Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, star players like Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo remain major draws for fans, though the tournament's schedule in the US, Canada, and Mexico presents unfavorable timings for Indian viewers, with several group stage matches occurring during nighttime hours; however, some games, including those featuring Messi and Ronaldo, will be broadcast during more accessible times. The article provides specific broadcast times for group stage matches involving Argentina (June 17th, 6:30 AM; June 22nd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 7:30 AM), Portugal (June 17th, 10:30 PM; June 23rd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 5:00 AM), Brazil (June 14th, 3:30 AM; June 20th, 6:00 AM; June 25th, 3:30 AM), and Spain (June 15th, 9:30 PM; June 21st, 9:30 PM; June 27th, 5:30 AM), offering a mix of early morning and late-night fixtures.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, star players like Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo remain major draws for fans, though the tournament's schedule in the US, Canada, and Mexico presents unfavorable timings for Indian viewers, with several group stage matches occurring during nighttime hours; however, some games, including those featuring Messi and Ronaldo, will be broadcast during more accessible times. The article provides specific broadcast times for group stage matches involving Argentina (June 17th, 6:30 AM; June 22nd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 7:30 AM), Portugal (June 17th, 10:30 PM; June 23rd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 5:00 AM), Brazil (June 14th, 3:30 AM; June 20th, 6:00 AM; June 25th, 3:30 AM), and Spain (June 15th, 9:30 PM; June 21st, 9:30 PM; June 27th, 5:30 AM), offering a mix of early morning and late-night fixtures.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, star players like Neymar Jr., Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo remain major draws for fans, though the tournament's schedule in the US, Canada, and Mexico presents unfavorable timings for Indian viewers, with several group stage matches occurring during nighttime hours; however, some games, including those featuring Messi and Ronaldo, will be broadcast during more accessible times. The article provides specific broadcast times for group stage matches involving Argentina (June 17th, 6:30 AM; June 22nd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 7:30 AM), Portugal (June 17th, 10:30 PM; June 23rd, 10:30 PM; June 28th, 5:00 AM), Brazil (June 14th, 3:30 AM; June 20th, 6:00 AM; June 25th, 3:30 AM), and Spain (June 15th, 9:30 PM; June 21st, 9:30 PM; June 27th, 5:30 AM), offering a mix of early morning and late-night fixtures.

Neymar Jr, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo remain the main attractions for many fans ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The timings of many of the group stage games are not favourable for Indian fans since they are happening in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Luckily, not all games are taking place during night hours — including fixtures involving Messi and Ronaldo.

Colombian singer Shakira will perform the official World Cup song "Dai Dai" at the opening ceremony in Mexico, FIFA said on Friday. The opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff between Mexico and South Africa.

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Shakira is also set to perform at the first-ever World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

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Here is when Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, and Spain will play their respective group stage games and when to watch them:

ARGENTINA

| Date | Match |Time

| ------------ | -------------------- |---------

| 17 June 2026 | Argentina vs Algeria |6:30 AM

| 22 June 2026 | Argentina vs Austria |10:30 PM

| 28 June 2026 | Jordan vs Argentina |7:30 AM

PORTUGAL

| Date | Match |Time

| ------------ | ---------------------- |---------

| 17 June 2026 | Portugal vs DR Congo |10:30 PM

| 23 June 2026 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan |10:30 PM

| 28 June 2026 | Colombia vs Portugal |5:00 AM

BRAZIL

| Date | Match |Time

| ------------ | ------------------ |---------

| 14 June 2026 | Brazil vs Morocco |3:30 AM

| 20 June 2026 | Brazil vs Haiti |6:00 AM

| 25 June 2026 | Scotland vs Brazil |3:30 AM

SPAIN

| Date | Match |Time

| ----------- | --------------------- |--------

|15 June 2026 | Spain vs Cape Verde |9:30 PM

|21 June 2026 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia |9:30 PM

|27 June 2026 | Uruguay vs Spain |5:30 AM

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