FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in Benin Time (WAT)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in Benin Time gives fans the full 104-match tournament list in WAT. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Benin viewers see the opener in prime time on June 11.
The schedule works for fans in Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey-Calavi, Djougou, Bohicon, Natitingou, Lokossa, and Ouidah. It covers the opening match, group fixtures, knockout rounds, third-place match, and final. The schedule also helps fans track high-interest teams. Benin fans will track Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon. France, Brazil, Argentina, and England also draw strong attention.
Use the World Cup 2026 schedule with this timing breakdown during each round. Benin viewers get a heavy mix of midnight, dawn, and early-morning kickoffs. A date-aware schedule prevents missed matches, wrong calendar entries, and late starts.
Quick Answer: The Benin-time schedule has 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. Match 1 starts at 8:00 PM WAT on Thu, Jun 11. The final starts at Sunday, July 19 at 8:00 PM WAT. Most WAT kickoffs sit between 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM WAT.
Norway
France| Date | Time | Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June, 2026Thursday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Mexico | 2-0Full timeMatch No. 1 |  South Africa |
| 12 June, 2026Friday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Korea Republic | 2-1Full timeMatch No. 2 |  Czechia |
| 12 June, 2026Friday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Canada | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 3 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 13 June, 2026Saturday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  USA | 4-1Full timeMatch No. 4 |  Paraguay |
| 13 June, 2026Saturday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Qatar | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 8 |  Switzerland |
| 13 June, 2026Saturday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Brazil | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 7 |  Morocco |
| 14 June, 2026Sunday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Haiti | 0-1Full timeMatch No. 5 |  Scotland |
| 14 June, 2026Sunday | 5:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Australia | 2-0Full timeMatch No. 6 |  Türkiye |
| 14 June, 2026Sunday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Germany | 7-1Full timeMatch No. 10 |  Curaçao |
| 14 June, 2026Sunday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Netherlands | 2-2Full timeMatch No. 11 |  Japan |
| 15 June, 2026Monday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Côte d'Ivoire | 1-0Full timeMatch No. 9 |  Ecuador |
| 15 June, 2026Monday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Sweden | 5-1Full timeMatch No. 12 |  Tunisia |
| 15 June, 2026Monday | 5:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Spain | 0-0Full timeMatch No. 14 |  Cabo Verde |
| 15 June, 2026Monday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Belgium | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 16 |  Egypt |
| 15 June, 2026Monday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Saudi Arabia | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 13 |  Uruguay |
| 16 June, 2026Tuesday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  IR Iran | 2-2Full timeMatch No. 15 |  New Zealand |
| 16 June, 2026Tuesday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | France | 3-1Full timeMatch No. 17 |  Senegal |
| 16 June, 2026Tuesday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Iraq | 1-4Full timeMatch No. 18 | Norway |
| 17 June, 2026Wednesday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Argentina | 3-0Full timeMatch No. 19 |  Algeria |
| 17 June, 2026Wednesday | 5:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Austria | 3-1Full timeMatch No. 20 |  Jordan |
| 17 June, 2026Wednesday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  Portugal | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 23 |  Congo DR |
| 17 June, 2026Wednesday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time |  England | 4-2Full timeMatch No. 22 |  Croatia |
| 18 June, 2026Thursday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Ghana | 1-0Full timeMatch No. 21 |  Panama |
| 18 June, 2026Thursday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time |  Uzbekistan | 1-3Full timeMatch No. 24 |  Colombia |
| 18 June, 2026Thursday | 5:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Czechia | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 25 | South Africa |
| 18 June, 2026Thursday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Switzerland | 4-1Full timeMatch No. 26 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 18 June, 2026Thursday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Canada | 6-0Full timeMatch No. 27 | Qatar |
| 19 June, 2026Friday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Mexico | 1-0Full timeMatch No. 28 | Korea Republic |
| 19 June, 2026Friday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | USA | 2-0Full timeMatch No. 32 | Australia |
| 19 June, 2026Friday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Scotland | 0-1Full timeMatch No. 30 | Morocco |
| 20 June, 2026Saturday | 1:30 AM (WAT)Full time | Brazil | 3-0Full timeMatch No. 29 | Haiti |
| 20 June, 2026Saturday | 4:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Türkiye | 0-1Full timeMatch No. 31 | Paraguay |
| 20 June, 2026Saturday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Netherlands | 5-1Full timeMatch No. 35 | Sweden |
| 20 June, 2026Saturday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Germany | 2-1Full timeMatch No. 33 | Côte d'Ivoire |
| 21 June, 2026Sunday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Ecuador | 0-0Full timeMatch No. 34 | Curaçao |
| 21 June, 2026Sunday | 5:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Tunisia | 0-4Full timeMatch No. 36 | Japan |
| 21 June, 2026Sunday | 5:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Spain | 4-0Full timeMatch No. 38 | Saudi Arabia |
| 21 June, 2026Sunday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Belgium | 0-0Full timeMatch No. 39 | IR Iran |
| 21 June, 2026Sunday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Uruguay | 2-2Full timeMatch No. 37 | Cabo Verde |
| 22 June, 2026Monday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time | New Zealand | 1-3Full timeMatch No. 40 | Egypt |
| 22 June, 2026Monday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Argentina | 2-0Full timeMatch No. 43 | Austria |
| 22 June, 2026Monday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Full time | France | 3-0Full timeMatch No. 42 | Iraq |
| 23 June, 2026Tuesday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Norway | 3-2Full timeMatch No. 41 | Senegal |
| 23 June, 2026Tuesday | 4:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Jordan | 1-2Full timeMatch No. 44 | Algeria |
| 23 June, 2026Tuesday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Portugal | 5-0Full timeMatch No. 47 | Uzbekistan |
| 23 June, 2026Tuesday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time | England | 0-0Full timeMatch No. 45 | Ghana |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Panama | 0-1Full timeMatch No. 46 | Croatia |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Colombia | 1-0Full timeMatch No. 48 | Congo DR |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Switzerland | 2-1Full timeMatch No. 51 | Canada |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3-1Full timeMatch No. 52 | Qatar |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Scotland | 0-3Full timeMatch No. 49 | Brazil |
| 24 June, 2026Wednesday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Morocco | 4-2Full timeMatch No. 50 | Haiti |
| 25 June, 2026Thursday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Czechia | 0-3Full timeMatch No. 53 | Mexico |
| 25 June, 2026Thursday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Full time | South Africa | 1-0Full timeMatch No. 54 | Korea Republic |
| 25 June, 2026Thursday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Curaçao | 0-2Full timeMatch No. 55 | Côte d'Ivoire |
| 25 June, 2026Thursday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Full time | Ecuador | 2-1Full timeMatch No. 56 | Germany |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Japan | 1-1Full timeMatch No. 57 | Sweden |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Tunisia | 1-3Full timeMatch No. 58 | Netherlands |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Türkiye | 3-2Full timeMatch No. 59 | USA |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Full time | Paraguay | 0-0Full timeMatch No. 60 | Australia |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 12h | Norway | vsMatch No. 61 | France |
| 26 June, 2026Friday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 12h | Senegal | vsMatch No. 62 | Iraq |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 17h | Cabo Verde | vsMatch No. 65 | Saudi Arabia |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 17h | Uruguay | vsMatch No. 66 | Spain |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 4:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 20h | Egypt | vsMatch No. 63 | IR Iran |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 4:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 20h | New Zealand | vsMatch No. 64 | Belgium |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 14h | Panama | vsMatch No. 67 | England |
| 27 June, 2026Saturday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 14h | Croatia | vsMatch No. 68 | Ghana |
| 28 June, 2026Sunday | 12:30 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 17h | Colombia | vsMatch No. 71 | Portugal |
| 28 June, 2026Sunday | 12:30 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 17h | Congo DR | vsMatch No. 72 | Uzbekistan |
| 28 June, 2026Sunday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 19h | Algeria | vsMatch No. 69 | Austria |
| 28 June, 2026Sunday | 3:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 1d 19h | Jordan | vsMatch No. 70 | Argentina |
| 28 June, 2026Sunday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 2d 12h | South Africa | vsMatch No. 73 | Canada |
| 29 June, 2026Monday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 3d 10h | Brazil | vsMatch No. 76 | Japan |
| 29 June, 2026Monday | 9:30 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 3d 14h | Germany | vsMatch No. 74 | TBC |
| 30 June, 2026Tuesday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 3d 18h | Netherlands | vsMatch No. 75 | Morocco |
| 30 June, 2026Tuesday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 4d 10h | Côte d'Ivoire | vsMatch No. 78 | TBC |
| 30 June, 2026Tuesday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 4d 14h | TBC | vsMatch No. 77 | TBC |
| 1 July, 2026Wednesday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 4d 18h | Mexico | vsMatch No. 79 | TBC |
| 1 July, 2026Wednesday | 5:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 5d 9h | TBC | vsMatch No. 80 | TBC |
| 1 July, 2026Wednesday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 5d 13h | TBC | vsMatch No. 82 | TBC |
| 2 July, 2026Thursday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 5d 17h | USA | vsMatch No. 81 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 2 July, 2026Thursday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 6d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 84 | TBC |
| 3 July, 2026Friday | 12:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 6d 16h | TBC | vsMatch No. 83 | TBC |
| 3 July, 2026Friday | 4:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 6d 20h | Switzerland | vsMatch No. 85 | TBC |
| 3 July, 2026Friday | 7:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 7d 11h | Australia | vsMatch No. 88 | TBC |
| 3 July, 2026Friday | 11:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 7d 15h | Argentina | vsMatch No. 86 | TBC |
| 4 July, 2026Saturday | 2:30 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 7d 19h | TBC | vsMatch No. 87 | TBC |
| 4 July, 2026Saturday | 6:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 8d 10h | TBC | vsMatch No. 90 | TBC |
| 4 July, 2026Saturday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 8d 14h | TBC | vsMatch No. 89 | TBC |
| 5 July, 2026Sunday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 9d 13h | TBC | vsMatch No. 91 | TBC |
| 6 July, 2026Monday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 9d 17h | TBC | vsMatch No. 92 | TBC |
| 6 July, 2026Monday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 10d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 93 | TBC |
| 7 July, 2026Tuesday | 1:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 10d 17h | TBC | vsMatch No. 94 | TBC |
| 7 July, 2026Tuesday | 5:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 11d 9h | TBC | vsMatch No. 95 | TBC |
| 7 July, 2026Tuesday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 11d 13h | TBC | vsMatch No. 96 | TBC |
| 9 July, 2026Thursday | 9:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 13d 13h | TBC | vsMatch No. 97 | TBC |
| 10 July, 2026Friday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 14d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 98 | TBC |
| 11 July, 2026Saturday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 15d 14h | TBC | vsMatch No. 99 | TBC |
| 12 July, 2026Sunday | 2:00 AM (WAT)Kick-off in 15d 18h | TBC | vsMatch No. 100 | TBC |
| 14 July, 2026Tuesday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 18d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 101 | TBC |
| 15 July, 2026Wednesday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 19d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 102 | TBC |
| 18 July, 2026Saturday | 10:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 22d 14h | TBC | vsMatch No. 103 | TBC |
| 19 July, 2026Sunday | 8:00 PM (WAT)Kick-off in 23d 12h | TBC | vsMatch No. 104 | TBC |
Quick Facts – World Cup 2026 in WAT
Benin fans usually need the opener, final, overnight risk, and best live window first. This block answers those points fast. It also gives a cleaner starting point before the full 104-match table.
| Key Item | Benin Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament dates | June 11 to July 19, 2026 |
| Total matches | 104 |
| Opening match | Mexico vs South Africa at 8:00 PM WAT on Thu, Jun 11 |
| Final | 8:00 PM WAT on Sun, Jul 19 |
| Main overnight risk | 44 kickoffs start between midnight and 5:59 AM WAT |
| Best live window | 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, or 9:00 PM usually gives the cleanest live slot |
| Host spread | Mexico, Eastern, Central, and Pacific host clocks all affect the same matchday |
| Why local dates matter | A host-country evening kickoff can move into the next Benin date |
How to Use the Benin Time Schedule
Start with the stage filter if you only want group games or knockout matches. Then use the venue filter for host-city planning. The search box helps when you want one team, city, or stadium without scanning all fixtures.
Check the Benin date before you save any match. A Sunday afternoon final in New Jersey becomes a Sunday evening fixture in Benin calendars. That detail matters most for the final, semi-finals, and West Coast evening matches.
| Schedule Tool | What It Helps Benin Fans Find |
|---|---|
| Venue filter | Find matches in one host stadium or city |
| Team search | Track one team across group and knockout fixtures |
| Stage filter | Separate group matches, knockout games, and the final |
| WAT date | Check the Benin calendar day before setting reminders |
| Share button | Send the current Benin-time schedule view to friends |
What Is West Africa Time (WAT)?
West Africa Time is UTC+1 and applies across Benin during the World Cup window. Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey-Calavi, Djougou, Bohicon, Natitingou, Lokossa, and Ouidah use the same clock. That single national time zone makes the match list easier to follow.
Benin does not observe daylight saving time in 2026. WAT stays fixed while North American host cities use summer time rules. Eastern host cities sit five hours behind Benin. Pacific host cities sit eight hours behind Benin.
Why Benin Fans Need a Local Match Schedule
World Cup 2026 does not run on one host clock. Mexico, Eastern, Central, and Pacific windows can all hit the same viewing week. That makes local conversion essential in Benin.
Benin viewers can miss fixtures when they save host-country dates without checking WAT. A Sunday afternoon final in New Jersey becomes a Sunday evening fixture in Benin calendars. That risk grows during knockout rounds and late West Coast starts.
How the 48-Team Format Changes Benin Viewing
The 48-team format creates longer group-stage days and more crowded kickoff bands. Benin fans face more back-to-back choices than older 64-match tournaments. That pushes planning higher up the watch routine.
The smart move is to pick priority teams, then save the best local windows first. That cuts fatigue across four-match days. It also keeps overnight viewing under control.
World Cup 2026 Match Times Benin by Host Zone
The official FIFA feed stores each kickoff in UTC. The safest method converts each record into Africa/Porto-Novo time. That catches next-day dates and avoids mistakes around Mexico, Canada, and U.S. summer time. It also helps Benin viewers separate watchable evening fixtures from hard overnight starts.
| Host Local Time | Host UTC Offset | WAT Time | Common Host Cities or Match Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 PM Eastern Time | UTC-4 | 5:00 PM WAT | New Jersey, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia |
| 3:00 PM Eastern Time | UTC-4 | 8:00 PM WAT | Final, semi-final style window, selected group matches |
| 6:00 PM Eastern Time | UTC-4 | 11:00 PM WAT | New Jersey and East Coast evening matches |
| 9:00 PM Eastern Time | UTC-4 | 2:00 AM WAT next day | Late East Coast window |
| 12:00 PM Central Time | UTC-5 | 6:00 PM WAT | Houston, Dallas, Kansas City summer window |
| 3:00 PM Central Time | UTC-5 | 9:00 PM WAT | Dallas, Houston, Kansas City afternoon matches |
| 6:00 PM Central Time | UTC-5 | 12:00 AM WAT next day | Central evening matches |
| 1:00 PM Mexico City Time | UTC-6 | 8:00 PM WAT | Opening match in Mexico City |
| 7:00 PM Mexico City Time | UTC-6 | 2:00 AM WAT next day | Mexico City and Guadalajara night window |
| 12:00 PM Pacific Time | UTC-7 | 8:00 PM WAT | Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Bay Area |
| 3:00 PM Pacific Time | UTC-7 | 11:00 PM WAT | West Coast afternoon matches |
| 6:00 PM Pacific Time | UTC-7 | 2:00 AM WAT next day | West Coast evening matches |
All WAT conversions use date-aware time-zone handling. FIFA can still update final listings, so check FWCTimes close to kickoff.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in Benin Time
The first confirmed match is Mexico vs South Africa. It starts at 8:00 PM WAT on Thu, Jun 11 in Benin. The final is set for 8:00 PM WAT on Sun, Jul 19. That turns Sunday afternoon in New Jersey into Sunday evening in Benin. Those two anchor points explain the full rhythm of the tournament for Benin viewers.
The group stage carries the busiest WAT schedule because FIFA has four-match days across several time zones. Some matches start in the 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, or 9:00 PM window, which suits live viewing. Many others start between midnight and dawn, so fans should choose priority matches before the first week begins.
| Schedule Moment | Benin Date | WAT Time | Fixture | Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening match | Thu, Jun 11 | 8:00 PM WAT | Mexico vs South Africa | Group Stage | Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City |
| Second match | Fri, Jun 12 | 3:00 AM WAT | Korea Republic vs Czechia | Group Stage | Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara |
| First Canada host match | Fri, Jun 12 | 8:00 PM WAT | Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Group Stage | Toronto Stadium, Toronto |
| First USA host match | Sat, Jun 13 | 2:00 AM WAT | USA vs Paraguay | Group Stage | Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles |
| Final | Sun, Jul 19 | 8:00 PM WAT | Final matchup yet to be confirmed | Final | New York/New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey |
Group Stage Viewing Windows for Benin Fans
Benin fans get a demanding group-stage pattern because North America sits far behind WAT. The best live window starts at 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, or 9:00 PM. Those matches suit families, students, and office workers better than dawn kickoffs.
Midnight matches will still drive strong live interest. Benin fans will track Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon. France, Brazil, Argentina, and England also draw strong attention. The World Cup 2026 groups list helps fans choose priority games before the busiest nights.
Benin viewers should build a short watch list before Matchday 1. Start with national-team loyalties, then add club-star matchups. That approach reduces missed games during the busiest four-match days. It also keeps dawn fixtures from becoming a daily routine.
The group phase also rewards replay planning. Some WAT kickoffs end after sunrise in major cities. Students and office workers can follow official highlights later. Live viewing makes more sense for decisive group games.
| WAT Viewing Window | Fixture Count | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM WAT | 13 | Useful early-evening window before dinner |
| 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM WAT | 31 | Best prime-time live window |
| 10:00 PM to 12:30 AM WAT | 24 | Late-night stretch for priority matches |
| 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM WAT | 26 | Deep-night window before work and school |
| 4:00 AM to 5:00 AM WAT | 8 | Early-morning replay and flexible viewing window |
Knockout Stage Match Times (WAT)
The knockout rounds make date checks even more important. Round of 32 matches start after the group phase ends. Pairings depend on group positions, so Benin fans should mark the stage first.
Both semi-finals start at 8:00 PM WAT. The third-place match starts at 10:00 PM WAT on July 19. The final starts at 8:00 PM WAT. Set Sunday evening reminders before the 8:00 PM kickoff.
| Stage | Benin Dates | WAT Kickoff Windows | Pairing or Venue Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Sun, Jun 28 to Sat, Jul 4 | 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM WAT | TBC pairings until previous rounds finish |
| Round of 16 | Sat, Jul 4 to Tue, Jul 7 | 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM WAT | TBC pairings until previous rounds finish |
| Quarter-final | Thu, Jul 9 to Sun, Jul 12 | 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM WAT | TBC pairings until previous rounds finish |
| Semi-final | Tue, Jul 14 to Wed, Jul 15 | 8:00 PM WAT | TBC pairings until previous rounds finish |
| Play-off for third place | Sat, Jul 18 | 10:00 PM WAT | TBC pairings until previous rounds finish |
| Final | Sun, Jul 19 | 8:00 PM WAT | New York/New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey |
How to Watch World Cup 2026 in Benin
Benin access is expected through regional Sub-Saharan Africa World Cup coverage. New World TV has Sub-Saharan Africa rights for FIFA World Cup 2026. Benin is listed in the exclusive pay-TV territory group. New World TV also handles sublicensing for selected free-to-air matches. Fans should check final channel placement near the tournament.
FWCTimes tracks Benin football TV schedule for local viewers. Match-by-match channel allocation can still change before kickoff. Use official listings, app notices, and platform schedules when match week arrives.
Key Facts – World Cup 2026 and WAT
| Key Item | Benin Detail |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Dates | June 11 to July 19, 2026 in host countries |
| Benin local date range | Thu, Jun 11 to Sun, Jul 19 |
| Hosts | USA, Canada, Mexico |
| Host cities | 16 |
| Matches | 104 |
| Benin time zone | West Africa Time, WAT, UTC+1 |
| DST status | Benin does not observe daylight saving time in 2026. |
| First local kickoff | Thu, Jun 11 at 8:00 PM WAT |
| Most common local kickoff | 8:00 PM WAT |
| Final in Benin | Sunday, July 19 at 8:00 PM WAT |
| Football body | Benin Football Federation |
| Streaming | New World TV and authorised local broadcast partners |
Benin Viewing Strategy by Match Type
The best Benin plan starts with teams and stages. Benin fans will track Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon. France, Brazil, Argentina, and England also draw strong attention. West African and CAF teams carry strong interest. Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon shape key storylines.
Families should treat midnight matches differently from dawn matches. A 10:00 PM kickoff can still work as a late-night watch. A 4:00 AM kickoff fits breakfast, commute, and highlights better.
Venue timing also changes the Benin viewing pattern. East Coast and Central games create more useful slots than West Coast evening matches. Fans comparing cities can use the FIFA World Cup 2026 venues list to understand the spread.
| Match Type | Best Benin Planning Move | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Opening match | Check the local opening kickoff | Mexico vs South Africa begins at 8:00 PM WAT on June 11. |
| High-demand teams | Track global teams first | Benin fans will track Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon. France, Brazil, Argentina, and England also draw strong attention. |
| Regional interest | Watch regional teams in priority order | West African and CAF teams carry strong interest. Benin, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon shape key storylines. |
| Workday mornings | Use official replays and highlights | Several matches end close to commute or office hours. |
| Knockout rounds | Check the local date before the time | Many WAT kickoffs fall on the next local calendar date. |
Benin fans should also separate weekend nights from weekday mornings. A Saturday 10:00 PM kickoff feels different from a Monday 4:00 AM kickoff. The same time can create a better or worse viewing slot by date.
Phone reminders should include the local date, not just the match number. Many social posts repeat host-country dates without local conversion. That creates mistakes when a match crosses midnight in WAT. Use the local date first, then confirm the kickoff window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the World Cup 2026 Final start in Benin time?
The World Cup 2026 Final starts at Sunday, July 19 at 8:00 PM WAT. The host-city kickoff is 3:00 PM EDT on Sunday, July 19 at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
How many hours ahead is WAT from USA Eastern Time?
WAT is five hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time during the World Cup. A 3:00 PM kickoff in New Jersey becomes 8:00 PM in Benin.
Where can fans in Benin watch FIFA World Cup 2026?
New World TV has Sub-Saharan Africa rights for FIFA World Cup 2026. Benin is listed in the exclusive pay-TV territory group. New World TV also handles sublicensing for selected free-to-air matches. Fans should still check official listings close to each match.
Will there be late-night or early-morning matches for Benin viewers?
Yes, Benin viewers will get many late-night and early-morning matches. The full FIFA feed places most WAT kickoffs between 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM WAT.
Does Benin observe Daylight Saving Time during World Cup 2026?
No, Benin does not observe daylight saving time during World Cup 2026. WAT stays fixed at UTC+1 through June and July.
What is the WAT UTC offset for World Cup 2026 match times?
WAT is UTC+1 for World Cup 2026 match times. That offset applies across Benin, including Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey-Calavi, Djougou, Bohicon, Natitingou, Lokossa, and Ouidah.
Conclusion
Benin fans should treat World Cup 2026 as a late-night and early-morning tournament. The opener begins at 8:00 PM WAT. Many group games stretch beyond 12:00 AM. The final starts at 8:00 PM WAT.
Keep the WAT windows ready before the group stage starts. Then update your watch list once knockout pairings become clear. The schedule is demanding, yet several evening and morning slots remain useful. Read Also: FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule in Guinea-Bissau Time (GMT)
