American soccer fans just got the best news of 2025. FOX Sports revealed it will broadcast an unprecedented 69 matches on free-to-air television during the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the most World Cup matches ever shown on broadcast TV in U.S. history.
This means you can watch the majority of the tournament completely free with just an over-the-air antenna. No cable subscription needed.
Breaking Down the Coverage Numbers
FOX will broadcast 66% of all World Cup 2026 matches on free television, a massive jump from just 53% in 2022. Here’s the breakdown:
- 69 matches on FOX broadcast network (free)
- 35 matches on FS1 (cable required)
- All 104 matches streaming on FOX One and FOX Sports App
- Over 340 hours of total programming
For comparison, FOX only aired 34 matches on broadcast TV during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 2026 tournament more than doubles that number.
What This Means for Viewers
You don’t need expensive cable or streaming subscriptions to watch most of the World Cup. If you have an over-the-air antenna (which costs just $20-50), a TV with a built-in tuner, or access to the FOX broadcast channel, you can watch 69 out of 104 matches completely free.
The remaining 35 matches on FS1 will require a cable subscription or streaming service, but the vast majority of the tournament remains freely accessible to everyone.
Tournament Details
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19, 2026. The tournament features 48 teams playing 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco Bay Area.
Streaming Options Available
FOX offers multiple ways to watch even if you prefer streaming:
FOX One: All 104 matches live for $20/month with no contract required.
FOX Sports App: Free streaming of FOX broadcast matches (TV provider login needed for FS1 matches). Available on iOS, Android, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
Several streaming services also include FOX and FS1, including DIRECTV Stream, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, and select Sling TV packages.
Historic Final Draw Coverage
FOX is also making history with its coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw on December 5, 2025. For the first time ever on U.S. broadcast television, FOX will air 3½ hours of live coverage starting at 11:30 AM ET from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The broadcast team includes veteran sportscasters Rob Stone and Jenny Taft alongside former U.S. Men’s National Team stars and analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden.
The Final Draw will reveal which teams face each other in the Group Stage, including matchups for the U.S. Men’s National Team.
How to Watch for Free
Getting set up to watch is simple. Purchase a digital TV antenna for $20-50, connect it to your TV, scan for channels, find your local FOX station, and enjoy 69 free World Cup matches. No monthly fees required.
U.S. Team Schedule
The U.S. Men’s National Team Group Stage matches are scheduled for June 12 in Los Angeles, June 19 in Seattle, and June 25 in Los Angeles. All USMNT matches are expected to air on the main FOX broadcast network.
The complete broadcast schedule will be announced after the December 5 Final Draw.
Why This Matters
FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks called this “the biggest production in our company’s 32-year history.” With the tournament taking place in convenient U.S. time zones and 69 matches available for free, FOX is removing every barrier to viewership.
This is the most accessible World Cup in U.S. television history. FOX Sports is ensuring that every American can watch the world’s biggest sporting event without paying a dime.
Mark your calendars for June 11, 2026, and get ready for six weeks of world-class soccer – most of it completely free on FOX.