World Cup 2026 Vietnam Time: Full 104-Match Schedule

World Cup 2026 is the largest football tournament in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, three host countries. However, for football fans in Vietnam, the challenge is straightforward but real. Because every kickoff takes place while North America is in daytime, Vietnam is in the middle of the night or very early morning.

This article gives you the complete match schedule in Vietnam time (ICT, UTC+7), the VTV broadcast channels for each game, and a quick guide to the new knockout format. Bookmark it, set your alarms, and do not miss a match.

World Cup 2026 at a Glance

Here are the key facts for the 2026 tournament.

This is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in 2022. The expanded format introduces a brand-new Round of 32 between the group stage and the traditional Round of 16. That means 40 more matches than Qatar 2026 and significantly more late-night viewing for Vietnamese fans.

All 104 matches will be broadcast free of charge in Vietnam through VTV’s channels and the VTV Go app. More on that in the broadcast section below.

What Time Does Vietnam Watch the World Cup?

Vietnam observes Indochina Time (ICT, UTC+7) and does not use daylight saving. The host cities in North America run between UTC-7 (West Coast) and UTC-5 (East Coast) during the tournament window. That gap is 11 to 14 hours ahead of Vietnam, which means afternoon matches in the US land in the middle of the Vietnamese night.

Of the 104 matches, 55 kick off between midnight and 06:00 Vietnam time. Only a handful land in the morning or early afternoon. Use the conversion table below before setting any alarms.

For example: a match starting at 20:00 in Los Angeles would start at 11:00 the following morning in Vietnam.

Group Stage Schedule: All 72 Matches in Vietnam Time

The group stage runs from 12 to 28 June 2026. All 48 teams play three matches each across 12 groups (A to L). The top two finishers from each group advance automatically. Additionally, the eight best third-placed teams also progress, entering the new Round of 32.

The tables below are split by matchday round to make them easier to scan. All times are Vietnam local time (ICT). Matches marked with an asterisk (*) kick off simultaneously with another game in the same group.

First matchday: 12–18 June

Second matchday: 18–24 June

Third matchday: 25–28 June (Final Group Round – Simultaneous Pairs)

In the final round of each group, both matches in that group kick off at exactly the same time. This ensures no team has an advantage from knowing another result first. VTV splits each pair across two different channels – both are listed below.

Knockout Stage Schedule in Vietnam Time

The 2026 World Cup introduces a brand-new knockout round: the Round of 32. For the first time, teams do not go straight from the group stage into the Round of 16. The full knockout path is: Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Third-place match, Final.

Matches where opponents are not yet confirmed are listed as TBD. This article is updated as the bracket fills.

Round of 32: 29 June to 4 July

Round of 16: 5–8 July

Quarter-finals: 9–11 July

Semi-finals: 14–15 July

Third-place Match and Final

How to Watch World Cup 2026 in Vietnam

VTV (Vietnam Television) holds exclusive broadcasting rights for all 104 matches. Every game is available free of charge across VTV’s television channels and its digital platform, VTV Go.

VTV Go is the most practical option for matches that fall between midnight and 5:00 AM Vietnam time. The replay function lets you watch any match after the fact, so even the 02:00 AM Final is catchable at a more reasonable hour.

During the final group round (June 25 to June 28), two matches within the same group run simultaneously. VTV splits coverage across two channels at those times. Always confirm which channel carries your specific match before a simultaneous broadcast window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch World Cup 2026 for free in Vietnam?

Yes. Every match is broadcast free of charge on VTV’s terrestrial, cable, satellite, and digital platforms. The VTV Go app is free to download and streams every game live, with replay available after the match.

What is the time difference between Vietnam and the USA during World Cup 2026?

It depends on the host city. Vietnam (ICT, UTC+7) is 11 hours ahead of the US East Coast (EDT, UTC-4), 13 hours ahead of the US Central region (CDT, UTC-6), and 14 hours ahead of the US West Coast (PDT, UTC-7). There is no daylight saving adjustment in Vietnam.

Which World Cup 2026 matches kick off at a reasonable hour in Vietnam?

Matches starting at 09:00 to 11:00 Vietnam time are the most convenient for daytime viewing. These are typically the mid-morning US East Coast or late-morning Central kick-offs. Of the 104 matches, around five kick off in the evening Vietnam time (17:00 to 23:00) and 44 start in morning hours (07:00 to 12:00). The remaining 55 fall overnight.

Arriving in Vietnam During the Tournament

June and July are the busiest months of the year at Vietnam’s international airports. Evening international arrivals regularly face immigration queues of 60 to 90 minutes. After a long-haul flight, that is the last place you want to spend the first hour of your Vietnam trip.

Fast Track Vietnam puts a dedicated agent at your gate the moment you land. They walk you through priority immigration lanes and get you through immigration in 10 to 20 minutes. We are trusted by over 10,000 travellers every month and recognised as Vietnam’s gold standard for fast track services by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Skip the queue and join the football lovers crowd. Book your fast track service here.