So, it’s 2026, and if you're asking what time does america play, you’re probably staring at a calendar that is absolutely slammed. We aren't just talking about a few casual games here and there. This is a World Cup year on home soil. Honestly, between the USMNT prepping for the biggest tournament of their lives and the USWNT continuing their post-Olympic dominance, your DVR is going to be working overtime.
Getting the kickoff times right is kinda tricky because of the sheer volume of time zones involved. Whether they’re at SoFi in LA or Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, you’ve gotta keep your eyes peeled for those Eastern versus Pacific shifts. Nobody wants to tune in at 7:00 PM only to realize the final whistle blew two hours ago.
The Men’s Road to the 2026 World Cup
The US Men’s National Team (USMNT) has a massive schedule of friendlies before the real deal starts in June. They are basically touring the country to get everyone hyped.
The first big dates to circle are in March. On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the U.S. faces Belgium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM ET. If you’re on the West Coast, that’s a lunch-time 12:30 PM start. Just a few days later, on Tuesday, March 31, they stay in Atlanta to take on Portugal at 7:00 PM ET.
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Then things get spicy in the summer. Before the tournament officially kicks off, there is a "Send-Off Match" against Germany on June 6, 2026, at Soldier Field in Chicago. That one is scheduled for 2:30 PM ET. It’s the last chance for the squad to work out the kinks before the world descends on North America.
The World Cup Group Stage Times
This is what everyone is actually searching for. The U.S. is in Group D, and their path is set.
- June 12, 2026 (Friday): USA vs. Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. This is a prime-time slot. It starts at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM local time in Los Angeles).
- June 19, 2026 (Friday): USA vs. Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle. This one is earlier—3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM local time).
- June 25, 2026 (Thursday): USA vs. a TBD opponent (likely a UEFA playoff winner) back at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is a late one: 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local time).
Don't Forget the USWNT SheBelieves Cup
While the men are getting the World Cup headlines, the Women’s National Team has a heavy start to the year. They’ve got the SheBelieves Cup coming up in March, and these games are always high-intensity.
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They start against Argentina on March 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Following that, they play Canada—always a grudge match—on March 4 at 6:45 PM ET. They wrap up the tournament against Colombia on March 7 at 3:30 PM ET.
Earlier in the year, in late January, they have a couple of friendlies. They play Paraguay on January 24 at 5:30 PM ET and Chile on January 27 at 10:00 PM ET. These are critical for the newer players to prove they belong in the starting XI for the next major cycle.
How to Watch and Stay Updated
Most of the USMNT friendlies are airing on TNT, TBS, or HBO Max. For the World Cup itself, FOX has the English-language rights, while Telemundo and Peacock handle the Spanish broadcasts.
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Streaming is basically mandatory now. If you don't have cable, Fubo or YouTube TV are your best bets to catch everything without hunting for sketchy links.
Expert Tip: Set your phone alerts to "Eastern Time" if you travel frequently. Most official U.S. Soccer schedules default to the venue's local time, which is a recipe for disaster if you're flying between New York and Seattle.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official U.S. Soccer website and use the "Add to Calendar" feature for both the Men’s and Women’s schedules. This automatically adjusts for your local time zone.
- Check the World Cup Draw: Keep an eye on the TBD slots for the June 25th match. The final opponent will be confirmed after the European playoff brackets conclude.
- Plan Your Watch Parties: For the June 12th opener against Paraguay, remember it’s a Friday night 9:00 PM ET start—perfect for a backyard projector setup.
- Verify Local Blackouts: While national team games rarely have them, always double-check if your local regional sports network (RSN) has any secondary broadcast rights that might affect your streaming options.