FIFA announced its slate of matches for next summer’s World Cup, taking place in dozens of cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Specific details and tickets are now available for matches in Seattle, at Lumen Field, and in Vancouver, at B.C. Place.
With Blaine and Birch Bay nestled right between two cathedrals for soccer set to be booked through June and into July, local residents are preparing for the throngs of international supporters to be commuting between the two locations.
Broadcasting soccer matches from the west coast to a worldwide audience means plenty of games will be kicking off early in the day, in order to line up for primetime in the European television markets.
In Seattle, the first group stage match will take place on Monday, June 15 at noon, and feature a stellar matchup between Belgium and Egypt. That game will likely feature the largest collection of world-class talent coming into Seattle, with both teams set to showcase legendary – if aging – superstars such as Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne.
Seattle’s next hosting duties will be for the hometown U.S. Men’s National Team, which will play Australia on Friday, June 19 at noon.
Qatar will play against the winner of the ongoing European qualifiers on Wednesday, June 24 at noon, and the final group stage match will be between Egypt and Iran on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m.
A round-of-32 match is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1 at 1 p.m., and a round-of-16 match is scheduled for Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m.
If the team can advance, the U.S. Men’s National Team would play its round-of-16 match in Seattle on July 6, likely against Belgium, barring an upset.
Up the road, B.C. Place is set to host seven matches, spanning a slightly longer timeframe over the summer compared to Seattle. The Canadian Men’s National Team is guaranteed two group stage games in Vancouver.
Australia versus a to-be-determined European qualifier will kick off the tournament in Vancouver on Saturday, June 13 at 9 p.m. On Thursday, June 18, Canada will take on Qatar at 2 p.m. New Zealand faces Egypt on Sunday, June 21 at 6 p.m.
The Canadian Men’s National Team will play again in Vancouver at noon on Wednesday, June 24 against Switzerland. The final group-stage game will be Belgium against New Zealand, Friday, June 26, 8 p.m.
A round-of-32 match is scheduled for Thursday, July 2 at 8 p.m., and a round-of-16 match will take place Tuesday, July 7 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are still available through FIFA’s official marketplace, and the organization announced it would open its third phase of ticketing on Thursday, December 11 (after press time).
For more information about tickets, pre-game celebrations, and local watch parties, visit bit.ly/4aK8Blj.
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