World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, kick off times, where to watch, confirmed news updates and full France squad
After top-scoring in La Liga and the Champions League last season, Kylian Mbappe is aiming to reach the final at a third successive edition of the World Cup with two-time champions France.
Now 27, Mbappe scored in Les Bleus’ 4-2 win over Croatia in the 2018 decider and hit a hat-trick against Argentina in the 2022 final, although Didier Deschamps’ side lost on penalties.
The captain failed to score in three international appearances immediately before the 2026 finals, having netted in each of his previous seven games for France for a total of eight goals.
Here’s how Mbappe’s full confirmed and potential schedule looks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. You can also find out the latest UK TV schedule for every game here.
Mbappe World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off times
France face Senegal, Iraq and Norway during the group stage. Here’s when those games take place and their potential subsequent fixtures.
| Date | Match | Result | Stage | Time (BST) | ET | PT | Channel |
| June 16 | Senegal | Group | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC | |
| June 22 | Iraq | Group | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | BBC | |
| June 26 | Norway | Group | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | ITV | |
| June 30 / July 1, 2, 3 | TBC | Round of 32 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 4/5/6/7 | TBC | Round of 16 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 9/10/11 | TBC | Quarter-finals | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 14/15 | TBC | Semi-finals | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 18 | TBC | Third-placed match | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | TBC | |
| July 19 | TBC | Final | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC, ITV |
Is Mbappe playing in the World Cup 2026? Injury updates
The second half of Mbappe’s season was interrupted by injuries, sitting out the Clasico against Barcelona in May in one of two games he missed after suffering a hamstring issue.
Some Madrid fans took exception when the Paris Saint-Germain all-time top scorer went on holiday in May rather than continuing his injury rehabilitation in the Spanish capital, with a petition calling for Mbappe to be sold.
He missed seven games in all competitions with a knee problem but completed 90 minutes for France for the first time since November in their 3-1 friendly win over Northern Ireland in their final friendly before the World Cup on June 8.
Mbappe will be hoping for better luck than he had at EURO 2024, when he missed France’s second match of the tournament after breaking his nose in their first match of the tournament.
A goal in the subsequent 1-1 draw with Poland proved Mbappe’s only goal of a tournament France exited at the semi-final stage.
Kylian Mbappe next match at FIFA World Cup 2026
Mbappe’s next match at the World Cup is set to be in France’s opener against Senegal at the MetLife Stadium in New York on June 16 at 20:00 BST.
Will Mbappe win the 2026 World Cup?
France are among the favourites to win the World Cup and have a gifted squad featuring many of the best players from around Europe, led by their prolific captain and focal point.
Paris Saint-Germain all-time top scorer Mbappe was the leading marksman in UEFA World Cup qualifying Group D, which also featured Ukraine, Iceland – the only team to stop France winning, as hosts holding them to a draw – and Azerbaijan.
Fellow forward Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d’Or after playing an inspirational role in PSG’s Champions League triumph alongside club and international teammates Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.
A 1998 World Cup and EURO 2000 winner with France as a midfielder, manager Deschamps will leave his role after 14 years following the finals, having guided his country to 2018 World Cup glory, the 2021 Nations League title and the final of EURO 2016.
Spain, England, Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Germany are among the likeliest candidates France will have to beat to the title if they are to give Deschamps a dream send-off.
World Cup 2026: Full France squad
Mbappe leads a squad featuring five PSG players and seven from the Premier League.
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (Milan), Robin Risser (Lens), Brice Samba (Rennes)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (PSG), Theo Hernandez (Al-Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamenaco (Bayern Munich)
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Desire Doue (PSG), Michael Olise (Bayern), Kylian Mbappe (Madrid), Jean-Phillipe Mateta (Palace), Marcus Thuram (Inter)
