FOX Sports is gearing up to deliver what it's calling its "biggest production" ever with its coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The network plans to broadcast all 104 matches live across FOX and FS1, with every match also available via live stream on FOX One and the FOX Sports App.
A cornerstone of FOX Sports' coverage will be the unprecedented 69 matches airing live on the FOX broadcast channel. This marks a record in network television history, more than doubling the 34 matches televised on the network during the 2022 World Cup. The remaining 35 matches will be broadcast on FS1. This distribution means approximately two-thirds (66%) of the matches will be available on broadcast television, a notable increase from the 53% in 2022. For viewers with an over-the-air antenna, the 69 matches on FOX will be accessible for free.
In total, FOX Sports plans to deliver over 340 hours of programming surrounding the tournament. This represents a 100-hour increase compared to the 2022 World Cup and includes extensive pre- and post-match coverage. Fans can also look forward to more matches airing in primetime than in any previous World Cup.
According to Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports, the scale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup warrants the network's most ambitious production to date. He anticipates the event will be a television spectacle unlike any other, with more teams, star players, compelling storylines, and unforgettable moments.
The complete broadcast schedule will be revealed following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Draw, scheduled to air live on FOX on December 5 from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C..
The FIFA World Cup 2026 marks FOX Sports' sixth presentation of the tournament. The network previously covered the men's tournaments in 2022 (Qatar) and 2018 (Russia), in addition to the women's tournaments in 2023 (Australia and New Zealand), 2019 (France), and 2015 (Canada).
The 2026 World Cup will be historic as the first to feature 48 teams and to be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Matches will take place in 16 host cities across North America. Eleven of these cities are in the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The United States Men's National Team will play its Group Stage matches on Friday, June 12 (Los Angeles), Friday, June 19 (Seattle), and Thursday, June 25 (Los Angeles).
FOX Sports is expected to employ a tech-forward approach to its coverage, utilizing advanced broadcast technology and assembling a team of prominent analysts and soccer experts. The network is also developing digital programming and other features, with further details to be announced in the lead-up to the tournament.
