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[title]The FIFA World Cup is back, and this year's tournament is bigger than ever. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition is the first to feature 48 teams and a whopping 104 matches. That's more football, more drama and unfortunately for us in Thailand, a lot more late nights.
Whether you're planning to watch every game, follow Thailand's favourite teams or simply want somewhere lively to catch the final, here's everything you need to know about watching the World Cup in Bangkok.
Who's qualified?
A record 104 matches will be played in 16 host cities across this World Cup. The expanded format means 48 nations will compete for football's biggest prize, with debut appearances from teams including Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde and Curaçao.
Traditional powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Germany and Spain will all be there, alongside hosts USA, Canada and Mexico.
Sadly, Thailand did not qualify this year, dropping out after a very close head-to-head tiebreaker following a 2-1 defeat to China.
What time are the world cup matches in Thailand?
With matches being played across North America, Bangkok viewers will be dealing with some fairly anti-social kickoff times.
Expect most matches to fall into one of these windows:
Host city time Bangkok time
Afternoon games Midnight-3am
Evening games 5am-8am
Prime-time games 9am-11am
That means some fans will be heading to bed at sunrise, while others may decide that breakfast football is the healthier option.
Check the bottom of this article for the full game schedule.
As many of the biggest knockout matches are expected to fall into Bangkok morning hours, it actually makes it easier to watch than previous World Cups – although likely a little less boozy. While later night games are harder to catch, several bars have sought special exemptions to stay open extra late.
When is the opening ceremony?
This year will see not one, but three interconnected ceremonies taking place across Mexico, Canada, and the United States – all three sharing a common theme. The aim: to unite nations and showcase the culture, identity and creative talent of each country irrespective of what’s going on outside.
Mexico will kick off the tournament at the Mexico City Stadium, followed by ceremonies at Toronto Stadium, Canada and Los Angeles Stadium, LA, United States.
Opening Ceremony schedule, Bangkok time
Thursday June 11
Midnight – Mexico City Stadium (followed by Mexico v South Africa at 2am)
Friday, June 12
Midnight – Toronto Stadium (followed by Canada v Bosnia at 2am)
Saturday, June 13
6am – Los Angeles Stadium (followed by USA v Paraguay at 8am)
Where can I watch the World Cup in Bangkok?
Predictably, most of Bangkok’s westerner pubs are already set up for the big game, and despite the early morning hours, they’re cracking open the bar doors extra early (or simply never closing them) – all for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
On TV (and online)
UPDATE: JAS has officially secured broadcasting rights for FIFA World Cup 2026. MONOMAX subscribers can watch through existing packages, while new user deals are also available. JAS has also confirmed they'll share broadcast rights with public TV for up to 50% of the games, including opening ceremonies and the World Cup Final.
So far, Thailand has yet to secure an official streaming deal with FIFA, but rumour has it that Jasmine International Public Company Limited (JAS, Operator of MONO29) may secure the broadcasting rights in the coming days. Keep an eye on their social media announcements and MONOMAX – their online streaming platform – as word on the street is that they'll be our go-to, but only if an agreement can be reached.
A staple in the sports-bar lineup, The Sportsman is proudly showing all games on their screens – regardless of the time of day – with both the bar and kitchen running special hours to accommodate. And with 39 TVs and 8 projectors, you’ll never miss a kick.
The Sportsman Bar and Restaurant, Unit 10/22 Trendy Condominium, Sukhumvit Soi 13. Open 7am-3am (with extended hours for later games)
As one of Bangkok’s biggest sports bars, it makes sense that they’re going all out for the World Cup season. From Saturday June 13, they’re unlocking their doors early to screen the game, starting with the star-studded Los Angeles Opening Ceremony and initial tournament fixtures, streamed live on dozens of massive screens.
392/15 Sukhumvit Road, Sukhumvit 20. Open 7am-2am (June 13 starts from 6.30am, check other match schedules for special daily opening times)
Fan Zone first kicked off in 2018 as a pop-up viewing venue above Revolucion Cocktail, created to bring football fans together for the World Cup. Eight years on, it's built something of a cult following. For 2026, the team is taking over Blue Parrot Bangkok, screening every match of the tournament across giant projector screens, with extended kitchen hours, VIP zones and a crowd that takes its football seriously. Booking is essential.
21, 1 Soi Mek Sawat, Chong Nonsi. Doors open 11am on June 11 for opening ceremony and first fixtures
In true English pub fashion, The Old English Bangkok has long been a haunt for those who want to watch live games of footy and the like. It’s no surprise, then, that they’re opening extra early to show all the World Cup matches live again this year. Pub grub, beers on tap and lots of jersey-wearing fans are guaranteed.
1033 Sukhumvit 53/1, BTS Thong Lo Station, Sukhumvit Road. 8am-2am (later closing times for early morning games)
If you’re not feeling superstitious, then the Witch’s Oyster Tavern will have you covered for most games, paired with ice-cold beers, cocktails, drink specials, late night kitchens and live match coverage for the season.
20/20-21 Soi Ruamrudee. 1pm-3am (special opening times for games apply)
Another Irish classic that sits on Sathorn Soi 12, this Irish owned and operated pub will bring all you’d expect – pints, big meals and football chants. The jury’s out if they’ll open for every game, but kicking things off with the 2am Haiti vs Scotland game on Saturday June 13 implies they’ll be open late most weekends at the very least.
111 Sathon Soi 12 Alley, Silom. 8am-1am (special opening times for games apply)
The full world cup schedule, Bangkok time
Thursday, June 11
Midnight – Opening ceremony (Mexico)
Friday, June 12
2am – Mexico v South Africa
9am – South Korea v Czechia
Midnight – Opening ceremony (Canada)
Saturday, June 13
2am – Canada v Bosnia
6am – Opening ceremony (USA)
8am – USA v Paraguay
Sunday, June 14
2am – Qatar v Switzerland
5am – Brazil v Morocco
8am – Haiti v Scotland
11am – Australia v Türkiye
Midnight – Germany v Curaçao
Monday, June 15
3am – Netherlands v Japan
6am – Ivory Coast v Ecuador
9am – Sweden v Tunisia
11am – Spain v Cape Verde
Tuesday, June 16
2am – Belgium v Egypt
5am – Saudi Arabia v Uruguay
8am – Iran v New Zealand
Wednesday, June 17
2am – France v Senegal
5am – Iraq v Norway
8am – Argentina v Algeria
11am – Austria v Jordan
Midnight – Portugal v DR Congo
Thursday, June 18
3am – England v Croatia
6am – Ghana v Panama
9am – Uzbekistan v Colombia
11pm – Czechia v South Africa
Friday, June 19
2am – Switzerland v Bosnia
5am – Canada v Qatar
8am – Mexico v South Korea
Saturday, June 20
2am – USA v Australia
5am – Scotland v Morocco
7.30am – Brazil v Haiti
10am – Türkiye v Paraguay
Midnight – Netherlands v Sweden
Sunday, June 21
3am – Germany v Ivory Coast
7am – Ecuador v Curaçao
11am – Tunisia v Japan
11pm – Spain v Saudi Arabia
Monday, June 22
2am – Belgium v Iran
5am – Uruguay v Cape Verde
8am – New Zealand v Egypt
Midnight – Argentina v Austria
Tuesday, June 23
4am – France v Iraq
7am – Norway v Senegal
10am – Jordan v Algeria
Midnight – Portugal v Uzbekistan
Wednesday, June 24
3am – England v Ghana
6am – Panama v Croatia
9am – Colombia v DR Congo
Thursday, June 25
2am – Switzerland v Canada
2am – Bosnia v Qatar
5am – Morocco v Haiti
5am – Scotland v Brazil
8am – Czechia v Mexico
8am – South Africa v South Korea
Friday, June 26
3am – Curaçao v Ivory Coast
3am – Ecuador v Germany
6am – Japan v Sweden
6am – Tunisia v Netherlands
9am – Türkiye v USA
9am – Paraguay v Australia
Saturday, June 27
2am – Norway v France
2am – Senegal v Iraq
7am – Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
7am – Uruguay v Spain
10am – Egypt v Iran
10am – New Zealand v Belgium
Sunday, June 28
4am – Panama v England
4am – Croatia v Ghana
6.30am – Colombia v Portugal
6.30am – DR Congo v Uzbekistan
9am – Algeria v Austria
9am – Jordan v Argentina
Fixtures
Monday, June 29
2am – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up
Tuesday, June 30
3.30am – Group E winners v Group A/B/C/D/F third place
8am – Group F winners v Group C runners-up
Midnight – Group C winners v Group F runners-up
Wednesday, July 1
4am – Group I winners v Group C/D/F/G/H third place
8am – Group A winners v Group C/E/F/H/I third place
11pm – Group L winners v Group E/H/I/J/K third place
Midnight – Group E runners up v Group I runners-up
Thursday, July 2
3am – Group G winners v Group A/E/H/I/J third place
7am – Group D winners v Group B/E/F/I/J third place
Friday, July 3
2am – Group H winners v Group J runners-up
6am – Group K runners-up v Group L runners-up
10am – Group B winners v Group E/F/G/I/J third place
Saturday, July 4
1am – Group D runners-up v Group G runners-up
5am – Group J winners v Group H runners-up
8.30am – Group K winners v Group D/E/I/J/L third place
Sunday, July 5
4am – Winner match 74 v Winner match 77
Midnight – Winner match 73 v Winner match 75
Monday, July 6
3am – Winner match 76 v Winner match 78
7am – Winner match 79 v Winner match 80
Tuesday, July 7
2am – Winner match 83 v Winner match 84
7am – Winner match 81 v Winner match 82
11pm – Winner match 86 v Winner match 88
Wednesday, July 8
3am – Winner match 85 v Winner match 87
Quarter-Finals
Friday, July 10
3am – Winner match 89 v Winner match 90
Saturday, July 11
2am – Winner match 93 v Winner match 94
Sunday, July 12
4am – Winner match 91 v Winner match 92
8am – Winner match 95 v Winner match 96
Semi-Finals
Wednesday, July 15
2am – Winner match 97 v Winner match 98
Thursday, July 16
2am – Winner match 99 v Winner match 100
Bronze Final
Sunday, July 19
4am – Runner-up match 101 v Runner-up match 102
Final
Monday, July 20
2am – Winner match 101 v Winner match 102