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World Cup 2026 viewer's guide: Schedule, times, channels to watch biggest stars and matches this summer originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings the greatest soccer tournament on the planet to North America, as the United States play co-host to the international football championship.
All the top national teams and players from around the globe will descend upon Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. as they hope to position themselves as World Cup champions for the next four years.
Beginning on June 11, the tournament welcomes 48 national teams, a bigger field than any previous World Cup in the history of the FIFA competition.
The Sporting News brings you an overview of the most notable matches over the course of the tournament, going week-by-week as the competition progresses.
MORE:Full 2026 World Cup fixture schedule
Where to watch World Cup 2026
- TV channels: Fox, FS1, Fox Deportes
- Live streams:Fubo, Fox One, Fox app/website
Fox Sports are the broadcast rights holders for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
They will televise every match of the tournament, with English-language broadcasts split between Fox and FS1. They will also televise matches in Spanish on Fox Deportes.
These channels can all be found streaming on fubo, who are offering a FREE TRIAL for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
World Cup 2026 viewer's guide
The best part about being a soccer fan in 2026 is that you can watch literally every event of the FIFA World Cup live on fubo.
With the expansion from 32 teams to 48 participants meaning the number of games across the tournament almost doubles, the schedule can be a bit complicated, with sometimes four games per day through the group stage at various points.
Below is a roundup of the biggest games across the first round of the group stage.
Thursday, June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa — Opening match
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
The first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the famous Estadio Azteca, site of two World Cup finals, on June 11.
Co-hosts Mexico, set to host their third World Cup, most of any nation, kick off the tournament with a Group A match against South Africa, hosts of the 2010 World Cup.
Friday, June 12: USA vs. Paraguay — United States begin
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, CA)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
With Mexico getting under way the day before, co-hosts USA will kick their World Cup off on Friday with an evening kickoff against Paraguay.
Mauricio Pochettino was hired with the understanding that this World Cup opportunity is unlike any other, and they will begin that journey here against the world's 40th-ranked side.
Saturday, June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco — Most World Cup titles against AFCON winners
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
- TV channel: FS1
- Live stream:Fubo
Brazil are the most successful side in FIFA World Cup history, having triumphed five times over the course of the event's history. Yet they haven't lifted the trophy since 2002, one of their longest droughts in the national team's journey.
They will have a difficult early test against Morocco in one of the best early matchups of the group stage, as the African side is fresh off a trip to the Africa Cup of Nations final where they were beaten by Senegal but crowned champions of the tournament anyways by a CAF technicality.
Monday, June 15: Belgium vs. Egypt — Kevin de Bruyne against Mohamed Salah
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Lumen Stadium (Seattle, WA)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
Top 10-ranked teams are always appointment viewing, but when they meet a top-tier opponent, it makes the match one of the can't-miss events of the group stage.
Belgium, ranked ninth in the world by FIFA, finished third at the 2018 World Cup but crashed out in the group stage in Qatar four years ago, as they will be looking for redemption in Kevin de Bruyne's last hurrah. He will be up against former Premier League foe Mohamed Salah, who is set to depart Liverpool this summer after a legendary run at Anfield.
This will be a top-tier matchup against two powerhouse teams.
Tuesday, June 16: France vs. Senegal — French-speaking nations clash
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
Having made each of the last two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 and falling in 2022, France look to become the third team ever to reach three straight finals, after West Germany from 1982-1990 and Brazil from 1994-2002. With head coach Didier Deschamps set to step down after this tournament, he will hope to lead Les Bleus to one final run.
They begin with a difficult test against French-speaking African nation Senegal in their fourth-ever World Cup tournament. The Lions of Teranga are led by superstar Sadio Mane, who secured an AFCON title in 2021 and seemed to have done so again back in January until CAF overturned the result in controversial fashion.
Wednesday, June 17: England vs. Croatia — 2018 semifinal rematch
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
Led by Thomas Tuchel, England begin their quest to bring football "home" as they get started with their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey in Texas. The Three Lions reached the semifinals back in 2018, but took a step back to the quarterfinals in 2022. With title aspirations, England hope their Premier League stars can lead them to a second-ever World Cup title.
They will meet their toughest test of the group stage, as the Three Lions meet two-time semifinalists Croatia, who have reached at least the final four in each of the last two tournaments. In Luka Modric's last World Cup, Croatia hope their "golden generation" can have one more successful push deep into the World Cup.
These two teams met in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, where Croatia advanced to the final in extra-time before defeat to France in the title match.
When is the World Cup final 2026?
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
- TV channel: FOX
- Live stream:Fubo
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place on July 19, 2026, to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. ET, in the height of the New Jersey summer heat.
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