With seven Liverpool players heading to the World Cup, there will be plenty for supporters to get their teeth into over the next month.
The Reds have seven players competing across five different teams, with one of them captaining their nation in North America.
This will be the largest ever edition of the World Cup, as 48 teams play 104 matches, culminating with the final on July 19, just six days before Liverpool kick off their pre-season against Sunderland in Nashville.
With so many games happening and kick-off times at all hours of the night, here is your guide to watching the 2026 World Cup as a Liverpool supporter.
Who is going?
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. Back row L-R: goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo. Front row L-R: Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Aké, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As mentioned, seven current Liverpool players will be at the World Cup, with Virgil van Dijk captaining the Netherlands.
The Reds have three players, Van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, in the Dutch squad, but Jeremie Frimpong will not be present after being left out by coach Ronald Koeman.
The Netherlands are in Group F alongside Japan and Sweden, who will have Alexander Isak playing up front.
Wataru Endo travelled with the Japan squad but has been forced to pull out due to injury.
Brazil will garner the usual attention that comes with being five-time winners; Alisson should start in goal for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
New Liverpool signing Alexis Mac Allister is keen to add more trophies to the World Cup he won with Argentina last winter (Mike Egerton/PA)
Fellow South American Alexis Mac Allister is also back at the World Cup, having triumphed last time with Argentina. Algeria, Austria and Jordan are their Group J opponents.
Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz should act as the talisman for Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany side, as they look to win their first World Cup since 2014.
Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson will also be playing, the latter facing Alisson‘s Brazil in the last game of Group C.
Scotland have faced Brazil in World Cups four times, losing on each occasion, so Robertson will be hoping to change the story as the nations meet on June 24.
SEVILLE, SPAIN - JUNE 14: Viktor Claesson of Sweden replaces team mates Alexander Isak during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Spain and Sweden at the La Cartuja Stadium on June 14, 2021 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago - UEFA)
Two days later, Japan and Sweden meet in what could be a Group F decider on June 26.
Finally, we all want to see Wirtz in full flow and the best opportunity may be as Germany face the Ivory Coast on June 20.
There is extra interest for Liverpool fans in Toronto that night, as Liverpool-linked Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure likely line up on the wings for the opposition.
Key dates to note
A general view of the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. Picture date: Sunday December 18, 2022. Picture date: Sunday December 18, 2022.
The kick-off times aren’t ideal for European audiences, so make sure to pencil in the games you most want to watch in order to allow yourself to catch up on sleep when there are less important fixtures!
There are five key games to bookmark for the group stages, beginning on June 14 as Liverpool’s Dutch contingent face Japan.
Their second game is also one to watch, as the Netherlands come up against Sweden and Isak on June 20.
Kicking off three hours later will be Wirtz, as he faces the Ivory Coast with Germany in Toronto.
The final round of group games will see Scotland face Brazil on June 24, while Japan vs. Sweden will also be of note to Reds on June 26.
Florian Wirtz (Image: Eibner-Pressefoto/Sascha Walther Credit: dpa/Alamy Live News)
Here are the matches Liverpool fans should make a note to watch in the group stages:
• Netherlands vs. Japan – June 14 – 9pm
• Netherlands vs. Sweden – June 20 – 6pm
• Germany vs. Ivory Coast – June 20 – 9pm
• Scotland vs. Brazil – June 24 – 11pm
• Japan vs. Sweden – June 26 – 12am
Here are the dates for the knockout stages:
Round of 32: June 28 – July 3
Round of 16: July 4 – July 7
Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11
Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15
Final: July 19
Netherlands: Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo & Ryan Gravenberch
World Cup 2026: Netherlands Fixtures
Netherlands vs. Japan
Group F • Dallas Stadium
June 14 • 9pm
ITV
Netherlands vs. Sweden
Group F • Houston Stadium
June 20 • 6pm
BBC
Tunisia vs. Netherlands
Group F • Kansas City Stadium
June 26 • 12am
BBC
*All times BST
Brazil: Alisson
World Cup 2026: Brazil Fixtures
Brazil vs. Morocco
Group C • New York/New Jersey Stadium
June 13 • 11pm
BBC
Brazil vs. Haiti
Group C • Philadelphia Stadium
June 20 • 1:30am
ITV
Scotland vs. Brazil
Group C • Miami Stadium
June 24 • 11pm
BBC
*All times BST
Germany: Florian Wirtz
World Cup 2026: Germany Fixtures
Germany vs. Curacao
Group E • Houston Stadium
June 14 • 6pm
BBC
Germany vs. Cote d’Ivoire
Group E • Toronto Stadium
June 20 • 9pm
ITV
Ecuador vs. Germany
Group E • New York/New Jersey Stadium
June 25 • 9pm
BBC
*All times BST
Argentina: Alexis Mac Allister
World Cup 2026: Argentina Fixtures
Argentina vs. Algeria
Group J • Kansas City Stadium
June 17 • 2am
ITV
Argentina vs. Austria
Group J • Dallas Stadium
June 22 • 6pm
BBC
Jordan vs. Argentina
Group J • Dallas Stadium
June 28 • 3am
BBC
*All times BST
Sweden: Alexander Isak
World Cup 2026: Sweden Fixtures
Sweden vs. Tunisia
Group F • Estadio Monterrey
June 15 • 3am
ITV
Netherlands vs. Sweden
Group F • Houston Stadium
June 20 • 6pm
BBC
Japan vs. Sweden
Group F • Dallas Stadium
June 26 • 12am
BBC
*All times BST