The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the biggest tournament in history. How to watch FIFA World Cup 2026? Is this question that is on your mind? Whether you want to watch free on TV or stream every single match, here’s exactly where to find it in your country.
In this guide
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Rest of Europe
- Latin America
- Asia
- Middle East & Africa
- Australia & New Zealand
- Where to watch for free
- FAQs
Here’s How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026
United States
As one of the three host nations, the USA is one of the most important markets for this tournament. Rights are split between two broadcast groups — English and Spanish — covering both linear TV and streaming. This is where you can stream the FIFA World Cup.
🇺🇸English language
- Fox (TV)
- FS1 (TV)
- Fox Sports App
Fox holds English-language rights. Streaming via the Fox Sports app requires a TV provider login.
🇺🇸Spanish language
- Telemundo (TV)
- Peacock
- Universo
Telemundo/NBCUniversal holds Spanish rights. Peacock will stream matches — some requiring a paid subscription.
Cord-cutters note: You can watch Fox for free with an over-the-air antenna in most US cities. For everything on Peacock, a subscription starts at around $7.99/month.
United Kingdom
The UK remains one of the best places in the world to watch the World Cup — the entire tournament is free, split between the BBC and ITV.
🇬🇧BBC
- BBC One / Two (TV)
- BBC iPlayer
🇬🇧ITV
- ITV1 (TV)
- ITVX
100% free. Every match of the 2026 World Cup is available at no cost via BBC iPlayer or ITVX. Both apps work on smart TVs, phones, tablets, and web browsers.
Rest of Europe
Most European markets offer at least some free-to-air coverage, though premium streaming options are increasingly important for full tournament access.
Free-to-air
Pay TV
Streaming
Expected / unconfirmed
🇩🇪Germany
- ARD (TV)
- ZDF (TV)
- MagentaTV
ARD/ZDF carry key matches free. MagentaTV (Deutsche Telekom) expected to stream all 104 games.
🇫🇷France
- TF1 (TV)
- M6 (TV)
- beIN Sports
TF1 is the primary free-to-air broadcaster. beIN Sports holds premium rights.
🇮🇹Italy
- RAI (TV)
- DAZN
- RTVE Play App
RAI expected to carry selected matches free. DAZN likely primary rights holder — confirm closer to tournament.
🇪🇸Spain
- RTVE (TV)
- Mediaset España
- DAZN
RTVE and Mediaset España (Cuatro/Telecinco) share free-to-air coverage.
🇳🇱Netherlands
- NOS (TV)
- Ziggo Sport
- NOS.nl
🇧🇪Belgium
- VRT (Flemish)
- RTBF (French)
🇵🇹Portugal
- RTP (TV)
- RTP Play
🇸🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰Nordics
- SVT (Sweden)
- NRK (Norway)
- DR (Denmark)
🇨🇭Switzerland
- SRG SSR (TV)
- DAZN
Latin America
Latin America is one of the world’s most passionate football regions, and most markets have strong free-to-air coverage. Note that some deals are still being finalized ahead of the tournament — check your local broadcaster for the latest.
Please note: Broadcast rights in several LATAM markets are confirmed closer to the tournament. Details below reflect the best available information as of April 2026.
🇲🇽Mexico (host nation)
- Canal 5 / TelevisaUnivision
- TV Azteca
- ViX
As a host nation, Mexico will have exceptional coverage. ViX (TelevisaUnivision’s streaming app) is expected to carry live matches.
🇧🇷Brazil
- TV Globo
- CazéTV
- SporTV
- Globoplay
- YouTube
Grupo Globo holds comprehensive rights. Globoplay offers streaming for cord-cutters.
🇦🇷Argentina
- TV Pública
- DGO
- DSports
- TyC Sports
- DirecTV Sports
🇨🇱Chile
- DGO
- DSports
- Chilevisión
- Canal 13
🇨🇴Colombia
- Caracol TV
- DGO
- DSports
- RCN Television
- WIN Sports
🇨🇦Canada (host nation)
- CTV
- TSN
- RDS (French)
Bell Media holds rights. CTV carries selected matches free; TSN has full coverage.
Asia
Asia is home to some of the largest and fastest-growing World Cup audiences, with mobile streaming playing an increasingly dominant role alongside traditional TV.
🇮🇳India
- JioCinema
- Sports18 (TV)
- JioCinema App
Viacom18/JioCinema holds rights. India is one of the biggest mobile-first streaming markets globally for live sport.
🇨🇳China
- CCTV5 (TV)
- Migu (China Mobile)
China Media Group holds broadcast rights. Migu is a key digital streaming platform for live sports in China.
🇯🇵Japan
- NHK
- DAZN JP
- Fuji TV
- TV Asahi
🇰🇷South Korea
- KBS
- MBC
- SBS
- SBS On Demand app
🇮🇩Indonesia & SE Asia
- RCTI / Emtek Group
- TVRI
- Vision+ (streaming)
Southeast Asia is one of the fastest-growing mobile streaming regions for live football.
Middle East & Africa
MENA region
- beIN Sports
- beIN Sports Connect
beIN Sports is the dominant rights holder across the Middle East and North Africa.
🇿🇦South Africa
- SABC (TV)
- SuperSport
- DStv Stream
- SABC+ App
SABC carries selected matches free. SuperSport (DStv) has full rights across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Rest of Africa
- SuperSport / DStv
- New World TV
- SuperSport
- National broadcasters (varies)
Coverage varies significantly by country. Many national broadcasters hold partial free-to-air rights.
Australia & New Zealand
🇦🇺Australia
- SBS (TV)
- SBS On Demand
SBS carries all matches free, including full streaming via SBS On Demand. One of the best free deals in the world.
🇳🇿New Zealand
- Sky Sport
- TVNZ+
- Sky Sport Now
- ThreeNow (unconfirmed)
Sky Sport holds primary rights. Free-to-air options for the 2026 tournament are not yet confirmed.
Where can you watch the World Cup 2026 for free?
Across many markets — particularly in Europe and Oceania — you can watch the entire online soccer World Cup game without a subscription. Here’s a quick summary by region.
| Country / Region | Free to watch? | How | Link to the App – Android | Link to the App – iOS |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Full tournament | BBC iPlayer / ITVX | BBC iPlayer | BBC iPlayer |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Full tournament | SBS / SBS On Demand | SBS On Demand | SBS On Demand |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Key matches | ARD / ZDF | ARD/ZDF Sportschau App | ARD/ZDF Sportschau App |
| 🇫🇷 France | Key matches | TF1 / M6 | M6+ | M6+ |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Key matches | RTVE / Mediaset | DAZN | DAZN |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Key matches | RTP | Sport TV | Sport TV |
| 🇸🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰 Nordics | Key matches | SVT / NRK / DR | TV 2 Play | TV 2 Play |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Key matches | TV Globo | Prime Video | Prime Video |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Key matches | Canal 5 / TV Azteca | ViX | ViX |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Selected matches | SABC | DStv | DStv |
| 🇺🇸 USA | Some matches | Fox (OTA antenna) / Telemundo | Fox Sports App | Fox Sports App |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Selected matches | RAI (expected) | DAZN | DAZN |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Selected matches | CTV | TSN / RDS | TSN / RDS |
| 🇮🇳 India | Subscription needed | JioCinema (paid tier) | JioHotstar | JioHotstar |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | Subscription needed | Sky Sport | TVNZ+ | TVNZ+ |
Global free platform: FIFA+ (fifa.com) offers free highlights, replays, and behind-the-scenes content in every country. It’s not live matches, but it’s a solid second-screen companion worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start?
The tournament begins on June 11, 2026, and runs until the final on July 19, 2026. It is hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How many matches are in the 2026 World Cup?
For the first time, 48 teams will compete, resulting in 104 matches — a significant increase from the 64 matches played in 2022.
Can I watch every World Cup 2026 match for free?
It depends on where you live. Viewers in the UK (BBC/ITV) and Australia (SBS) can watch every single match free. Most other countries offer at least key matches free-to-air, with full coverage requiring a paid subscription.
What time zone are the World Cup 2026 matches in?
Matches will be played across the US, Canadian, and Mexican time zones. Kick-off times will generally be scheduled to suit both host-nation audiences and prime-time viewing in key markets like Europe and Brazil. Official schedules will be confirmed by FIFA.
Is FIFA+ free to use?
Yes. FIFA+ (available at fifa.com and on mobile apps) is free in all countries and offers highlights, replays, and exclusive content. It does not carry live matches in most territories.
Where can I watch the World Cup 2026 if I’m traveling abroad?
Most streaming services are geo-restricted to the country where you hold a subscription. If you’re traveling, check whether your home service has a travel mode or international access. Some services, like BBC iPlayer, are restricted to UK IP addresses.
Last updated: April 2026. Broadcast rights and streaming deals can change — we’ll update this guide as new information is confirmed. For the most accurate local information, check your national broadcaster’s website.
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