Senegal

Senegal fans watch the 2026 World Cup from Dakar (GMT, UTC+0). Their Group I matches kick off between 00:00 and 19:00 local time, with two prime evening slots and one midnight fixture.

What the schedule means for Senegalese fans

Senegal observes GMT year-round without daylight saving. Dakar sits 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time in June, meaning the East Coast afternoon kickoffs of Group I arrive at early evening in Dakar. The one later US kickoff pushes past midnight.

Group I local kickoff times in Dakar

• June 16: vs France at New York. 19:00 (Dakar)
• June 22: vs Norway at New York. 00:00 June 23 (Dakar)
• June 26: vs Iraq at Toronto. 19:00 (Dakar)

Two prime-evening slots for the group stage

The France and Iraq matches both land at 19:00 in Dakar, exactly when Senegalese fans will gather in neighborhoods, outdoor viewing spots, and the cafes and terraces of Plateau and the Almadies. Dakar’s football viewing culture is communal and outdoor-oriented, with crowds assembling around shared screens for major international matches.

The France vs Senegal match on June 16 carries weight beyond football. Many Senegalese players compete in Ligue 1 and across French football, and the two nations share a complex history that gives every sporting meeting between them cultural significance. A 19:00 Dakar kickoff brings the whole country together at the perfect viewing hour.

The Norway match at midnight is the one demanding commitment. For Senegalese communities in France and Italy, who are several hours ahead of Dakar, those same matches land at 21:00, 02:00, and 21:00 CEST.

Check Senegal time for live conversions throughout the tournament. For full match previews and analysis, see whensport.com.