The decision to put the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on during a weekday has frustrated some soccer fans in the United States.
Amid so many doubts about just how much the American public would embrace the sport prior to a ball being kicked this summer, it is perhaps fair to say that the World Cup has gone down very well within the host nation.
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There has been a palpable sense of excitement even in cities not hosting any games, such as Chicago and Nashville among countless others.
Still, the US kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup have frustrated some supporters online.
World Cup semi-final kick-off times frustrate US-based supporters
Both World Cup semi-finals next week kick off at 3pm on a weekday, which is hardly helpful for those American-based fans who work a traditional 9-5 job.
That is despite the USMNT’s games against Bosnia and Belgium breaking prime-time TV records in the United States. Their loss to Belgium kicked off at 8pm ET, while their win over Bosnia in the round prior to that kicked off at 5pm CT.
With a large section of the American workforce likely to be busy when the semi-finals kick off, fans have expressed their disappointment.
One supporter said: “Host nations, that literally paid billions to host, should get consideration above them for kickoff times.”
Another said it was a “joke” before adding: “This is a HUGE semifinal. When you host, the marquee games go in your prime time. That is how the Olympics work, that is how past World Cups have worked. The host market gets the showcase window. North America is hosting and got skipped for a weekday matinee. What is even the point of hosting?”
“Timing of all the semis and the final are terrible,” read another response.
This supporter said: “What makes it worse is the next game is on Wednesday like I wanted to watch both games but I can’t even do it cause I’ll be stuck at work it’s so stupid.”
One fan claimed: “I also can’t believe they’re doing this.”
“Agree. It’s really silly not to cater to local audiences,” wrote another onlooker.
Other fans, however, defended the decision and claimed there was little point in catering to American fans when the bulk of the interest will come from Europe.
France will play Spain in Dallas on Tuesday before England meet Argentina in Atlanta a day later.
The 3pm kick-off times are good for a European audience, however. England will kick off at 8pm BST, while France and Spain will play at 9pm CET.
The final, meanwhile, is scheduled to kick off at 3pm EDT on a Sunday, which is obviously more US-friendly.
Read more:
‘Jude Bellingham is the best’ – Argentina fans admit England fears before World Cup semi-final
The only two events that had bigger US TV audiences than USMNT vs Belgium World Cup game
The hilarious way Jude Bellingham greeted Erling Haaland in the tunnel ahead of England vs Norway
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