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After no shortage of drama and controversy, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially upon us. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 cities in the largest field in World Cup history. 48 nations are competing, a jump over the usual 32, and it’s the first time that hosting duties will be shared by three countries.
At a Glance: How to Watch the World Cup
- Channels: Fox, FS1 (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
- Streaming: DirecTV; Fubo; Fox One; Peacock (Spanish)
- Dates: Jun 11, 2026 – Jul 19, 2026
Fox holds the English-language broadcasting rights to the World Cup in the U.S. All 104 matches will be aired on TV, with 72 to air on Fox and 32 on FS1. Tubi, Fox’s ad-supported streaming service, will simulcast the opening ceremonies, Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and USMNT vs. Paraguay on June 12. As for streaming, all of the matches are available with Fox One, or with a live-TV service like DirecTV or Fubo that includes Fox and FS1.
Spanish-language coverage will be available on Telemundo, with 92 airing live on Telemundo and the rest on Universo. Every game will be available to stream in Spanish on Peacock. Fox and Telemundo are also available for free with an over-the-air antenna.
How to Watch the World Cup Live Without Cable
If you don’t have cable or an antenna, you can stream the games live with a live-TV service like DirecTV or Fubo. All games will be streaming on Fox One, while Spanish-language coverage is available over-the-air on Telemundo and Universo or online with Peacock.
DirecTV
DirecTV includes Fox, FS1, and Telemundo in its Entertainment package. It starts at $90/mo after a five-day free trial, with a $30 discount on the first month. The more affordable Sports package also carries Fox and FS1, but not Telemundo.
Fubo
Fubo carries Fox and Fox Sports 1 for English-language coverage of the World Cup. However, Telemundo is not included. Fubo includes a 5-day free trial, and plans start at $45.99 for the first month.
ExpressVPN
If you’re a U.S.-based fan looking to stream coverage from another country’s broadcaster, a VPN can get you access. ExpressVPN is currently available starting at $2.49/mo when you sign up for a 28-month subscription, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
World Cup Format Explained: Group Stage and Knockout Stage
Whether you’re tuning into the World Cup for the first time or you just need a refresher, here’s what to know about the World Cup format: the tournament is split into a group stage and a knockout stage. There are 12 groups of four teams each for the group stage, with at least two countries advancing out of each group into the knockout stage.
In the group stage, each team in the group plays the others once. A win nets a team three points, and a draw results in one point. The two teams with the most points in the group advance. There are an additional eight spots for third-place finishers in the group stage. Third-place teams to advance will be determined first by points, then by goal differential.
The knockout stage is more straightforward and broken up into the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final, plus the third-place final. As the name suggests, there are no draws in the knockout stage; tied games will go to a 30-minute overtime, split into two halves. If the teams are still tied, the game automatically goes to a penalty shootout.
World Cup Key Dates
Group Stage: June 11 — June 27
Round of 32: June 28 — July 3
Round of 16: July 4 — July 7
Quarterfinals: July 7 — July 9
Semifinals: July 14 — July 15
Third-place final: July 18
Final: July 19