The countdown is real. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, making it a 39-day football spectacle spread across 16 stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It is the first time three nations have ever co-hosted the tournament, and the scale of what is coming is genuinely unprecedented.
This edition will also be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams — up from the previous format of 32 — meaning more matches, more nations, and more drama than ever before. With a total of 104 games across 16 host cities over 39 days, this is the biggest sporting event the planet has ever seen. Here is everything fans need to know before kickoff.
How to Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026
Fans in the United States have plenty of options to catch every single match. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1, with every match also available streaming live and on-demand. An unprecedented 40 matches — more than one-third of the tournament — will air in primetime.
Here is a breakdown of where to watch
- FOX — 70 matches, including all host nation openers and every knockout round game from the Round of 16 onward
- FS1 — 34 additional group stage and early knockout matches
- Telemundo — 92 matches in Spanish
- Universo — 12 matches in Spanish
- Peacock — all 104 games available to stream in Spanish
- Tubi — the opening ceremony and two matches, Mexico vs. South Africa on June 11 and the U.S. vs. Paraguay on June 12, will simulcast live in 4K for free
How to Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets
Getting your hands on tickets takes some planning — but there are still paths in. Three official purchasing channels exist— FIFA.com/tickets, FIFA.com/hospitality for premium packages, and Qatar Airways Holidays for travel packages.
Most of the early sales phases have already closed as of early 2026, including the Visa Presale Draw, the Early Ticket Draw, and the Random Selection Draw. However, the Last-Minute Sales Phase opens in early April 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis, and the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace reopens on April 2, 2026.
A few things to keep in mind before purchasing
- All tickets must be purchased through FIFA’s official website — a FIFA ID is required, and your email becomes that ID
- FIFA charges a 15% fee to both sellers and buyers on resale transactions
- Third-party platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek carry more risk and are not official FIFA partners — proceed with caution
- For premium experiences, On Location is the official hospitality provider, offering packages with premium seats, meet-and-greets, and private lounge access
Where the Matches Are Being Played
Host cities are divided into three regions. The Western Region covers Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The Central Region includes Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, and Kansas City. The Eastern Region spans Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York/New Jersey.
Key Matches and Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
The schedule is stacked from the very first day. Here are the must-watch moments
- June 11 — Tournament opener— Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City
- June 12 — USA vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles, with a three-hour pregame show starting at 6 p.m. ET on FOX
- June 16 — FOX airs a star-powered tripleheader featuring France vs. Senegal with Kylian Mbappé, Norway with Erling Haaland, and defending champion Argentina with Lionel Messi vs. Algeria
- July 4 — Round of 16 begins, with two matches airing on FOX
- July 19 — The Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey
Why This FIFA World Cup Feels Different
Beyond the numbers, there is a genuine sense that 2026 represents a turning point for the sport in North America. The U.S. men’s national team is playing at home for the first time in a World Cup since 1994, fan energy is at an all-time high, and the infrastructure across all three host nations is primed to deliver something unforgettable.
Tickets are moving fast, broadcast schedules are set, and the world is tuning in. The only question left is — where will you be watching?
