Starting lineups for World Cup matches are usually announced about 75 minutes before kickoff , once the official team sheets are submitted. In some coverage, you may see them described more loosely as “about an hour before kickoff.”

What to expect

  • Confirmed XI: the official starting eleven is typically locked in roughly 75 minutes before the match begins.
  • Pre-match buzz: predicted lineups often appear earlier from reporters and lineup sites, but those are not official.
  • Tournament squads: teams finalize their tournament squads much earlier than matchday, with official squad announcements handled separately from the starting lineup release.

Practical rule of thumb

If you’re following a match live, check for the official lineup about 60 to 75 minutes before kickoff. That is the window when the real starting XI usually becomes public.

TL;DR: World Cup starting lineups are generally announced around 1 hour to 75 minutes before kickoff.