Scotland manager Steve Clarke has given a wry assessment of the 2026 World Cup schedule, noting that a 2am kick-off for fans back home will be "difficult for kids" but a boon for pubs.
A Complex Draw and a Favourable Schedule for Travelling Fans
The final schedule for the first 48-team FIFA World Cup, to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, was revealed after a complex, two-day draw event in Washington. For the travelling Tartan Army, the itinerary is favourable, with Scotland's entire group stage based on the east coast of the US.
Scotland's first two matches will be played in Boston, at the 60,000-plus capacity stadium used by the NFL's New England Patriots. Their opening match in Group C is against Haiti on 9pm local time on a date in June, which translates to a challenging 2am start in Scotland.
"I'm sure the pubs will do a roaring trade," Clarke told Sky News. "Good for the adults. They'll be able to stay up late and watch it. Maybe a little bit more difficult for the kids but I'm sure a lot of Scottish kids will be sleeping in the morning after watching the games."
Contrasting Fortunes for Home Viewers
While Scottish fans face late nights, England supporters will benefit from more sociable viewing times. Every one of England's group games is scheduled to finish before midnight UK time.
England's Group L campaign begins against Croatia in the climate-controlled Cowboys stadium in Dallas, avoiding the potential for fierce 30C heat. Their subsequent matches against Ghana and Panama also have evening kick-offs in the UK, at 9pm and 10pm respectively.
Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission, expressed excitement at hosting England, stating the city was "really ready to welcome them" and was already planning to ensure enough beer was available.
Logistical Challenges and Tournament Structure
Clarke's immediate focus is on logistical preparations, stating the next job is to "find a suitable base" and ensure everything is right for the players to perform at their maximum.
The expanded 104-match tournament presents new challenges. The group stage alone will require 64 matches, up from the previous total of 64 for the entire 32-team tournament. All of Scotland and England's group games will be played in the United States, with the possibility of moving to Canada or Mexico only in the knockout stages, should they progress.
Fans now face the task of planning trips and budgeting, with FIFA using a dynamic pricing model for tickets, though fixed-price options will also be available. The final is scheduled for 19 July 2026 at a stadium in New Jersey, where England will hope to return.
