A monumental occasion like the 2026 FIFA World Cup calls for a groundbreaking broadcast schedule.
FOX Sports is set to dominate summer airtime with a total of 104 matches airing live across FOX (70 matches) and FS1 (34 matches). All matches will also be available for streaming, on-demand, through the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. Notably, 40 matches, constituting over one-third of the tournament, will be shown during primetime hours on FOX (21 matches) and FS1 (19 matches).
“FIFA is putting on the biggest World Cup in history, and FOX Sports is living up to that standard,” said Eric Shanks, CEO & Executive Producer of FOX Sports. “Our broadcast schedule affirms FOX is truly going to be America’s home for the beautiful game over a span of 39 incredible days. We look forward to bringing the country together for its 250th birthday with all the world here for the greatest event on the planet.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historically significant as it is the first tournament hosted by three countries: United States, Mexico, and Canada, featuring 48 teams across 16 host cities. In the U.S., eleven cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area, will host matches.
Expanded Coverage for the U.S.
The broadcast plan includes thorough coverage of the U.S. men’s national team, with all three matches in Group D airing on FOX. The USA’s first match against Paraguay is scheduled for Friday, June 12, in Los Angeles (9 p.m. ET), featuring a three-hour pregame show starting at 6 p.m. ET.
The second group stage match against Australia takes place on Friday, June 19, in Seattle, with live coverage commencing at 1:00 PM ET before kickoff at 3:00 PM ET. The third group match against the winner of UEFA Playoff C (featuring Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, and Romania) will be held on Thursday, June 25, in LA, starting at 9:00 PM ET.
Other Highlights for FOX Sports at FIFA World Cup 2026
- All opening matches for the host nations (U.S., Mexico, Canada) will air on FOX with expanded pregame coverage.
- The tournament will kick off on FOX with live coverage beginning at 1:00 PM ET, starting with Mexico’s match against South Africa.
- Canada will start its campaign on the second day of the tournament, June 12, with coverage starting at 1:00 PM ET from Toronto.
- The daily program titled “FIFA World Cup Live” will preview upcoming action throughout the tournament and will air on FOX and FS1.
- A star-studded tripleheader is set for Tuesday, June 16.
Noteworthy Matches
Live coverage will commence at 2:00 PM ET that day, showcasing top teams including the reigning champion Argentina, along with stars like Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
The finale will be broadcast on FOX on Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 PM ET from New York/New Jersey, with coverage starting at 12:00 PM ET.
