FIFA World Cup 2026 TV Channels & Broadcasting Rights (Worldwide)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup becomes the largest football tournament the world has ever seen. Forty eight teams will compete across 104 matches in three different countries. This historic event takes place from June 11 to July 19 in 2026.
The United States hosts most of the matches across 11 cities. Canada welcomes fans to 2 host cities. Mexico opens its doors with 3 venues including the famous Estadio Azteca. The opening match kicks off in Mexico City on June 11. The final showdown happens at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Fans across every continent want to know one simple thing. Where can I watch the matches in my country? This complete guide gives you all the broadcasting information you need.
2026 FIFA World Cup Broadcasters & TV Channel List
Find your country below to see your official broadcaster:
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Andorra | M6 |
| Argentina | TVP, Telefe, TyC Sports |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT, N Sports |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| Colombia | Caracol Televisión, Canal RCN |
| Costa Rica | Teletica |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Czech Republic | ČT |
| Denmark | DR, TV 2 |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS |
| Europe (Multiple) | EBU |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France | M6 |
| Germany | ARD, Deutsche Telekom, ZDF |
| Guatemala | Chapín TV |
| Honduras | Televicentro |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Kazakhstan | Saran Media |
| Kyrgyzstan | Normaden Media |
| Korea | JTBC |
| Latin America | Vrio Corp. |
| MENA Region | beIN Sports |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| Mongolia | MME |
| Montenegro | Arena Sport |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Televideo |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV 2 |
| Panama | RPC, TVN |
| Paraguay | TyC Sports, Trece, Unicanal, GEN TV, Popu TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Poland | TVP |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Serbia | Arena Sport |
| Slovakia | TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | Arena Sport |
| Spain | Mediapro, RTVE |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Media |
| Tajikistan | Saran Media |
| United Kingdom | BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox, Telemundo |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Venezuela | Televen |
Related guide: How to stream World Cup 2026 from anywhere
Understanding World Cup Broadcasting
FIFA began selling broadcast rights back in 2015. The organization made early deals with networks in North America and other regions. These agreements locked in coverage years before the tournament starts.
Broadcasting rules differ from country to country. Many governments require major sporting events to air on free television. Public broadcasters must show important matches at no cost to viewers. This protects the right of all citizens to watch their national teams compete.
FIFA collects nearly $4 billion from broadcasting deals for this tournament cycle. The money funds player prize pools and helps develop football programs around the world. Broadcasting revenue keeps the sport growing in smaller nations.
North American Coverage
United States Broadcasting
Fox Sports controls all English language rights. The network shows every single match on FOX and FS1 channels. Fox invested over $400 million in this exclusive deal.
Telemundo brings Spanish language coverage to Hispanic viewers. The NBCUniversal network broadcasts all 104 matches with Spanish commentary. Fans can watch on Telemundo and Universo channels.
Streaming options give cord cutters plenty of choices. Peacock offers Spanish coverage starting at $7.99 per month. FuboTV provides both English and Spanish feeds for about $84.99 monthly. YouTube TV costs between $82.99 each month. Sling TV serves budget conscious fans at only $40 monthly. Hulu bundles live TV with entertainment shows.
Canadian Broadcasting
Bell Media owns exclusive Canadian rights through multiple channels. TSN and CTV provide English language coverage. RDS serves French speaking viewers throughout Quebec. TSN Direct lets you stream matches online. Traditional cable subscribers get access through their regular packages.
Mexican Broadcasting
TelevisaUnivision and TV Azteca share the domestic market. Both major networks broadcast matches across Mexico. Fans need no subscription to watch their national team play on home soil. Free over the air coverage reaches every household in the country.
European Broadcasting Networks
United Kingdom
BBC and ITV split all matches equally between them. Each public broadcaster shows 52 games at zero cost. BBC iPlayer and ITV streaming apps provide free digital access. British fans pay nothing to watch every match of the tournament.
The deal covers both 2026 and 2030 World Cups. This guarantees a decade of free World Cup coverage. All England matches will appear on free television.
Germany
Deutsche Telekom owns complete rights through MagentaTV. The paid service offers all 104 matches to subscribers. ARD and ZDF secured sublicense agreements for 60 matches.
Each public broadcaster gets 30 games including all German national team matches. This arrangement follows German laws requiring free coverage of major sporting events.
France and Andorra
M6 brings free coverage to French speaking territories. The broadcaster shows 54 matches at no charge. Coverage extends to France, Monaco, Andorra and French overseas territories. Viewers get one match per day plus all France national team games.
Spain
RTVE provides free public broadcasting for select matches. The network shows one game each matchday.
All Spain national team matches air for free. Mediapro operates paid channels with complete tournament coverage. The opening match airs free on RTVE from Azteca Stadium.
Italy
RAI controls television, digital and radio rights. The public broadcaster shows at least 28 matches on Rai 1. Coverage includes the opening match, quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
RaiPlay streams everything at no cost on computers and mobile devices.
Austria and Switzerland
Austria splits coverage between ORF and ServusTV. Both networks provide German language broadcasts. Switzerland turns to SRG SSR for multi-language coverage. The Swiss broadcaster serves German, French and Italian speaking regions with appropriate commentary.
Netherlands and Belgium
NOS handles all Dutch broadcasting. The public network provides free coverage throughout the Netherlands. Belgium uses multiple broadcasters for Dutch and French speaking communities.
Nordic Countries
Denmark relies on DR and TV 2 for shared coverage. Finland splits matches between Yle and MTV3 networks. Sweden watches through SVT and TV4 partnerships. Norway depends on NRK and TV 2 for comprehensive access.
All Nordic countries maintain strong public broadcasting traditions. Most major matches air for free to all citizens.
Central and Eastern Europe
Major Markets
Poland watches through TVP public broadcasting. The network provides free access to Polish viewers. Czech Republic turns to ČT for coverage. Slovakia relies on TV JOJ as the official broadcaster. Hungary gets matches through MTVA public channels.
Balkans Region
Arena Sport dominates the Balkans with one regional deal. The network serves Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia. This single broadcaster approach simplifies coverage across multiple small countries.
Bulgaria counts on BNT public broadcasting. Croatia watches through HRT. Romania turns to Antena for tournament coverage.
Other European Markets
Turkey watches through TRT public channels. The network provides free coverage across the country.
The European Broadcasting Union serves many smaller nations. This collective agreement covers 37 countries across the continent. The EBU system ensures even tiny nations get World Cup access.
South American Broadcasting
Brazil
Brazil enjoys the richest broadcasting setup in South America. Grupo Globo leads coverage as the largest broadcaster. CazéTV provides alternative coverage. SBT and N Sports add more viewing options. Multiple networks guarantee every Brazilian can watch matches.
Major Spanish Speaking Markets
Argentina receives coverage through TVP, Telefe and TyC Sports. Three networks share the market. Chile turns to Chilevisión for all matches. Colombia splits coverage between Caracol Televisión and Canal RCN.
Other South American Nations
Ecuador watches through Teleamazonas broadcasts. Peru relies on América Televisión. Bolivia gets coverage from Red Uno and Unitel working together.
Paraguay uses five different broadcasters. TyC Sports, Trece, Unicanal, GEN TV and Popu TV all show matches. This fragmented approach gives Paraguayan fans many choices.
Venezuela turns to Televen for tournament access.
Vrio Corp provides regional satellite coverage across multiple territories. The service reaches viewers in remote areas without strong local broadcasters.
Central America and Caribbean
Central American Countries
Costa Rica watches through Teletica broadcasts. El Salvador relies on TCS for coverage. Guatemala turns to Chapín TV. Honduras gets matches through Televicentro. Nicaragua watches via Televideo. Panama splits coverage between RPC and TVN networks.
Most Central American broadcasters provide free over the air coverage. Cable and satellite options exist for enhanced viewing experiences.
Middle East and North Africa
beIN Sports controls the entire MENA region. The network covers 24 countries with comprehensive broadcasting. Major markets include Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and Morocco.
beIN provides both Arabic and English commentary options. Fans choose their preferred language through audio settings. The beIN CONNECT app streams all matches to mobile devices. Traditional satellite TV reaches households across the region.
Sub Saharan Africa
SuperSport serves the pay TV market across 50 countries. DStv and GOtv subscribers get complete access. The SuperSport app streams matches throughout Africa. Digital platforms reach viewers without traditional TV service.
New World TV provides additional coverage in select markets. The broadcaster offers both free and paid options depending on the country.
African broadcasting continues to grow with each World Cup. More viewers gain access through mobile technology and streaming apps.
Asia Pacific Region
East Asia
South Korea watches through JTBC network broadcasts. Taiwan relies on ELTA for coverage. Cambodia gets matches through Hang Meas HDTV.
China and Japan have major broadcasting deals still being finalized. These huge markets typically announce partners closer to tournament dates.
Southeast Asia
Multiple regional broadcasters serve Southeast Asian nations. Each country negotiates separate deals based on market size.
South Pacific
Australia gets completely free coverage through SBS. The public broadcaster owns exclusive rights. SBS On Demand streams all matches at no cost on computers and mobile devices.
New Zealand turns to TVNZ for complete coverage. The public broadcaster serves the entire country.
Central Asian Markets
Kazakhstan and Tajikistan both watch through Saran Media. The broadcaster serves multiple Central Asian territories. Kyrgyzstan relies on Normaden Media for coverage. Turkmenistan gets access via Quest Media. Uzbekistan turns to Zo’r TV for broadcasts.
Mongolia watches through MME broadcasting services.
Central Asia represents emerging markets for FIFA. Broadcasting infrastructure continues improving across the region.
Eastern European Markets
Russia watches through Match TV despite political tensions. The broadcaster maintains FIFA rights regardless of international relations.
Albania relies on TV Klan for coverage. The Balkans region outside Arena Sport territory uses various local broadcasters.
Special Broadcasting Markets
IMG secured exclusive rights for unique viewing situations. Sport 24 channels will broadcast all 104 matches on airlines worldwide. Cruise ship passengers can watch matches at sea. This marks the fourth consecutive World Cup available for travelers.
Over 600 aircraft and 100 cruise ships will carry Sport 24. Passengers on Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines and others get access. Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines will show matches.
How to Preparing for Tournament Day
Locate your broadcaster in the table above. Visit their official website to learn about coverage plans. Most networks announce detailed schedules three to six months before kickoff.
Download official broadcaster apps onto your phone and tablet. Test the apps before June 11 to avoid technical problems on match days. Many services require account creation even for free coverage.
Check your internet connection speed. Streaming needs at least 5 Mbps for standard definition. High definition requires 10 Mbps or faster. Ultra HD 4K streams need 25 Mbps minimum.
Public broadcasters usually offer free streaming through official apps. Some require basic registration with an email address. No payment information goes into truly free services.
Create a viewing calendar for your time zone. The tournament spans three North American zones. East Coast viewers get reasonable match times. West Coast fans face early morning kickoffs. European audiences enjoy afternoon and evening games. Asian viewers need flexible sleep schedules.
Record matches you cannot watch live. Most streaming services include cloud DVR features. Free broadcasters typically post full match replays within hours.
Free vs Paid Viewing
Public broadcasters provide the best value for casual fans. You get professional coverage at zero cost. Major matches always appear on free television in most countries. Opening matches, semifinals and finals reach the widest possible audience.
Paid services offer benefits for hardcore supporters. You get every single match regardless of importance. Premium platforms provide 4K ultra high definition quality. Multiple camera angle options let you choose your view. Instant replay features let you review great goals immediately. Cloud DVR storage means you never miss a match.
Costs range dramatically by country and service. Budget streaming starts around $8 monthly. Mid tier services run $30 to $50 each month. Premium packages reach $75 or more. Calculate total costs before committing to paid subscriptions.
Many services offer free trial periods. Sign up one week before the tournament starts. You get complete coverage without paying for extra months. Remember to cancel before the trial ends.
Language and Commentary
Most broadcasters provide local language commentary. English options exist in many countries as secondary audio. Major networks offer multiple commentary teams for different audiences.
Some services include stadium sound options. You hear the crowd and players without commentator voices. This immersive option appeals to purist fans.
Streaming apps usually include language selection menus. Switch between available audio tracks during live matches. This flexibility helps multilingual households.
Technical Viewing Tips
Test your setup before the opening match. Stream a regular season game from your chosen service. This reveals any technical issues early.
Wired internet connections work better than WiFi for streaming. Plug your device directly into your router when possible. WiFi signals can drop during crucial moments.
Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs. Streaming requires significant device resources. Give your streaming app maximum processing power.
Restart your device before big matches. Fresh starts prevent many technical glitches. This simple step solves most common problems.
Position yourself close to your router during matches. Weak WiFi signals cause buffering and quality drops. Move closer or use WiFi extenders.
The Most Accessible World Cup Ever
The 2026 tournament reaches more people than any previous World Cup. Nearly every country gets official broadcasting coverage. Free television serves billions of viewers worldwide. Streaming technology delivers matches to phones and tablets everywhere.
Three host nations guarantee strong North American interest. European coverage remains comprehensive across the continent. Asian markets continue growing with each tournament. African broadcasting expands through mobile technology. South American passion ensures complete regional coverage.
Save this guide for reference throughout 2025 and early 2026. Broadcasting details rarely change once announced. These official partners will deliver the tournament to your screens.
Share this information with fellow football fans. Everyone deserves to know where they can watch the beautiful game. The wait for June 2026 continues but now you know exactly how to watch.
