The 2026 World Cup is set to captivate audiences worldwide, with 48 teams competing across North America. From the meticulous planning of match timings to the various viewing options available, there’s a lot to keep track of. This guide will help you navigate the tournament with ease, ensuring you don’t miss any of the action.
Fifa’s meticulous planning extends to every minute of the tournament. Each match has a dedicated running order, detailing when teams and officials must assemble, enter the pitch, and when national anthems are sung. This information is crucial for broadcasters, especially those airing commercials, to ensure they don’t miss key pre-game moments. For instance, the match between Haiti and Scotland had a specific timeline, but delays occurred when the Haitian players were not ready on time.
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup
In the United States, English-language coverage of the World Cup can be found on Fox and FS1. For Spanish-speaking viewers, Telemundo and Universo will host the broadcasts. Streaming options are also available, with Fox ONE offering live matches for English speakers and Peacock for Spanish speakers.
Match Timings and Schedule
Matches are scheduled to start between 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. ET, spanning multiple time zones. The tournament will be held in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Some of the host cities include Inglewood, Santa Clara, East Rutherford, and Toronto, among others.
The group stage features 48 countries, with only 32 advancing past the initial round. Teams must finish in the top two of their group or be among the top eight third-place teams to proceed to the round of 32. The tournament kicks off on June 11 and runs through July 19, with the final game taking place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Key Match Schedule
Here are some of the key matches and their schedules:
- June 11Mexico vs. South Africa at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; South Korea vs. Czechia at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo
- June 12Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; United States vs. Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo
- June 13Qatar vs. Switzerland at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; Brazil vs. Morocco at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo; Haiti vs. Scotland at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo
- June 14Australia vs. Turkey at 12 a.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo; Germany vs. Curaçao at 1 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; Netherlands vs. Japan at 4 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador at 7 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo; Sweden vs. Tunisia at 10 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo
- June 15Spain vs. Cape Verde at 12 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; Belgium vs. Egypt at 3 p.m. ET on Fox, Telemundo; Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo; Iran vs. New Zealand at 9 p.m. ET on FS1, Telemundo
- June 16France vs. Senegal at 3 p.m. on Fox, Telemundo; Iraq vs. Norway at 6 p.m. on Fox, Telemundo; Argentina vs. Algeria at 9 p.m. on Fox, Telemundo
Streaming Services for the 2026 World Cup
For those who have cut the cord with traditional cable, several streaming options are available to catch all the World Cup action. Fox ONE offers every match live for $20 per month, while DirectTV’s MySports package provides access to Fox ONE and FS1 for $50 for the first two months, then $65 a month.
Peacock’s Premium plan, costing $11 a month, allows access to live matches on Telemundo and Universo, along with on-demand viewing. FuboTV’s Sports plan offers Fox ONE and FS1 live for $46 for the first month, then $56, with an additional sports package available for $5 a month. YouTube TV’s sports package, priced at $55 a month for the first year, includes Fox, FS1, and Telemundo.
With these comprehensive viewing options, fans can ensure they don’t miss any of the thrilling moments from the 2026 World Cup.
