Mundial 2026 Schedule June 20: Matchups, Times & Live Broadcasts

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off its fourth day of group-stage action on Saturday, June 20, with four matches featuring teams vying for advancement in the expanded 48-nation tournament. The biggest clash of the day pits Ecuador against Germany in a Group A showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, while Curazao and the Netherlands face off in Group E at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Japan and Sweden will meet in Group F at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and Costa Rica and Italy will square off in Group C at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Kickoffs begin at 1:00 PM ET (Ecuador vs. Germany) and 3:00 PM ET (all other matches), according to official FIFA schedules and broadcasters including CNN en Español, ELTIEMPO.COM, and Canal de Deportes.

The Ecuador-Germany matchup carries particular weight after Germany’s 4-2 opening-day victory over Costa Rica, which left them unbeaten but with a defensive vulnerability exposed. Ecuador, meanwhile, opened with a 2-1 win over Japan, with their lone defeat coming in a 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2022 World Cup. “This is our chance to make a statement,” Ecuador coach Gustavo Alfaro told reporters ahead of the match, adding that his team will target Germany’s high press and counterattacking style. The game will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Fox Soccer Plus and TNT, with Spanish-language coverage available on Univision and Telemundo.

In Group E, Curazao will look to build on their shock 1-0 win over Spain with a result against the Netherlands, who lost 2-1 to Argentina in their opener. The Dutch, managed by Ronald Koeman, will seek to avoid a second consecutive defeat after their 2022 campaign ended in the round of 16. “We need to be more clinical,” Koeman said in a pre-match press conference. “Curazao’s physicality is a challenge, but we’ve adapted before.” The match will air on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.

Japan and Sweden, both seeking to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2006, will clash in Group F. Japan, who opened with a 1-1 draw against Indonesia, will look to improve their record under coach Hajime Moriyasu, while Sweden, who defeated Ghana 3-0 in their opener, will aim to maintain their offensive rhythm. The match is set to be the highest-scoring of the day, with both teams averaging over 2.5 goals per game in their first two fixtures. Broadcasting details for this match include NBCSN and NBC Sports Network.

Costa Rica and Italy will face off in Group C, with both teams already assured of at least a share of the points after their opening victories. Italy, managed by Luciano Spalletti, defeated Georgia 2-1, while Costa Rica stunned Spain 2-1 in a shock result. The match will serve as a test for both teams ahead of their final group games, with Italy needing to avoid a second consecutive defeat to stay in contention for the knockout stage. The game will be streamed on Paramount+ and CBS Sports.

Why these matches matter
The results on Saturday will shape the knockout-stage picture. Germany’s win over Ecuador would secure them top spot in Group A, while a Curazao victory over the Netherlands would send a signal that underdog teams remain a threat in this expanded World Cup. Japan’s performance against Sweden could determine whether they advance as one of the best third-place finishers, while Italy’s result will influence their automatic qualification chances. According to FIFA’s official tournament projections, the top two teams from each group will advance directly, with the next four best third-place teams competing in a playoff round.

What to watch for

• Germany’s defensive adjustments: After conceding two goals in their opener, the Germans will likely deploy a more compact formation against Ecuador’s quick counterattacks.
• Curazao’s defensive organization: The Caribbean nation’s ability to contain the Dutch midfield will be critical, as they did against Spain’s press.
• Japan’s set-piece threat: With 40% of their goals coming from free kicks in recent friendlies, Sweden will need to tighten their defensive shape.
• Italy’s tactical flexibility: Spalletti’s decision to rotate players like Federico Chiesa or Gianluigi Donnarumma could hint at his plans for the final group games.

How to watch
All matches will be available on FIFA+ globally, with U.S. viewers able to tune in via Fox, ESPN, NBC, and CBS networks. For Spanish-language coverage, Univision, Telemundo, and ESPN Deportes will provide live streams. Official FIFA timings confirm kickoffs at:

• 1:00 PM ET: Ecuador vs. Germany (AT&T Stadium)
• 3:00 PM ET: Curazao vs. Netherlands (MetLife Stadium)
• 3:00 PM ET: Japan vs. Sweden (SoFi Stadium)
• 3:00 PM ET: Costa Rica vs. Italy (NRG Stadium)

Next steps
The group stage continues on Sunday, June 21, with matches featuring Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia, Poland vs. Mexico, France vs. Denmark, and Morocco vs. Croatia. Updates on standings and potential early eliminations will follow these results, as teams look to secure their positions before the knockout stage begins on June 24.

Sources: FIFA official schedules, CNN en Español, ELTIEMPO.COM, Canal de Deportes, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Univision, Telemundo