2026 FIFA World Cup TV Channels and Broadcasting Rights Worldwide
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest football tournament in history. Forty-eight teams compete across 104 matches in three countries from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The United States hosts most matches across 11 cities. Canada hosts matches in 2 cities. Mexico opens the tournament at the famous Estadio Azteca. The opening match kicks off in Mexico City on June 11. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Every fan wants to know one thing. Where can I watch the matches in my country? This guide covers every confirmed broadcaster by country so you know exactly where to watch.
2026 FIFA World Cup Broadcasters by Country
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | AMPTV |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV |
| Azerbaijan | İctimai TV |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT, N Sports |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media (CTV, TSN, RDS) |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CMG |
| Colombia | Caracol TV, Canal RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Czechia | CT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Fiji | Fijian Broadcasting Corporation |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France | M6, beIN Sports |
| Georgia | GPB |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Chapín TV, Tigo Sports |
| Honduras | Televicentro |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RUV |
| Indonesia | TVRI, RRI |
| Iran | IRIB TV3, Persiana Sports |
| Israel | KAN |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Japan | DAZN, NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV |
| Kazakhstan | Qazaqstan TV, Qazsport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Macau | TDM |
| Maldives | ICE Networks, Medianet |
| Malta | PBS |
| MENA Region | beIN Sports |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| Mongolia | MME |
| Montenegro | Arena Sport, RTCG |
| Nepal | Acepro Media, Prime TV |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Televideo |
| Niger | ORTNN |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Panama | RPC, TVN, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, Unicanal, GEN TV, Popu TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Group |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Serbia | Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | STVR, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC |
| South Korea | JTBC, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport, New World TV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA Sports, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV, TV Football |
| Timor-Leste | ETO |
| Turkiye | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Turkmenistan Sport |
| United Kingdom | BBC, ITV |
| United States | FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Universo |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | FPT Telecom |
| Caribbean (multi-territory) | DSports / DirecTV Latin America |
| In-Flight / Cruise Ships | Sport24 |
Note: India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have no confirmed broadcaster as of March 2026. FIFA’s tender process closed in September 2025. Check FIFA’s official site for updates before June 11.
Understanding World Cup Broadcasting
FIFA started selling broadcast rights back in 2015. Early deals locked in major networks across North America and other regions years before the tournament begins.
Broadcasting laws differ by country. Many governments require big sporting events to air on free television. This rule protects every citizen’s right to watch their national team at no cost.
FIFA expects close to $3.92 billion from broadcasting deals this tournament cycle. That money funds the prize pool and supports football development programs in smaller nations across 200+ territories.
North American Coverage
United States Broadcasting
English Language Coverage
Fox Sports holds exclusive English-language rights for all 104 matches. Fox airs 70 matches on its free broadcast network. That more than doubles the 34 Fox matches in 2022. FS1 carries the remaining 34 matches on cable.
A record 40 matches air in primetime: 21 on Fox and 19 on FS1. Every knockout match from July 4 onward including all Quarterfinals, both Semifinals, the third-place match and the Final airs on Fox.
Streaming Options
FOX One streams all 104 matches live and on demand in 4K. It works two ways:
- Cable subscribers log in free with their existing TV provider credentials
- Cord-cutters subscribe directly at $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year
The Fox Sports App also streams all matches free with a cable login.
Tubi streams two matches free in 4K with no account needed: Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and USMNT vs. Paraguay on June 12. Tubi also streams the opening ceremony free. Fox Sports delivers over 340 hours of first-run programming across the tournament.
Spanish Language Coverage
Telemundo and NBCUniversal bring the most extensive Spanish language World Cup coverage in United States broadcast history.
Telemundo airs 92 matches free over the air. That is the most men’s World Cup matches ever shown on a single US broadcast network in any language. Universo carries the remaining 12 matches on cable.
Peacock Premium streams all 104 matches with Spanish commentary for $7.99 per month. The Telemundo App streams free with a cable login. Telemundo plans 700 hours of total World Cup programming with live crews at every match across all 16 host cities.
Canadian Broadcasting
Bell Media holds all exclusive Canadian rights through CTV, TSN and RDS. Here is how each network works:
- CTV airs English coverage free over the air
- TSN covers English cable and specialty broadcasts
- RDS handles all French-language coverage for Quebec and French-speaking regions
- TSN+ offers standalone streaming at $24.99 per month
- CTV GO and RDS GO stream free for existing cable subscribers
DAZN does not hold any World Cup rights in Canada.
Mexican Broadcasting
TelevisaUnivision and TV Azteca share Mexican broadcasting rights. Both networks air all matches free over the air nationwide. No subscription is needed. Mexico co-hosts the tournament and opens play on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca.
European Broadcasting Networks
United Kingdom
BBC and ITV share all 104 UK matches equally. Both channels are free to air with no subscription needed. Both simulcast the Final on July 19.
ITV opens the tournament with Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11. ITV airs 29 Group Stage matches including England vs. Croatia on June 17 and England vs. Panama on June 27. ITV also airs Scotland’s group match against Morocco on June 19. ITV broadcasts live from New York City for the full duration of the tournament. Stream all ITV matches free on ITVX and STV Player.
BBC airs England’s group match against Ghana plus England’s Round of 32, Round of 16 and Semi-Final. BBC covers Scotland’s group matches against Haiti and Brazil. Stream all BBC matches free on BBC iPlayer. BBC Radio 5 Live carries live audio commentary throughout the tournament.
Germany
ARD and ZDF hold sub-licensed rights for 60 matches total. Each public broadcaster gets 30 games. The package covers all Germany national team matches, the opening match, both Semifinals and the Final. German law requires these marquee matches to air on free TV.
Magenta Sport holds full rights to all 104 matches including 44 exclusive broadcasts. The paid service streams every match in 4K. Subscribers get a conference mode during the group stage to switch between simultaneous games in real time.
France
M6 airs 54 matches free including all France national team games. Coverage reaches France, Monaco, Andorra and French overseas territories. Stream all M6 matches free on the 6play app. beIN Sports holds the remaining paid rights.
Spain
RTVE airs all Spain national team games free. Mediapro and DAZN hold full rights to all 104 matches on paid platforms.
Italy
RAI airs at least 28 matches free on Rai 1 including the opening match, all Quarterfinals, both Semifinals and the Final. Stream all RAI matches free on RaiPlay. DAZN holds full rights to all 104 matches in Italy.
Other European Countries
Austria splits coverage between ORF and ServusTV. Switzerland uses SRG SSR across German, French and Italian-speaking regions. Netherlands uses NOS. Belgium uses VRT for Dutch speakers and RTBF for French speakers.
Denmark uses DR and TV2. Finland uses Yle and MTV3. Sweden uses SVT and TV4. Norway uses NRK and TV2. Poland uses TVP. Czechia uses CT and TV Nova. Slovakia uses STVR and TV JOJ. Hungary uses MTVA. Greece uses ERT. Bulgaria uses BNT. Croatia uses HRT.
Romania uses Antena. Iceland uses RUV. Israel uses KAN. Turkiye uses TRT. Russia uses Match TV.
Arena Sport covers Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia through a single regional deal.
South American Broadcasting
Brazil has the richest broadcast setup in the region. Grupo Globo leads primary coverage. CazéTV handles streaming. SBT and N Sports add more free options across the country.
Argentina splits rights across Telefe, TV Pública and TyC Sports. Colombia divides coverage between Caracol TV, Canal RCN and Win Sports. Chile uses Chilevisión.
Ecuador uses Teleamazonas. Peru uses América Televisión. Bolivia splits between Red Uno and Unitel. Paraguay uses Trece, Unicanal, GEN TV and Popu TV. Uruguay uses Canal 5 and Antel TV. Venezuela uses Televen.
Central America and Caribbean
Most Central American countries offer free over-the-air coverage. Costa Rica uses Teletica. El Salvador uses TCS and Tigo Sports. Guatemala uses Chapín TV and Tigo Sports. Honduras uses Televicentro. Nicaragua uses Televideo. Panama splits between RPC, TVN and Tigo Sports.
DSports (formerly DirecTV Sports) holds confirmed rights across multiple Caribbean territories including Aruba, Curaçao, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Fans stream all 104 matches through the DGO app. A DSports subscription is required.
Middle East and North Africa
beIN Sports controls exclusive rights across the entire MENA region. The network covers 24 countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Yemen. Both Arabic and English commentary are available. The beIN CONNECT app streams all 104 matches on mobile devices.
Sub-Saharan Africa
SuperSport serves 50 African countries through DStv and GOtv satellite platforms. The SuperSport app streams matches across the continent. New World TV provides additional coverage in select markets. South African fans get all matches free on SABC.
Asia Pacific Region
China uses CMG for exclusive rights across all platforms. Japan splits coverage across DAZN, NHK, Nippon TV and Fuji TV. South Korea uses JTBC for TV broadcasts with NAVER Sports and CHZZK serving digital audiences. Taiwan uses ELTA Sports, EBC and TTV. Indonesia uses TVRI and RRI. Vietnam uses FPT Telecom. Philippines uses Aleph Group. Singapore uses Mediacorp. Cambodia uses Hang Meas.
Australia gets all 104 matches live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS On Demand. SBS has been the home of World Cup football in Australia since 1986. New Zealand uses TVNZ for full coverage.
Kazakhstan uses Qazaqstan TV and Qazsport. Kyrgyzstan uses KTRK. Tajikistan uses Varzish TV and TV Football. Turkmenistan uses Turkmenistan Sport. Uzbekistan uses Zo’r TV.
Indian Subcontinent
No broadcaster has been confirmed for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as of March 2026. FIFA’s regional tender closed in September 2025. The Maldives is separately covered by ICE Networks and Medianet. Fans in this region should check FIFA’s official broadcaster page for updates before June 11.
Special Broadcasting Markets
IMG secured exclusive rights for unique global viewing situations. Sport24 holds exclusive in-flight and cruise ship rights for all 104 matches. The service covers 600+ aircraft and 100+ cruise ships worldwide. Airlines carrying Sport24 include Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines also carry the channel at sea.
How to Prepare for Tournament Day
Find your broadcaster in the table above. Visit their official website to check coverage plans. Download the official broadcaster app and test it before June 11. Many services need account creation even for free coverage.
Check your internet speed before the tournament starts:
- 5 Mbps minimum for standard definition
- 10 Mbps for HD
- 25 Mbps for 4K
A wired connection performs better than WiFi during live matches. Close other apps before kickoff to free up device resources. Restart your device before big matches to avoid buffering issues.
Cable subscribers should check their broadcaster app first. Most allow free login with existing TV provider credentials. Full World Cup access may cost nothing extra.
Free vs Paid Viewing Options
Public broadcasters give casual fans free professional coverage. Major matches always land on free TV in most countries. Opening matches, Semifinals and the Final reach the widest audience.
Paid services suit dedicated supporters who want every single match. Premium platforms deliver 4K quality and cloud DVR so you never miss a game. Costs start around $8 per month for budget streaming and go higher for full-access packages. Always calculate total costs before committing to a paid subscription.
2026 FIFA World Cup Broadcasting FAQs
Will all 104 matches be available to stream online?
Yes. Every match has a confirmed streaming option in almost every country. In the US the Fox Sports App and FOX One stream all 104 English matches. Peacock Premium streams all 104 in Spanish. UK fans stream free on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Australian fans stream free on SBS On Demand. Most countries have at least one official streaming platform carrying the full tournament.
Which country has the best free World Cup coverage?
The UK stands out. BBC and ITV share all 104 matches and both channels are completely free with no subscription needed. Australia comes close with SBS airing all 104 matches free. Most European countries get strong free coverage through public broadcasters but may not get every single match without a paid service.
Do I need a VPN to watch the World Cup abroad?
Your home broadcaster app will likely block access outside your country due to regional rights agreements. A VPN lets you connect to a server in your home country and access your usual broadcaster. Use a reputable paid VPN service and always check the local laws of the country you are traveling in before using one.
Is the 2026 World Cup on free TV in the United States?
Partly. Fox airs 70 matches free over the air and Telemundo airs 92 matches free in Spanish. Both are available with a basic TV antenna at no cost. Tubi streams two matches and the opening ceremony free online. The remaining matches on FS1 and Universo require a cable subscription or a paid live TV streaming service.
What is the cheapest way to watch every 2026 World Cup match in the US?
FOX One at $19.99 per month gives cord-cutters access to all 104 English matches in 4K with no cable needed. Peacock Premium at $7.99 per month covers all 104 matches in Spanish. Both plans allow you to cancel anytime after the tournament ends on July 19.
Which broadcaster covers the most countries in one deal?
beIN Sports covers the most ground with exclusive rights across 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. SuperSport serves 50 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa through DStv and GOtv. Arena Sport covers five Balkan countries through a single regional deal.
Does FIFA+ show live World Cup matches?
FIFA+ cannot show live matches in countries where exclusive rights belong to a local broadcaster. That covers almost every major territory worldwide. FIFA+ will carry highlights, press conferences and behind-the-scenes content during the tournament. For live matches always go to your country’s official rights holder listed in the broadcaster table above.
What devices can I use to watch the 2026 World Cup?
Every major streaming platform covering the tournament works across phones, tablets, smart TVs, laptops and streaming sticks. In the US the FOX One app and Fox Sports App support iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung, LG and Xbox. Peacock works on the same range of devices for Spanish coverage. BBC iPlayer and ITVX cover UK fans on all screens. SBS On Demand works on phones, tablets and smart TVs in Australia. Download your broadcaster’s official app at least a week before June 11 and test your login so you are ready for the opening match.
Will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be available in 4K?
Yes. Every match streams live in 4K on FOX One in the United States. Most major Pay TV providers also carry matches in 4K. Tubi streams two matches free in 4K with no subscription needed: Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and USA vs. Paraguay on June 12. Outside the US availability depends on your local broadcaster and your TV package. Check with your provider before the tournament starts to confirm whether your plan includes 4K access.
