Group G

Group G at the FIFA World Cup 2026 spans 6 timezones, from UTC+13 (New Zealand) to UTC+2 (Egypt). The four nations, Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, represent four continents. New Zealand supporters hold the most extreme timezone position of any fanbase in Group G, watching matches that start in the early hours of the Pacific morning from the other side of the international date line. Matches are concentrated on the US West Coast and Canada at PDT (UTC-7).

The Timezone Picture

Belgian fans watch in CEST (UTC+2), nine hours ahead of PDT. Egyptian fans also observe EET (UTC+2) in summer, sharing Belgium’s clock. Iranian supporters sit at IRST (UTC+3:30), ten and a half hours ahead. New Zealand fans are at NZST (UTC+12), nineteen hours ahead. A 12:00 PM PDT kickoff in Seattle is 9:00 PM in Brussels, Cairo, and nearly midnight in Tehran. In Auckland, that same match starts at 7:00 AM the following day.

Full Match Schedule

Who Watches Comfortably?

New Zealand fans have the most viewer-friendly schedule in Group G despite being the furthest away. Matches at 6:00 PM PDT translate to 1:00 PM NZST, a perfect early afternoon slot. Even the 8:00 PM PDT finales land at 3:00 PM Auckland time. New Zealand watches the entire group in daylight hours.

Belgian and Egyptian fans share identical viewing times and get solid 9:00 PM local start times for the opening rounds. The June 26 finales at 8:00 PM PDT push to 5:00 AM CEST and EET, requiring an all-nighter or early morning wake-up for the decisive group matches.

Iranian fans face a consistent late-night pattern. The opener at 6:00 PM PDT starts at 4:30 AM IRST. The Belgium match at 12:00 PM PDT is 10:30 PM Tehran time, the best slot of the group. The finale at 8:00 PM PDT is 6:30 AM IRST.

Venues

Group G matches are played at Lumen Field (Seattle, PDT/UTC-7), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles, PDT/UTC-7), and BC Place (Vancouver, PDT/UTC-7). All three venues share Pacific Daylight Time. The western concentration means Group G is the most convenient cluster for fans in Australia, New Zealand, and East Asia, while simultaneously being the hardest group for European viewers.

Timezone Conflict Index

Belgium and Egypt share the same viewing schedule, with 9:00 PM local starts for the first two matchdays and an impossible 5:00 AM finale. New Zealand has genuinely good timing throughout. Iran sits in between, with one reasonable slot and two very late nights.

For group analysis and match previews, see whensport.com.