The wait is over, and so, frankly, is our sleep schedule. The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City — a 2–0 win that, for Indian viewers, unfolded at a deeply unsociable 12:30 AM IST on June 12. This is the new normal for the next five weeks.
And it is, by every measure, the biggest one yet. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, this edition expands to 48 teams for the first time, with 104 matches across 16 venues over 39 days, ending July 19 in New Jersey. There's history loitering everywhere: Lionel Messi, now 38, could be making his final World Cup appearance, with Mbappé, Bellingham and a teenage Lamine Yamal queued up behind him.
The Timings (Or: Why Coffee Is Now a Personality Trait)
Because the action sprawls across North American time zones, kickoffs land all over the clock. The opening match, both semi-finals and the final all begin at 12:30 AM IST — late-night appointment viewing. Most group games tip off anywhere from the small hours to breakfast, so pace yourself.
What's On Now
Tonight into tomorrow morning, Canada open against Bosnia and Herzegovina (12:30 AM IST), followed by the USA versus Paraguay at 6:30 AM IST. The weekend brings the heavyweights — Brazil meet Morocco in the early hours of June 14 — while defending champions Argentina begin their title defence against Austria on June 17 IST.
How to Watch in India
After months of broadcast-rights limbo, Zee Entertainment secured the tournament in India. On TV, it's the newly launched Unite8 Sports network — four channels, with Hindi commentary on Unite8 Sports 1 and English on Unite8 Sports 2. Streaming lives on ZEE5, with plans from ₹799 for three months or ₹1,699 annually. Skint? DD Sports aired the opener free, and the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be on DD Free Dish — proof the beautiful game still occasionally remembers the rest of us.