The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, featuring 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will run from Thursday. June 11, to Sunday, July 19, 2026, marking the first time the World Cup is held in three countries simultaneously.

Expanded Tournament and Coverage

According to Deadline, the expansion from 32 to 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup has significantly increased media inventory for broadcasters. This is the first North American-hosted World Cup since 1994, and the U.S. soccer audience has grown substantially since then. Fox Sports and Telemundo are the primary English- and Spanish-language rights holders, with Fox airing two-thirds of the matches on its broadcast network and the rest on FS1. All matches will also be available on Fox One, a streaming platform launched in 2023.

In addition, free streaming service Tubi will air select live matches. Telemundo will handle all Spanish-language broadcasts, with Universo also carrying some matches. Spanish-language streaming will be available on Peacock, Telemundo App, DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.

Peacock’s Role in Spanish-Language Coverage

Peacock, NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language streaming service, will be a key platform for World Cup coverage in the U.S. It will air all 104 matches live in Spanish, offering a centralized hub for fans to follow the action from the opening match on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. According to Goal.com, Peacock Premium subscribers will have access to all matches, though the lower-tier Select plan does not include live sports.

Peacock’s interface will allow users to access all matches in one location without switching apps. Subscribers can choose from three plans, but for the 2026 World Cup, Peacock Premium at $10.99 per month is the only option that includes live coverage. Billboard also notes that free trials are available through services like Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV for those who want to watch without a long-term commitment.

Opening Ceremony and Match Schedule

According to NBC News, the opening ceremony will not be a single event in one city but will span three locations—Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles—on June 11 or 12. The final match will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Rotten Tomatoes outlines the early group stage schedule, with matches starting on June 11, including Mexico vs. South Africa and USA vs. Paraguay. Broadcasts in English will be on Fox, FS1, FoxOne, and Tubi, while Spanish-language options include Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock.

Deadlines note that Fox is preparing “the biggest production Fox Sports has ever put on,” including the use of Stage B in Los Angeles, a high-tech production hub with an LED wall and augmented reality elements. This effort is part of a broader push to meet the growing demand for soccer content in the U.S., where Premier League and MLS matches already attract large audiences across traditional and streaming platforms.