The FIFA World Cup 2026 arrives in North America as the biggest tournament in history. The United States co-hosts this massive event with Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
American fans can watch all 104 matches through multiple TV channels and streaming platforms. This guide shows you exactly how to watch every game without missing a single moment.
Quick Answer: Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026
| Viewing Option | Channels/Services | Coverage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free TV | FOX Network | 69 matches | Free |
| Cable/Satellite | FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Universo | All 104 matches | Varies by provider |
| English Streaming | FOX Sports App | All 104 matches | Free with cable login |
| Spanish Streaming | Peacock Premium | All 104 matches | $7.99/month |
| Cable Alternatives | Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling TV | All matches available | $45.99-$84.99/month |
FOX Sports broadcasts all English coverage while Telemundo handles Spanish commentary. You can watch through traditional TV, streaming apps or cable replacement services.
Tournament Basics You Need to Know
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks several historic firsts. Three nations host the tournament together for the first time. The expanded format features 48 teams instead of the traditional 32 teams.
Key Tournament Facts:
- Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
- Total Matches: 104 games (40 more than previous tournaments)
- Format: 12 groups of 4 teams each
- Advancement: Top 2 from each group plus 8 best third-place teams
- Final Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Official Draw: December 5, 2025 at Kennedy Center, Washington DC
The United States automatically qualified as a host nation. This marks the first World Cup on American soil since 1994. The expanded format means more matches, more viewing opportunities and more excitement for American fans.
TV Channels Broadcasting World Cup 2026
FOX Sports (English Coverage)
FOX Sports owns exclusive English-language broadcasting rights for every World Cup 2026 match in the United States.
- FOX broadcast network airs 69 matches free over the air. You can watch these games with a basic TV antenna at zero monthly cost. This represents the most World Cup matches ever shown on free broadcast television.
- FS1 shows 35 matches on cable and satellite TV for subscribers.
- FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com stream all 104 matches live online. You need to log in with your cable or satellite provider credentials to access the streams.
All FOX coverage includes pre-game shows, halftime analysis and post-game interviews with expert commentators.
Telemundo (Spanish Coverage)
- Telemundo broadcasts 92 matches with full Spanish commentary and expert studio analysis.
- Universo airs the remaining 12 matches in Spanish.
- Peacock Premium streams all 104 matches in Spanish for $7.99 monthly with no cable subscription required.
- Telemundo app offers free streaming of all 92 Telemundo matches when you authenticate with your cable provider login.
All Spanish-language coverage features experienced commentators and comprehensive pre-match and post-match shows.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 for Free in USA?
Free Over-the-Air Broadcast
FOX shows 69 World Cup matches on free broadcast television. You only need an HD antenna that costs between $20-50 at any electronics store.
Steps to watch free:
- Purchase an HD antenna from stores like Best Buy, Walmart or Amazon
- Connect the antenna to your TV
- Run a channel scan on your TV settings
- Find FOX in your local channel lineup
- Watch 69 matches including major games at zero monthly cost
The 69 matches on FOX include group stage games, knockout rounds and the championship final. This provides substantial coverage without any subscription.
Free Streaming Trial Strategy
Most streaming services offer free trial periods. You can time these trials strategically to watch important matches without paying.
Trial strategy tips:
- Sign up for Fubo or YouTube TV free trial before knockout rounds begin
- Watch matches during the 7-day trial period
- Cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges
- Use a different email address for a second trial during the finals
This approach works best for knockout rounds, semi-finals and the championship match. Just remember to mark your calendar to cancel before billing starts.
Best Streaming Services for World Cup 2026
| Service | Monthly Price | English Coverage | Spanish Coverage | Free Trial | DVR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fubo | $84.99 | ✅ FOX, FS1 | ✅ Telemundo, Universo | 7 days | Unlimited |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | ✅ FOX, FS1 | ✅ Telemundo | 5-14 days | Unlimited |
| Sling TV Blue | $45.99 | ✅ FOX, FS1 | ❌ No Spanish | None | 50 hours |
| Peacock Premium | $7.99 | ❌ No English | ✅ All matches | None | Not applicable |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99 | ✅ FOX, FS1 | ✅ Telemundo | 3 days | Unlimited |
Fubo
Fubo offers the best overall value for serious soccer fans. The service costs $84.99 monthly for the Pro plan.
What you get:
- FOX and FS1 for English coverage
- Telemundo and Universo for Spanish coverage
- 219+ total channels including sports, news and entertainment
- Unlimited cloud DVR storage
- 10 simultaneous streams at home plus 3 mobile streams
- 7-day free trial for new subscribers
Regional sports fee notice: Some areas pay an additional $12-16 monthly for regional sports networks. Check your zip code during signup to see exact pricing.
Fubo specializes in sports content and provides the most comprehensive soccer coverage of any streaming service. The unlimited DVR lets you record every match and watch later.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV costs $82.99 per month and includes over 130 channels. The service recently raised prices from $72.99 in January 2025.
What you get:
- FOX and FS1 for English World Cup coverage
- Telemundo for Spanish World Cup coverage
- Unlimited DVR storage with no recording limits
- 3 simultaneous streams
- 6 household accounts for family sharing
- Works on smart TVs, phones, tablets and computers
- Free trial varies from 5-14 days depending on promotions
New customer deal: First-time subscribers often get $20-30 off during the first three months. Check the YouTube TV website for current promotions.
YouTube TV provides the best all-around streaming experience beyond just soccer. The unlimited DVR and multiple user accounts make it ideal for families.
Sling TV
Sling TV Blue costs $45.99 monthly and represents the most budget-friendly cable alternative. The service recently introduced Sling Select at $19.99 monthly for basic channels.
Sling TV Blue includes:
- FOX and FS1 for English World Cup coverage
- 40+ total channels including news and entertainment
- 50 hours of cloud DVR storage (free)
- 3 simultaneous streams
- First month often discounted by 50%
Important limitation: Sling TV Blue does not include Telemundo or Universo. You will not get Spanish-language World Cup coverage with this service.
DVR upgrade: Add unlimited DVR storage for $5 monthly if you need more recording space.
Choose Sling TV only if you want English coverage on a tight budget and do not care about Spanish commentary options.
Peacock Premium
Peacock Premium costs just $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. This makes it the cheapest way to watch every World Cup match.
What you get:
- All 104 matches in Spanish with professional commentary
- 80,000+ hours of additional content
- NBC and Bravo shows next day after airing
- Live sports including Premier League soccer
- 3 simultaneous streams
- 6 user profiles for family members
Peacock Premium Plus: Upgrade to $13.99 monthly for ad-free viewing and download capability for offline watching.
Student discount: College students pay only $2.99 monthly for the first year when verified through SheerID.
No free trial: Peacock eliminated its free trial in 2021. You must pay from day one. However, Instacart+ members ($10 monthly) get Peacock Premium included free.
Peacock works perfectly for Spanish-speaking households or bilingual fans who want complete coverage at minimal cost.
Which Service Should You Choose?
- Pick Fubo for best soccer value with both languages at reasonable cost.
- Pick YouTube TV for unlimited DVR and multi-device streaming.
- Pick Sling TV for basic English coverage at lowest cable alternative price.
- Pick Peacock for complete Spanish coverage at minimal cost.
- Pick free antenna for major matches on FOX with zero monthly fees.
Watching on Your Phone or Tablet
Mobile Apps Available
FOX Sports App
- Free download on iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play)
- All 104 matches in English with live streaming
- Requires cable or satellite provider login credentials
- Includes full match replays and highlight clips
- Real-time scores and statistics
Telemundo App
- Free download on iOS and Android devices
- 92 matches in Spanish with expert commentary
- Requires cable provider authentication to stream live
- On-demand full match replays available
- Push notifications for match start times
Peacock App
- Available on iOS and Android platforms
- All 104 matches in Spanish
- Requires $7.99 monthly subscription only
- No cable login needed
- Clean interface and easy navigation
Mobile Viewing Features
All three apps support Chromecast and AirPlay technology for casting to TV screens. You can start watching on your phone and seamlessly transfer to your television.
Data usage warning: Streaming one full 90-minute match in HD quality consumes approximately 2-3GB of mobile data. Connect to WiFi whenever possible to avoid expensive overage charges from your cellular provider.
Download apps at least one week before the tournament starts. This gives you time to test login credentials and troubleshoot any technical issues before the first match.
World Cup 2026 Schedule Overview
| Tournament Stage | Dates | Number of Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | June 11 – July 3, 2026 | 72 matches |
| Round of 32 | July 4-7, 2026 | 16 matches |
| Round of 16 | July 8-11, 2026 | 8 matches |
| Quarter-finals | July 15-16, 2026 | 4 matches |
| Semi-finals | July 18, 2026 | 2 matches |
| Final | July 19, 2026 | 1 match |
The complete match schedule with specific times releases after the December 5, 2025 draw ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. FIFA will announce all kickoff times and stadium assignments at that time.
Time Zone Viewing Guide:
- Eastern Time: Afternoon matches 1:00-4:00 PM, evening matches 7:00-10:00 PM
- Central Time: Midday matches 12:00-3:00 PM, evening matches 6:00-9:00 PM
- Mountain Time: Late morning matches 11:00 AM-2:00 PM, afternoon matches 5:00-8:00 PM
- Pacific Time: Morning matches 10:00 AM-1:00 PM, afternoon matches 4:00-7:00 PM
Matches will air throughout the day to accommodate viewers across all US time zones. Major knockout matches typically schedule for prime evening viewing in Eastern time.
FAQs About Watching World Cup 2026
Can I watch World Cup 2026 without cable or satellite?
Yes. Streaming services like Fubo ($84.99), YouTube TV ($82.99) and Peacock ($7.99) provide complete coverage without cable subscriptions. You can also watch 69 matches free on FOX with a TV antenna.
Are all USA national team matches on FOX?
Yes. FOX broadcasts every USMNT match with extensive pre-game and post-game coverage. These matches will likely air on the main FOX broadcast network for maximum viewership.
Do I need multiple streaming subscriptions?
No. One service covers all matches. Fubo or YouTube TV provides both English and Spanish options. Peacock alone works for Spanish-only viewers at the lowest cost.
Can I record matches to watch later?
Yes. YouTube TV and Fubo include unlimited cloud DVR storage. Sling TV offers 50 hours free or unlimited for $5 extra monthly. Record matches during work hours and watch later.
Will all 104 matches air live?
Yes. All matches broadcast live across FOX Sports and Telemundo networks with no tape delays. You can watch every game as it happens in real time.
What is the absolute cheapest viewing option?
Free HD antenna for 69 FOX matches costs nothing monthly after the initial $20-50 antenna purchase. Peacock at $7.99 monthly is cheapest for all 104 matches.
Does Peacock have English commentary?
No. Peacock offers Spanish-language coverage only. Use FOX Sports App or streaming services like Fubo and YouTube TV for English commentary.
Can I share my subscription with family?
Yes. YouTube TV allows 6 household accounts. Fubo permits 10 simultaneous streams at home. Peacock allows 3 concurrent streams. Check individual service terms for exact sharing policies.
What happens after the free trial ends?
Services automatically charge your payment method at the full monthly rate. You must manually cancel before the trial period expires to avoid charges. Set a phone reminder for the day before trial ends.
Tips for Best Viewing Experience
Before Tournament Starts:
- Test your internet connection speed (minimum 5 Mbps for HD, 25 Mbps for 4K streaming)
- Download apps and create accounts one week before June 11
- Verify cable provider login credentials work properly
- Buy HD antenna early if choosing free option
- Compare streaming service free trials and plan timing
During Tournament:
- Set phone calendar alerts for USMNT matches and knockout rounds
- Use DVR to record matches that air during work hours
- Split subscription costs with family members or roommates
- Follow @FOXSoccer on X (Twitter) and @TelemundoSports for real-time updates
- Join local watch parties for big matches at sports bars
Technical Setup Tips:
- Connect streaming devices with ethernet cable instead of WiFi for stable connection
- Clear app cache before major matches to prevent buffering
- Have a backup viewing option ready (antenna or different app)
- Test Chromecast or AirPlay functionality before tournament starts
- Keep devices charged and ready for mobile viewing
Money-Saving Strategies:
- Sign up for annual Peacock subscription ($79.99) instead of monthly to save $16
- Time free trials to start right before knockout rounds begin
- Cancel services immediately after tournament ends if you do not need year-round
- Look for student discounts if you qualify (Peacock offers $2.99 monthly)
- Split streaming subscription with up to 6 family members on YouTube TV
Final Thoughts
The FIFA World Cup 2026 brings the world’s biggest sporting event to American soil with unprecedented access. FOX Sports and Telemundo ensure every match reaches American viewers through multiple platforms. Choose your viewing method based on budget, language preference and desired features. Start planning now to avoid last-minute technical problems during the tournament.
