The party of the century is almost here. You probably remember where to watch the World Cup and how much fun that was.
However, the next one is going to be even bigger. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America, and it is going to be massive. We are talking about 48 teams instead of 32. That means we get a total of 104 matches to enjoy. More soccer. More drama. More goals.
It is time to get your snacks ready and your couch comfy. This guide will show you exactly how to watch World Cup 2026 live so you do not miss a single second. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just here for the vibes, I have you covered.
The Big Map: Where Will the Action Be?
First of all, let us talk about the locations. You might be asking, where will 2026 world cup be? For the first time ever, three different countries will share the hosting duties. The United States, Mexico, and Canada are teaming up for this one.
So, which cities will host world cup 2026? There are 16 host cities in total. In the United States, you can catch games in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Canada will host matches in Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will have games in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
The tournament will run from June 11 all the way to July 19, 2026. That is 39 days of non-stop soccer. The grand final will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Live in the United States
If you are in the U.S., you have plenty of options. FOX Sports is the official English-language home for the tournament. They plan to broadcast 340 hours of live programming. This is a huge increase from 2022.
Network TV and Cable
You do not even need cable for most of it. A record 70 matches will air on the main FOX network. The other 34 matches will be on FS1. Plus, an amazing 40 matches will be in primetime.
Additionally, if you speak Spanish, you are in luck. Telemundo will air 92 games, and Universo will show 12. You can also watch all 104 games in Spanish on Peacock.
Free Streaming Options
Believe it or not, you can watch some games for free. Tubi will simulcast the opening match in Mexico City and the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) opener in Los Angeles for free in 4K. They are even launching a special FIFA World Cup FOX Hub on May 10 to get everyone hyped.
4K Quality
Everyone loves a clear picture. Every single match will stream live and on-demand in 4K on FOX One. You can also find 4K streams on the FOX Sports App and through most major TV providers.
The Viewing Guide for Canada and Mexico
Our neighbors to the north and south have great coverage too.
In Canada, Bell Media holds the exclusive rights. You can watch the 104 games in English on CTV and TSN. For French speakers, RDS and RDS2 are your go-to channels. If you prefer streaming, the CTV Go and RDS Go apps will have everything you need.
In Mexico, Televisa has the big deal. However, there is a catch. Only about 30% of the games will be on free-to-air TV like Las Estrellas or Canal 5. The rest will be exclusive to their streaming service, ViX. A monthly subscription to ViX is about 149 pesos. On top of that, you might get a deal if you bundle it with Disney+.
Global Coverage: UK and Australia
Soccer is a global game. Therefore, the broadcasting reaches everywhere.
In the United Kingdom, the BBC and ITV are sharing the fun. It will all be free-to-air. ITV starts things off with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. They will also show England’s first match against Croatia. The BBC will have plenty of knockout matches and games featuring big stars like Messi and Mbappé. Both will share the final.
Down in Australia, SBS is your exclusive home. They are showing all 104 games live and free. You can watch on SBS, SBS VICELAND, and SBS On Demand. Because the games are in North America, many kickoff times will actually be quite good for Aussie fans. For instance, the final will be at 5 am AEST on July 20.
The First Week Schedule: Mark Your Calendars
Do not miss the start! Here is a look at the opening matches:
- June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa (Mexico City) – The big kickoff.
- June 11: South Korea vs. Playoff Winner D (Guadalajara).
- June 12: Canada vs. Playoff Winner A (Toronto) – Canada’s first game.
- June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles) – The USMNT begins its journey.
- June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland (San Francisco Bay).
- June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco (New York New Jersey).
- June 14: Germany vs. Curaçao (Houston).
- June 14: Netherlands vs. Japan (Dallas).
- June 15: Spain vs. Cape Verde (Atlanta).
- June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt (Seattle).
- June 16: France vs. Senegal (New York New Jersey).
- June 16: Argentina vs. Algeria (Kansas City) – See Messi in action.
Top Streaming Services for Soccer Fans
If you are a true fan, you might want more than just the World Cup. Soccer is scattered across many apps these days.
- Apple TV Plus: This is the home of Major League Soccer (MLS). Every match is included.
- Paramount Plus: The place for Champions League and Serie A.
- ESPN Plus: Great for La Liga, Bundesliga, and the FA Cup.
- Peacock: A must-have for the English Premier League.
- Hulu Plus Live TV: This is often called the best all-in-one bundle for 2026. It includes FOX, FS1, NBC, USA Network, and ESPN channels.
If you do not want a full TV plan, you can get the standalone FOX Sports app for about $20 a month during the tournament to watch every match in 4K.
Use the Official App for Everything Else
You should definitely download the official FIFA World Cup 26 app. It is a trusted companion for any fan. You can use it to track how to watch world cup 2026 draw live and get instant group updates.
The app features:
- Live scores and highlights.
- Line-ups and formations.
- Fantasy games to play with friends.
- Ticket information and updates.
- Personalized alerts for your favorite teams.
Gradually, more features like smarter stats and fan tools will be added as we get closer to the tournament. Some users have mentioned it can be a bit buggy with email logins, so keep that in mind.
Interesting Facts and History
This tournament is not just about the new; it has a lot of history. The first World Cup was in Uruguay back in 1930. Since then, it has grown into the biggest event on Earth.
The 2026 TV deals are a bit unique. FOX and Telemundo actually got their contracts extended without other bids back in 2015. Some say this was compensation because the 2022 World Cup moved to the winter. Usually, the tournament is in June and July, which is when other major U.S. sports are in their offseason.
Dallas is going to be a very important city for this tournament. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas will host the International Broadcast Center (IBC). The city is spending about $15 million to serve as this media hub. Dallas will also host one of the semifinals on July 14.
Key Teams and Storylines
Everyone is wondering if the big stars will show up. Will Lionel Messi lead Argentina to another title? They play their first game on June 16. Can Kylian Mbappé and France take the crown back? They start against Senegal on June 16.
Keep an eye on the host nations too. The USMNT has a young, talented squad with players like Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. Their second big game is against Australia on June 19 in Seattle. Canada is hosting for the first time, which is a major milestone for them.
Finally, do not forget the underdogs. With 48 teams, we might see some incredible upsets. That is the beauty of the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the world Cup 2026?
You can watch it on FOX and FS1 in English or Telemundo and Peacock in Spanish if you are in the U.S.. In Canada, use CTV and TSN. In Australia, watch for free on SBS.
How to watch the world Cup live?
You can use a traditional TV with an antenna for FOX and Telemundo. For streaming, use the FOX Sports app, Peacock, or ViX depending on your country. Tubi will also have some free matches.
How to watch the T20 World Cup 2026?
They focus entirely on the 2026 FIFA World Cup for soccer. You may want to check sports news sites specifically for cricket broadcasting rights.
Concluding Words
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic event with 104 matches across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. You can catch most of the action on FOX, FS1, and Telemundo, or stream it via apps like Peacock, ViX, and SBS On Demand.
With the expansion to 48 teams and games happening in 16 beautiful cities, it is time to start planning your viewing schedule now so you do not miss the June 11 kickoff.
