- The FIFA World Cup 2026 runs from 11 June to 19 July across the USA, Canada, and Mexico — 104 matches in total
- 48 teams in 12 groups; the top two plus the eight best third-placed teams reach the Round of 32
- The knockout stage starts on 28 June, building to the final on 19 July at MetLife Stadium
- Most matches kick off late night and early morning in Malaysia (GMT+8) — ideal for local night bettors
- Maxim88 covers every fixture for football betting Malaysia, from match result to outright winner
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule at a Glance
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the largest tournament football has ever staged: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 host cities, and 39 days of action from 11 June to 19 July 2026. With three host nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — matches run across multiple time zones, which has a direct impact on kick-off times for Malaysian bettors.
This guide lays out the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule for fans following FIFA World Cup betting Malaysia: every group, the knockout bracket dates, what the kick-off times mean in Malaysian time (GMT+8), and the upcoming fixtures worth circling on your calendar. New to betting on the tournament? Start with our complete FIFA betting Malaysia guide. Whether you are planning your viewing or your betting slips, everything you need is below — and you can follow live data throughout on our football hub.
All 12 Groups
The 48 qualified teams were drawn into 12 groups of four at the final draw in December 2025. Here is the complete group line-up:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia |
| B | Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland |
| C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| D | United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye |
| E | Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia |
| G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| H | Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| I | France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway |
| J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| K | Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Several groups stand out for bettors. Group H pairs Spain with Uruguay, Group I puts France alongside Senegal and Norway, and Group L sees England drawn with Croatia — all likely to be tightly priced in the qualification markets.
Key Dates and Knockout Bracket
After the group stage, the tournament moves into an expanded knockout format that begins with a Round of 32 for the first time. Here are the key dates:
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| Group stage | 11 – 27 June |
| Round of 32 | 28 June – 3 July |
| Round of 16 | 4 – 7 July |
| Quarter-finals | 9 – 11 July |
| Semi-finals | 14 – 15 July |
| Third-place play-off | 18 July |
| Final | 19 July (MetLife Stadium, NJ) |
The Round of 32 is a new feature created by the 48-team format. For bettors, it adds an extra knockout round full of mismatches and potential upsets — fertile ground for both Asian handicap and outright "to reach the final" markets.
Kick-off Times in Malaysia (GMT+8)
Because the tournament is hosted in North America, kick-off times are shifted significantly for Malaysian viewers. As a general guide, evening matches in the United States fall in the small hours and morning in Malaysia. Expect most games to kick off roughly between 1am and 11am Malaysian time (GMT+8), with the biggest prime-time US fixtures landing in the early hours of the Malaysian morning.
For Malaysian bettors, this timing is a double-edged sword: the marquee matches are perfect for night owls but demand discipline, since betting late at night when tired can lead to rushed decisions. Always confirm the exact kick-off time of each fixture on Maxim88 before placing your bets, as times vary by host city and time zone.
Upcoming Fixtures to Watch
With the opening round of group games underway, the next wave of fixtures will start to decide qualification. Matches to circle for FIFA betting Malaysia include:
- Group H — Spain v Uruguay: A heavyweight clash between a technical European side and a battle-hardened South American team. Expect a tight Asian handicap line.
- Group I — France v Senegal: France's attacking talent against one of Africa's strongest sides; a potential goals market opportunity.
- Group L — England v Croatia: A repeat of past tournament drama, likely to be cagey and low-scoring.
- Group J — Argentina's campaign: The reigning champions' fixtures always attract heavy outright and handicap interest.
- Second-round group games for Brazil and Switzerland, who both drew their openers and now need a win.
As the group stage progresses, the "to qualify" and "group winner" markets become increasingly valuable, because final-round fixtures often hinge on what each team needs to advance under the eight-best-third-place rule.
Outright Betting Preview
The outright (tournament winner) market features the usual contenders. Traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain, and England head most books, while hosts the USA and Mexico carry the bonus of home advantage and familiar conditions.
Outright odds shift constantly with results and the shape of the knockout bracket. A smart approach for FIFA World Cup betting Malaysia is to watch how the bracket forms once the groups conclude: a favourable route to the final can make a mid-priced team excellent value, while a "group of death" path can lengthen even a top contender's price. For a full breakdown of how the opening results have already moved these markets, read our FIFA World Cup 2026 results review.
How to Bet the Fixtures on Maxim88
Getting set up to bet the World Cup on Maxim88 takes only a few minutes:
Create Your Account
Register on the Maxim88 registration page and verify your details. You must be 18+ to register.
Deposit and Claim Your Bonus
Deposit using Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank, Touch 'n Go, or GrabPay, and claim your welcome bonus on your first deposit.
Find the World Cup Section
Open the Sportsbook and navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section to see all upcoming fixtures, outright markets, and live games. Research form on our football hub first.
Choose Your Market and Stake
Pick your fixture and market — match result, Asian handicap, over/under, or outright — enter your stake, and the bet slip shows your potential payout before you confirm.
Track and Cash Out
Follow your bets in "My Bets." Live in-play markets are available for every match, with cash-out to lock in profit or limit losses. Winnings are credited automatically after settlement.
Alternative registration links: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3 | Link 4
Responsible World Cup Betting
A 39-day tournament with matches almost every day can encourage over-betting. Stay in control:
- Set a tournament budget and never exceed it
- Never chase losses across the long schedule
- Use deposit limits — Maxim88 lets you set daily, weekly, or monthly limits
- Avoid late-night tilt — do not bet impulsively when tired after a midnight kick-off
- Take breaks — you do not need to bet on every fixture
If gambling is becoming a problem, please visit our responsible gambling page or contact Maxim88's support team for self-exclusion and limit-setting options.