance:
| Event | Date (WAT) | Day | Time (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa | Jun 11, 2026 | Thursday | 8:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Brazil vs Morocco | Jun 13, 2026 | Saturday | 11:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| France vs Senegal | Jun 16, 2026 | Tuesday | 8:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| Argentina vs Algeria | Jun 16, 2026 | Tuesday | 2:00 AM (Jun 17) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| England vs Croatia | Jun 17, 2026 | Wednesday | 9:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| World Cup Final | Jul 19, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
What is West Africa Time (WAT)?
West Africa Time is the standard time used in Nigeria and several neighbouring countries including Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Angola. WAT sits at UTC+1, one hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.
Nigeria does not observe daylight saving time. The clocks stay the same all year round, which makes schedule conversions straightforward. During the World Cup (June and July 2026), WAT runs 5 hours ahead of US Eastern Time (EDT).
If you are in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, or Port Harcourt, every time on this page applies to you directly. No adjustment needed. For the full World Cup 2026 guide, including all other timezone conversions, visit the main hub.
World Cup 2026 Daily Match Times in WAT
There are five standard ET kickoff slots in the group stage: 12 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM, and 11 PM. Here is what each slot means for Nigerian fans.
| ET Slot | WAT Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM WAT | After-work viewing, great slot |
| 1:00 PM ET | 6:00 PM WAT | Evening prime time, ideal |
| 3:00 PM ET | 8:00 PM WAT | Prime time, best slot of the day |
| 4:00 PM ET | 9:00 PM WAT | Late evening, still comfortable |
| 5:00 PM ET | 10:00 PM WAT | Late evening, manageable |
| 6:00 PM ET | 11:00 PM WAT | Late night, worth it for big games |
| 7:00 PM ET | 12:00 AM WAT | Midnight, early-hours viewing |
| 8:00 PM ET | 1:00 AM WAT | Late night, hardcore fans only |
| 9:00 PM ET | 2:00 AM WAT | Very late, set an alarm |
| 10:00 PM ET | 3:00 AM WAT | Overnight, highlights recommended |
| 11:00 PM ET | 4:00 AM WAT | Overnight, early morning alarm |
In the knockout rounds, most matches fall between 6 PM and 11 PM WAT, with the semis and Final all at a comfortable 8:00 PM WAT.
Best Matches at Manageable WAT Times:
| # | Match | Date (WAT) | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico vs South Africa | Thu Jun 11 | 8:00 PM | Estadio Azteca |
| 17 | France vs Senegal | Tue Jun 16 | 8:00 PM | MetLife Stadium |
| 22 | England vs Croatia | Wed Jun 17 | 9:00 PM | AT&T Stadium |
| 38 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Sun Jun 21 | 5:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| 43 | Argentina vs Austria | Mon Jun 22 | 6:00 PM | AT&T Stadium |
| 97 | Quarterfinal (M89 vs M90) | Thu Jul 9 | 9:00 PM | Gillette Stadium |
| 101 | Semifinal | Tue Jul 14 | 8:00 PM | AT&T Stadium |
| 102 | Semifinal | Wed Jul 15 | 8:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| 104 | World Cup Final | Sun Jul 19 | 8:00 PM | MetLife Stadium |
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule in WAT
The group stage runs from June 11 to June 27 in West Africa Time. All 48 teams compete across 12 groups (A through L), with 72 matches total. The top two from each group advance automatically. The eight best third-placed teams also progress. On the final matchday of each group, both matches kick off simultaneously to keep things fair.
Thursday, June 11 WAT (Opening Day)
The World Cup opens with a rematch of the 2010 FIFA World Cup opener. Mexico and South Africa faced off in Johannesburg 16 years ago, drawing 1-1. Now they meet again in Mexico City to start the biggest World Cup ever.
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Mexico vs South Africa | 8:00 PM Thu Jun 11 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 2 | A | South Korea vs Czechia | 3:00 AM Fri Jun 12 | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
Friday, June 12 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | B | Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 8:00 PM Fri Jun 12 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 4 | D | USA vs Paraguay | 2:00 AM Sat Jun 13 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
Saturday, June 13 WAT
Brazil vs Morocco is the marquee match of the group stage. Two of football’s most exciting sides meet at MetLife Stadium in a game that could define Group C.
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | B | Qatar vs Switzerland | 8:00 PM Sat Jun 13 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
| 7 | C | Brazil vs Morocco | 11:00 PM Sat Jun 13 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 5 | C | Haiti vs Scotland | 2:00 AM Sun Jun 14 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
Sunday, June 14 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | D | Australia vs Türkiye | 5:00 AM Sun Jun 14 | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 10 | E | Germany vs Curaçao | 6:00 PM Sun Jun 14 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 11 | F | Netherlands vs Japan | 9:00 PM Sun Jun 14 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 9 | E | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | 12:00 AM Mon Jun 15 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 12 | F | Sweden vs Tunisia | 3:00 AM Mon Jun 15 | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
Monday, June 15 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | H | Spain vs Cape Verde | 5:00 PM Mon Jun 15 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 16 | G | Belgium vs Egypt | 8:00 PM Mon Jun 15 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 13 | H | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | 11:00 PM Mon Jun 15 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 15 | G | Iran vs New Zealand | 2:00 AM Tue Jun 16 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
Tuesday, June 16 WAT
France vs Senegal at 8:00 PM WAT is one of the best prime-time slots of the group stage. Argentina open their tournament at 2:00 AM, an overnight alarm job for fans wanting to watch live.
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | I | France vs Senegal | 8:00 PM Tue Jun 16 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 18 | I | Iraq vs Norway | 11:00 PM Tue Jun 16 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 19 | J | Argentina vs Algeria | 2:00 AM Wed Jun 17 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Wednesday, June 17 WAT
England vs Croatia is a 2018 World Cup semifinal rematch. England knocked Croatia out in the Nations League final too. This group opener at 9:00 PM WAT is appointment viewing.
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | J | Austria vs Jordan | 5:00 AM Wed Jun 17 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
| 23 | K | Portugal vs DR Congo | 6:00 PM Wed Jun 17 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 22 | L | England vs Croatia | 9:00 PM Wed Jun 17 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 21 | L | Ghana vs Panama | 12:00 AM Thu Jun 18 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 24 | K | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 3:00 AM Thu Jun 18 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
Thursday, June 18 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | A | Czechia vs South Africa | 5:00 PM Thu Jun 18 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 26 | B | Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | 8:00 PM Thu Jun 18 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 27 | B | Canada vs Qatar | 11:00 PM Thu Jun 18 | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 28 | A | Mexico vs South Korea | 2:00 AM Fri Jun 19 | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
Friday, June 19 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | D | USA vs Australia | 8:00 PM Fri Jun 19 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 30 | C | Scotland vs Morocco | 11:00 PM Fri Jun 19 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 29 | C | Brazil vs Haiti | 1:30 AM Sat Jun 20 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 31 | D | Türkiye vs Paraguay | 4:00 AM Sat Jun 20 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
Saturday, June 20 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | F | Netherlands vs Sweden | 6:00 PM Sat Jun 20 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 33 | E | Germany vs Ivory Coast | 9:00 PM Sat Jun 20 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 34 | E | Ecuador vs Curaçao | 1:00 AM Sun Jun 21 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Sunday, June 21 WAT
Tunisia vs Japan (Match 36) is the 1,000th match in World Cup history, kicking off at 5:00 AM WAT. A milestone game, even if the hour is unkind for Nigerian fans.
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | F | Tunisia vs Japan | 5:00 AM Sun Jun 21 | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
| 38 | H | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | 5:00 PM Sun Jun 21 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 39 | G | Belgium vs Iran | 8:00 PM Sun Jun 21 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 37 | H | Uruguay vs Cape Verde | 11:00 PM Sun Jun 21 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 40 | G | New Zealand vs Egypt | 2:00 AM Mon Jun 22 | BC Place, Vancouver |
Monday, June 22 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43 | J | Argentina vs Austria | 6:00 PM Mon Jun 22 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 42 | I | France vs Iraq | 10:00 PM Mon Jun 22 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 41 | I | Norway vs Senegal | 1:00 AM Tue Jun 23 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 44 | J | Jordan vs Algeria | 4:00 AM Tue Jun 23 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
Tuesday, June 23 WAT
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | K | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 6:00 PM Tue Jun 23 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 45 | L | England vs Ghana | 9:00 PM Tue Jun 23 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 46 | L | Panama vs Croatia | 12:00 AM Wed Jun 24 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 48 | K | Colombia vs DR Congo | 3:00 AM Wed Jun 24 | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
Wednesday, June 24 WAT (Final Group Matchday B, C, A)
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | B | Switzerland vs Canada | 8:00 PM Wed Jun 24 | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 52 | B | Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar | 8:00 PM Wed Jun 24 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 49 | C | Scotland vs Brazil | 11:00 PM Wed Jun 24 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 50 | C | Morocco vs Haiti | 11:00 PM Wed Jun 24 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 53 | A | Czechia vs Mexico | 2:00 AM Thu Jun 25 | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 54 | A | South Africa vs South Korea | 2:00 AM Thu Jun 25 | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
Thursday, June 25 WAT (Final Group Matchday E, F, D)
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | E | Curaçao vs Ivory Coast | 9:00 PM Thu Jun 25 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 56 | E | Ecuador vs Germany | 9:00 PM Thu Jun 25 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 57 | F | Japan vs Sweden | 12:00 AM Fri Jun 26 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 58 | F | Tunisia vs Netherlands | 12:00 AM Fri Jun 26 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| 59 | D | Türkiye vs USA | 3:00 AM Fri Jun 26 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 60 | D | Paraguay vs Australia | 3:00 AM Fri Jun 26 | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
Friday, June 26 WAT (Final Group Matchday I, H, G)
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | I | Norway vs France | 8:00 PM Fri Jun 26 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 62 | I | Senegal vs Iraq | 8:00 PM Fri Jun 26 | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 65 | H | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 1:00 AM Sat Jun 27 | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 66 | H | Uruguay vs Spain | 1:00 AM Sat Jun 27 | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| 63 | G | Egypt vs Iran | 4:00 AM Sat Jun 27 | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 64 | G | New Zealand vs Belgium | 4:00 AM Sat Jun 27 | BC Place, Vancouver |
Saturday, June 27 WAT (Final Group Matchday L, K, J)
| # | Group | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | L | Panama vs England | 10:00 PM Sat Jun 27 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 68 | L | Croatia vs Ghana | 10:00 PM Sat Jun 27 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 71 | K | Colombia vs Portugal | 12:30 AM Sun Jun 28 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 72 | K | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 12:30 AM Sun Jun 28 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 69 | J | Algeria vs Austria | 3:00 AM Sun Jun 28 | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| 70 | J | Jordan vs Argentina | 3:00 AM Sun Jun 28 | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Schedule (WAT)
This stage is brand new. It has never existed at any previous World Cup. One defeat and your tournament is over. All 16 matches are listed below in West Africa Time.
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Jun 28 | Sunday | Runner-up A vs Runner-up B | 8:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 76 | Jun 29 | Monday | Winner C vs Runner-up F | 6:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 74 | Jun 29 | Monday | Winner E vs Best 3rd | 9:30 PM | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 75 | Jun 29 | Monday | Winner F vs Runner-up C | 2:00 AM (Jun 30) | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey |
| 78 | Jun 30 | Tuesday | Runner-up E vs Runner-up I | 6:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 77 | Jun 30 | Tuesday | Winner I vs Best 3rd | 10:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 79 | Jun 30 | Tuesday | Winner A vs Best 3rd | 2:00 AM (Jul 1) | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 80 | Jul 1 | Wednesday | Winner L vs Best 3rd | 5:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 82 | Jul 1 | Wednesday | Winner G vs Best 3rd | 9:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 81 | Jul 1 | Wednesday | Winner D vs Best 3rd | 1:00 AM (Jul 2) | Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area |
| 84 | Jul 2 | Thursday | Winner H vs Runner-up J | 8:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 83 | Jul 2 | Thursday | Runner-up K vs Runner-up L | 12:00 AM (Jul 3) | BMO Field, Toronto |
| 85 | Jul 2 | Thursday | Winner B vs Best 3rd | 4:00 AM (Jul 3) | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 88 | Jul 3 | Friday | Runner-up D vs Runner-up G | 7:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 86 | Jul 3 | Friday | Winner J vs Runner-up H | 11:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 87 | Jul 3 | Friday | Winner K vs Best 3rd | 2:30 AM (Jul 4) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Schedule (WAT)
The last 16 runs from July 4 to July 7 in WAT. Lose here and the World Cup is over. Eight matches, eight different winners, all pushing toward the quarterfinals.
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Jul 4 | Saturday | Winner M73 vs Winner M75 | 6:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 89 | Jul 4 | Saturday | Winner M74 vs Winner M77 | 10:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 91 | Jul 5 | Sunday | Winner M76 vs Winner M78 | 9:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| 92 | Jul 5 | Sunday | Winner M79 vs Winner M80 | 1:00 AM (Jul 6) | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 93 | Jul 6 | Monday | Winner M83 vs Winner M84 | 8:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 94 | Jul 6 | Monday | Winner M81 vs Winner M82 | 1:00 AM (Jul 7) | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 95 | Jul 7 | Tuesday | Winner M86 vs Winner M88 | 5:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 96 | Jul 7 | Tuesday | Winner M85 vs Winner M87 | 9:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Final (WAT)
Quarterfinals
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | Jul 9 | Thursday | Winner M89 vs Winner M90 | 9:00 PM | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 98 | Jul 10 | Friday | Winner M93 vs Winner M94 | 8:00 PM | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 99 | Jul 11 | Saturday | Winner M91 vs Winner M92 | 10:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 100 | Jul 11 | Saturday | Winner M95 vs Winner M96 | 2:00 AM (Jul 12) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Semifinals
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Jul 14 | Tuesday | Winner M97 vs Winner M98 | 8:00 PM | AT&T Stadium, Dallas |
| 102 | Jul 15 | Wednesday | Winner M99 vs Winner M100 | 8:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
Third-Place Match
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | Jul 18 | Saturday | Loser M101 vs Loser M102 | 10:00 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
World Cup Final
| # | Date (WAT) | Day | Match | Kickoff (WAT) | Capacity | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | Jul 19 | Sunday | World Cup Final | 8:00 PM | 82,500 | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hosts the Final with a capacity of 82,500. It will also host the first-ever live World Cup halftime show, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and manager Phil Harvey, produced by Global Citizen. The show runs up to 25 minutes and is the first of its kind at any World Cup Final.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Nigeria
SuperSport holds the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup across sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. All 104 matches will air live on SuperSport channels via DStv and GOtv. For the first time, matches are available across every DStv package tier, from Access through Premium. That means even entry-level subscribers can watch without upgrading. GOtv subscribers also have access. Visit DStv.com to check your package and confirm access before the tournament begins on June 11.
If you cannot watch live, FIFA+ offers free highlights and selected replays after matches. The FIFA+ app is available on Android and iOS and works without a subscription.
What Nigerian Football Fans Need to Know
How many matches can Nigerian fans watch before midnight in WAT?
A good number. Matches at 12 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, and 6 PM ET all finish well before midnight WAT. Based on the group stage schedule, roughly 35 to 40 of the 72 group stage matches kick off at 11:00 PM WAT or earlier, making them accessible without a late-night commitment. The 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM ET slots (8:00 PM and 11:00 PM WAT) cover most of the high-profile fixtures.
Can Nigerian fans attend the World Cup in person?
Yes. Tickets are sold through FIFA’s official platform at fifa.com/tickets. Nigerian passport holders travelling to the USA will need a valid US visa. For Canada, a Canadian eTA or visa is required depending on your passport. Plan travel arrangements early, as demand for accommodation near host cities will be high.
What is the best way to follow matches if I cannot watch live?
FIFA+ (free, available on app and browser) publishes full-match replays and highlights within hours of the final whistle. SuperSport’s app also offers catch-up content for DStv subscribers. Setting score notifications off until you can watch is the classic approach for avoiding spoilers.
How many teams are making their World Cup debut at 2026?
Four nations appear at a World Cup for the very first time: Cape Verde (Group H), Curaçao (Group E), Jordan (Group J), and Uzbekistan (Group K). Iraq is not a debutant but returns after a 40-year absence, having last appeared at Mexico 1986.
What happens if a knockout match is still level after 90 minutes?
The game goes to 30 minutes of extra time, split into two halves of 15 minutes. If scores remain level, it moves to a penalty shootout. Factor in up to 150 minutes of total match time when planning late-night viewing in WAT.
Does Nigeria observe DST during the World Cup?
No. Nigeria stays on WAT (UTC+1) year-round with no clock changes. The time difference between Nigeria and the US East Coast (EDT) is a fixed 5 hours throughout the entire tournament. Every time on this page is accurate for the full duration of the competition.
