The divide between nations is an illusion. We all live in one world, and there’s no better reminder of that fact than the FIFA World Cup. Every four years, fans from around the globe gather in stadiums, living rooms, and bars to cheer on their favorite teams in the world’s most popular sport: football (soccer). The beautiful game reaches its competitive zenith once again when the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off in June, but you can get ready for the tournament right now by signing up for a video streaming service. Here’s how to watch the World Cup online, along with the essentials for watching the big matches.
Stream the FIFA World Cup With These Services
Which Country Is Hosting the 2026 World Cup?
In 2026, the tournament isn’t hosted by a single country; instead, it’s spread across North America. The World Cup will take place in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Vancouver. The fact that numerous games are being held in the United States has been a source of potential concern for some athletes and fans, given the current political tensions surrounding immigration and soccer’s international fan base. High ticket prices are also a growing concern, making streaming the tournament a cost-effective option.
When Is the 2026 World Cup?
Ready to don your team’s kit and fly a flag? The World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with group stage matches beginning at 3 p.m. EST. From there, the tournament moves on to knockout matches, quarterfinals, and semifinals. The third-place match will take place on Saturday, July 18, while the final match will occur on Sunday, July 19. For more detailed schedule information, check out FIFA’s website. Hopefully, your favorite team isn’t booted early.
Which Countries Qualified for the 2026 World Cup?
Several qualifying World Cup teams were selected during the World Cup Draw and sorted into 12 groups. Each group consists of four countries, though there are a handful of squads that have yet to have their qualifying matches for the round-robin tournament. Right now, the World Cup group stage is as follows:
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Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Path D Winner
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Group B: Canada, UEFA Path A Winner, Qatar, Switzerland
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Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
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Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Path C Winner
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Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
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Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Path B Winner, Tunisia
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Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
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Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
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Group I: France, Senegal, IC Path 2 Winner, Norway
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Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
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Group K: Portugal, IC Path 1 Winner, Uzbekistan, Colombia
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Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Where Can You Stream the 2026 World Cup?
In the United States, Fox Sports (Fox and FS1) will broadcast the World Cup live. So, if you use YouTube TV or any other live TV streaming service that can access those channels, you can watch the games as they happen. Besides YouTube TV, your options include DirecTV, Hulu, Fubo, Peacock, and Sling TV. Note that live TV streaming is pricey, with subscriptions reaching nearly $100 per month.
In 2026, YouTube TV will debut a lower-cost sports package, so keep an eye on that as an option for streaming the World Cup.
Can You Stream the 2026 World Cup for Free?
Yes, but in a very limited capacity. FIFA’s free website, FIFA+, will stream select World Cup matches at no cost. That said, you can’t rely on it to view the entire tournament. You need one of the aforementioned video streaming platforms for that.
Can You Stream the 2026 World Cup Overseas With a VPN?
As a global event, people from hundreds of nations will have their eyes fixed on the World Cup, and those viewers deserve convenient online streaming options as well. Telemundo will broadcast the games in Spanish, so be sure to check that channel as an option. British viewers can use the BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub.
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Of course, the best way to bypass potential regional restrictions online is to use a VPN. This not only helps you stay safe and secure online, but also lets you spoof your location to a server in another country. Unfortunately, none of the video streaming services mentioned here are compatible with VPNs when you switch to servers located overseas. So, keep your VPN pointed at US servers if you want to stream every goal.
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What Is the Official Song of the FIFA World Cup 2026?
For 2026, each host city will produce its own remix of the official FIFA World Cup 26 Theme. The musicians chosen reflect the unique vibe of each city. For example, the Philadelphia remix was created by DJ Jazzy Jeff, while Tech N9ne tackled the Kansas City song. You can find the tunes on Spotify or other streaming music services.
About Our Expert
Jordan Minor
Senior Writer, Software
Experience
My PCMag career began in 2013 as an intern. Now, I’m a senior writer, using the skills I acquired at Northwestern University to write about dating apps, meal kits, programming software, website builders, video streaming services, and video games. I was previously a senior editor at Geek.com and have written for The A.V. Club, Kotaku, and Paste Magazine. I’m the author of the gaming history book Video Game of the Year: A Year-by-Year Guide to the Best, Boldest, and Most Bizarre Games from Every Year Since 1977, and the reason everything you know about Street Sharks is a lie.
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