HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ LIVE ON FOX
HOW TO WATCH THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ LIVE ON FOX
Your Complete Guide to Streaming Every Match on FOX, FS1 & FOX One
Published: June 2026 | Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is here, and it is unlike anything the sport has ever seen. For the first time in history, the planet's greatest football tournament is being co-hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — spreading the beautiful game across 16 stadiums, millions of fans, and an unprecedented 104 total matches. Whether you are a die-hard supporter, a casual viewer tuning in for the big games, or a cord-cutter trying to figure out the best way to watch, this guide gives you everything you need to catch every single minute of the action on FOX and its family of networks.
From the opening kick in Mexico City on June 11 through the historic Final at New York-New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on July 19, FOX Sports holds the exclusive English-language broadcasting rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That means every dramatic group-stage clash, every Round of 32 showdown, every quarterfinal, semifinal, and ultimately the World Cup Final itself will air live on FOX or FS1 — and stream live on FOX One. If you want to watch the World Cup in English, FOX is your home.
Why This World Cup Is Historic
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition of the tournament and is already setting records before many matches have even been played. This is the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams, up from 32 in previous editions. It is the first tournament ever co-hosted by three countries. The expanded field means 104 matches in total — 40 more than the 64 played in Qatar 2022 — creating a summer of virtually nonstop football. With games played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament stretches across multiple time zones, host cities, and cultures. Sixteen venues across North America are hosting matches, including iconic locations such as AT&T Stadium in Dallas, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
This North American spectacle is drawing record global attention. As U.S. team captain Tim Ream put it ahead of the tournament: "Imagine, with this World Cup, a Super Bowl every single day for five weeks. It's not an accident that 5 billion people will be watching." With Lionel Messi already setting the tournament alight with three goals in the opening round and Kylian Mbappé and France in full stride, the 2026 World Cup is living up to every promise.
Where to Watch: FOX Is the Home of the World Cup
In the United States, FOX Sports is the exclusive English-language broadcaster of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Every one of the 104 matches will air on either FOX (the flagship broadcast network) or FS1 (Fox Sports 1, a cable channel). Here is the breakdown of how coverage is split:
FOX — the main broadcast network, covering 70 of the 104 matches — is carrying the lion's share of the action. This includes the tournament's opening match, every United States Men's National Team (USMNT) group-stage game, all knockout-round matches from the Round of 16 onward, and the World Cup Final on July 19. FOX is available free over-the-air with an antenna in most parts of the United States, and is also included in virtually every cable, satellite, and live TV streaming package.
FS1 (Fox Sports 1) is handling the remaining 34 English-language matches, primarily featuring group-stage fixtures — many of which are midday kickoffs involving top international sides. FS1 is a cable/streaming channel and is included in most major TV packages alongside FOX.
FS2 rounds out the lineup as an additional resource for studio programming, pre-match analysis shows, and replays of earlier matches during heavy match days. While not airing live World Cup games, FS2 serves as a valuable companion channel for deep World Cup content throughout the tournament.
How to Stream: FOX One Is Your Digital Hub
If you want to stream the World Cup — whether on your phone, tablet, smart TV, laptop, or streaming stick — FOX One is the official streaming platform. FOX One (also accessible through the FOX Sports app) streams all 104 matches live and on-demand. Here is how to access it:
Option 1: Sign In With Your TV Provider (Free)
If you already subscribe to cable, satellite, or a live TV streaming service that includes FOX and FS1, you can stream every World Cup match on FOX One at no additional cost. Simply download the FOX One app or the FOX Sports app, select "Sign In with TV Provider," and enter your provider credentials. This works with a wide range of providers including Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Xfinity, Spectrum, and many more. Once linked, you have full access to every live and on-demand World Cup match all summer long.
Option 2: Fubo — The Best Standalone Streaming Option
For cord-cutters who don't have a traditional TV package, Fubo is widely regarded as the best all-in-one streaming solution for the 2026 World Cup. Fubo carries FOX, FS1, and FS2 in its base plans (Pro and Elite) with no extra add-on required. This means signing up for Fubo gives you complete, hassle-free English-language World Cup coverage out of the box. Fubo also offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers, which makes it easy to get started without any upfront commitment.
Beyond just the channels, Fubo brings several features that are particularly well-suited to watching a 104-match tournament spread across multiple time zones. Fubo's Multiview feature lets you watch up to four matches simultaneously on the same screen — ideal for the final matchday of each group stage, when two games in the same group always kick off at exactly the same time. Fubo's Unlimited Cloud DVR means you can record any match and watch it at your convenience, which is especially useful for early-morning kickoffs hosted in Mexico or West Coast cities. Fubo's apps are available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and game consoles.
Option 3: Other Live TV Streaming Services
In addition to Fubo, several other live TV streaming services carry FOX and FS1, giving you full World Cup access. YouTube TV is one of the most popular options, offering FOX and FS1 in its base plan alongside unlimited cloud DVR storage. Hulu + Live TV similarly includes FOX and FS1, with the added benefit of access to Hulu's on-demand library. DirecTV Stream carries both channels as well, with various plan tiers available. Sling TV includes FOX (in markets where it is available) and FS1 in its plans. All of these services allow you to sign in to the FOX One or FOX Sports app using your credentials to stream matches natively.
Option 4: Tubi — Free On-Demand Highlights
Even if you don't have a streaming subscription, Tubi (Fox's free, ad-supported streaming platform) offers a dedicated FIFA World Cup hub with round-the-clock match recaps, condensed highlights, and studio analysis pieces. While Tubi does not carry live matches, it is a great free option to stay on top of the action and catch up on goals and key moments throughout the tournament.
4K HDR Streaming: Watch in Crystal-Clear Quality
For fans who want the very best viewing experience, every one of the 104 World Cup matches is available to stream in native 4K HDR through the FOX One platform, the FOX Sports app, and via Fubo's Ultra package. To take advantage of this, you will need a 4K-compatible television display, a high-speed internet connection (typically at least 25 Mbps recommended for stable 4K streaming), and a streaming device or TV that supports 4K output. Apple TV and Samsung Smart TVs are particularly recommended for premium 4K streaming, as they are well-suited to handling high-bandwidth streams with maximum visual fidelity.
The Broadcast Team: Who You'll Hear on FOX
FOX Sports has assembled a world-class broadcast team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the top of the booth is acclaimed play-by-play announcer John Strong, widely praised for his passionate and precise match commentary. Pairing with Strong is former United States Men's National Team standout and analyst Stu Holden — the two are returning for their third consecutive men's FIFA World Cup together, having first partnered for Russia 2018 and then Qatar 2022. Their chemistry and football knowledge have made them the defining voices of the World Cup for American English-language audiences.
Beyond the match booth, FOX Sports has also invested heavily in studio programming around the tournament. After Hours with James Corden provides a late-night entertainment spin on World Cup moments, with celebrity guests, players, and soccer personalities breaking down the biggest storylines. Other notable shows include segments featuring NFL stars Rob Gronkowski and Jameis Winston, and an exclusive sit-down between Tom Brady and Zlatan Ibrahimovic reflecting on their legendary career journeys. FOX Sports' comprehensive coverage extends well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.
Today's Schedule: What's on FOX Right Now
The World Cup is currently deep in its group stage, with matches running daily across FOX and FS1. On Monday, June 22, 2026, the following matches are live:
- Argentina vs. Austria — 1:00 p.m. ET | FOX & FOX One | Dallas Stadium
- France vs. Iraq — 5:00 p.m. ET | FOX & FOX One | Philadelphia Stadium
- Norway vs. Senegal — 8:00 p.m. ET | FOX & FOX One | New York-New Jersey Stadium
- Jordan vs. Algeria — 11:00 p.m. ET | FS1 & FOX One | San Francisco Bay Stadium
Lionel Messi, who has already dazzled in his opening match with three goals, looks to push defending champions Argentina to the top of Group J. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé and France face Iraq in a must-win fixture to lock up Group I. Erling Haaland and Norway take on Senegal in a heavyweight clash, while a late-night FS1 game sees Jordan vs. Algeria round off the day's action. All four matches are live on FOX One.
The Road to the Final: Schedule Overview
The full 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19. After the group stage concludes, the expanded tournament moves into a Round of 32 — a new addition made possible by the 48-team format — before progressing through the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and ultimately the Final. Every match in the knockout stages from the Round of 16 onward airs exclusively on FOX (not FS1), ensuring the biggest games reach the widest possible audience.
The World Cup Final takes place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will be one of the most-watched sporting events in television history.
Tips for Getting the Best Viewing Experience
Here are a few practical tips to make the most of the World Cup on FOX this summer:
Set up your DVR: With matches running from midday through midnight ET across multiple time zones, the Cloud DVR on Fubo or YouTube TV is your best friend. Set it to record every World Cup match automatically so you never miss a game due to scheduling conflicts.
Use Multiview for group finales: On the final matchday of each group stage, both matches in a group always kick off simultaneously. Fubo's Multiview lets you watch both at once — perfect for those dramatic moments when two games are being decided at the same time.
Mark the World Cup hub as a favorite: In the FOX One or FOX Sports app, mark the FIFA World Cup hub as a favorite to receive custom kickoff notifications and quick access to live matches throughout the summer.
Use spoiler-free mode: If you recorded a match and want to watch it later without knowing the score, FOX One has a hide-score option that keeps results hidden until you're ready to watch.
Check FS2 for studio content: On heavy match days, FS2 carries pre-match analysis shows and replays of earlier matches. It's a great companion channel for fans who want nonstop World Cup content between live games.Spanish-Language Coverage: Telemundo & Peacock
Spanish-language coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States is exclusively handled by NBCUniversal. All 104 matches are airing live on Telemundo and Universo, with Telemundo broadcasting 92 of the 104 games free over-the-air. The remaining 12 matches are on the cable channel Universo. For Spanish-language streaming, every match is available live on Peacock (Premium and Premium Plus tiers) and via the Telemundo app for cable subscribers.
Final Word: Don't Miss a Match
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation sporting event taking place right here in North America. With 48 teams, 104 matches, the world's greatest players all competing at full throttle, and FOX Sports delivering every game in English across FOX, FS1, and the FOX One streaming platform, there has never been a better or easier time to watch the World Cup. Whether you're streaming through FOX One with your TV provider login, signing up for Fubo's free trial, or sitting down in front of your television to watch live on FOX — the football is right there waiting for you.
Head to FOXSports.com or download the FOX One app today to get set up, check today's schedule, and never miss a kick. The World Cup only comes around every four years — this one is in your backyard. Make the most of it.
Sources: FOX Sports | Fox.com | Fubo.tv | CBSNews.com | NBCNews.com
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