FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup starts today. Where can soccer fans watch it on TV and streaming?

The largest FIFA World Cup in history is starting today, hosted across North America and broadcast on TV and streaming services worldwide.

In the U.S., only two networks have the rights to broadcast the 2026 World Cup games in English and Spanish. Though subscription-based streaming platforms are increasingly popular among sports fans, there are still free options to watch World Cup matches on local television stations.

The World Cup is playing its 104-match tournament from June 11 through July 19, including several matches at California’s two NFL stadiums: Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

Here’s how to catch every moment of the World Cup live on TV or streaming on-the-go.

Where will the FIFA World Cup stream for free on TV?

In the U.S. Fox has exclusive rights to stream the World Cup’s matches in English over the air.

Local Fox affiliate stations will broadcast many games live throughout the monthlong tournament, including the first match of the World Cup at noon Pacific time Thursday between Mexico and South Africa, as well as many other highly anticipated face-offs.

Spanish-language streams in the U.S. have a different home, on NBC’s platforms. Telemundo will broadcast live games in Spanish over the air.

Detailed view of the official matchball of the World Cup 2026 prior to an international friendly between Mexico and Iceland on Feb. 25, 2026 in Queretaro, Mexico.
Detailed view of the official matchball of the World Cup 2026 prior to an international friendly between Mexico and Iceland on Feb. 25, 2026 in Queretaro, Mexico. Agustin Cuevas Getty Images

Which streaming services are showing the World Cup?

For the games not available on the main Fox broadcast, streams will be broadcast on FS1, Fox Sports’ cable channel. Universo, NBC’s Spanish-language cable network, will host some of the tournament’s matches in Spanish.

Every match will be available to watch on Fox One — the network’s exclusive streaming platform — as well as other streaming services that broadcast Fox programs, such as Fubo TV and Youtube TV.

Matches are available in Spanish on streaming through NBC’s Peacock app and the Telemundo app.

This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM with the headline "FIFA World Cup starts today. Where can soccer fans watch it on TV and streaming?."

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Camila Pedrosa
The Sacramento Bee
Camila Pedrosa is the California Diversions Reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked on The Bee’s service journalism team and was a summer reporting intern for The Bee in 2024. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.
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