Scotland fans who had gone 28 years without seeing their team play at a World Cup probably didn't begrudge a further two-and-a-half-minute delay before their game against Haiti got under way. But the delay in Massachusetts continued a noticeable trend at the 2026 tournament: none of the first eight matches kicked off on time. On average, those fixtures started three minutes late, with Thursday's opener between Mexico and South Africa the worst culprit at six minutes behind schedule.
So what is causing the tardiness? FIFA meticulously plans every detail of the build-up to each match, with a dedicated running order listing exact timings for when teams assemble in the tunnel, enter the pitch and stand for national anthems. But the expanded pre-match ceremony introduced for this World Cup appears to be a key factor. Instead of just the starting line-up, the entire squad now gathers in the centre circle for the anthems, with enormous flags displayed in each half. FIFA says the ceremony provides a "moment of unity, pride and emotion", but it is also more complex to stage. In the Scotland vs Haiti game, the Haitian players were not ready to take the field at the scheduled time, putting them 90 seconds behind before the anthems even began.
“World Cup 2026 matches are starting late. Here's why and what it means for UK viewers.”
Other significantly delayed fixtures also featured players entering the pitch late. Opening ceremonies for matches involving co-hosts Mexico, Canada and the USA had concluded well before kick-off and should not have caused problems, suggesting the main culprit is the expanded on-field pageantry. The only games to start within a minute of the official time were Australia vs Turkey (40 seconds late) and South Korea vs Czech Republic (51 seconds late).
For UK viewers, these delays matter because many matches are broadcast late at night or in the early hours. ITV, which handles coverage of some games, schedules pre-match analysis half an hour before kick-off, but a late start can disrupt viewing plans and broadcast scheduling. The delays also affect broadcasters who play commercials, as they rely on precise timings to avoid missing key pre-game moments. While a minute or two may seem trivial, the cumulative effect across a tournament could frustrate fans and broadcasters alike.
## Key questions answered
Q: Why are World Cup 2026 matches starting late? The primary reason is FIFA's expanded pre-match ceremonies, which involve the entire squad gathering in the centre circle for national anthems and large flags being displayed. These ceremonies are more complex to stage, and teams are often not ready to enter the pitch on time, causing knock-on delays.
Q: How late are the games starting? The first eight matches of the tournament started an average of three minutes late. The biggest delay was Mexico vs South Africa (six minutes), while Scotland vs Haiti was two and a half minutes late. Only two games started within a minute of the scheduled time.
Q: Will the delays affect UK TV coverage? Probably not drastically, but they can disrupt broadcasters' schedules. For example, ITV's coverage of some matches begins 30 minutes before kick-off, and a late start means more pre-match analysis or ads. Viewers streaming via ITVX or watching on BBC radio (for commentary) may notice slight adjustments.
## What happens next
FIFA is likely to identify the delays as an area for improvement. As teams, officials and organisers grow more familiar with the ceremony routines, punctuality may improve. However, the governing body has not yet announced any changes to the pre-match format. Fans can expect tighter enforcement of timings as the tournament progresses, especially for high-profile knockout matches.