Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup Live: TV & Streaming
June 20, 2026 5 min readPrediPick
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup Live: TV Channels, Streaming Platforms, and Apps
The 2026 World Cup will be historic on three counts: for the first time the World Cup will be held in three host countries –Mexico, the United States, and Canada– and will feature 48 teams instead of 32. This geographic and format change also transforms how to watch the 2026 World Cup live, since each nation has different broadcasting rights, and the global audience faces a fragmentation of schedules, languages, and platforms.
In this article we analyze with concrete data : traditional TV channels, streaming platforms, and official apps, accompanied by updated statistics on media consumption. The goal is for you to find the option that best suits your location and device.
Where to Watch the 2026 World Cup Live? Rights by Country
The answer to “where to watch the 2026 World Cup live” depends on the country from which you tune in. FIFA has already awarded broadcasting rights for the host territories and the rest of the world. Below, we break down the options confirmed so far.
Broadcasting rights in Mexico
In Mexico, the rights to the 2026 World Cup have been acquired by TelevisaUnivision (through its channels Las Estrellas and Canal 5) and by TV Azteca (Azteca 7). In addition, their respective streaming platforms –ViX (from TelevisaUnivision) and Azteca Deportes (app) – will offer live coverage.
TV coverage: 100% of matches broadcast free-to-air on digital terrestrial signal.
Streaming: ViX Premium will stream all matches without cuts; its free version will broadcast a selection.
Apps: Televisa Deportes app and TV Azteca app (available on iOS and Android).
Statistical fact: During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the cumulative audience in Mexico exceeded 120 million viewers (count of people who watched at least one minute). For 2026, a 15% increase is expected due to Mexico hosting group stage matches.
Rights in the United States
In the US, the audiovisual giants Fox Sports (in English) and Telemundo (in Spanish) hold the rights. Fox will broadcast matches on its main channel and FS1; Telemundo will do so on its signal and on Universo. The associated streaming platforms are:
Peacock (NBCUniversal) – will offer all matches in Spanish.
Fox Sports app (requires a TV Everywhere subscription) and Fubo (OTT service that includes Fox and Telemundo without needing cable).
Tubi (free, with ads) – announced it will broadcast selected matches in Spanish.
Relevant statistic: According to Nielsen, the 2022 World Cup in the US averaged 17.8 million viewers per match, with a peak of 25.4 million for the final. For 2026, with more matches in local time (thanks to US venues), a 30% increase in total audience is projected.
Rights in Canada
Canada shares host status and its rights are held by Bell Media (CTV, TSN) and CBC/Radio-Canada. Matches will be seen on:
CTV (English) and Noovo (French, owned by Bell).
TSN (pay channel) and RDS (French).
Streaming:Crave (from Bell) and CBC Gem (free with ads) will stream live.
Key fact: In Canada, 2022 World Cup coverage reached 29.2 million unique viewers (80% of the population). With matches in Vancouver and Toronto, a record of 40 million unique viewers is expected for 2026.
Key Statistics on Audience and Streaming Consumption
The 2026 World Cup will mark a milestone in digital sports consumption. FIFA data indicates that in Qatar 2022, streaming accounted for 35% of total global views, compared to 20% in Russia 2018. Projections for 2026 point to a 50% streaming share, especially in North America, where Over-The-Top (OTT) service penetration exceeds 70% in households.
Indicator
Russia 2018
Qatar 2022
2026 World Cup (Projection)
Total global viewers
3.57 billion
5 billion
6.2 billion
% streaming viewership
20%
35%
50%
Active sports apps during tournament
150 million
280 million
450 million
Source: FIFA Market Report 2023 and own estimates.
These figures confirm that the question “where to watch the 2026 World Cup live” no longer has a single answer: streaming and apps become primary channels, not complementary ones.
Recommended Streaming Platforms and Apps
To make watching the 2026 World Cup live a smooth experience, it's good to know the official applications and the best-performing platforms.
Official FIFA Apps
FIFA+ (free): Streams matches from previous tournaments, highlights, and exclusive content. For 2026, it is expected to include live replays across all time zones, though full rights for each country will remain with local licensees.
FIFA World Cup 2026 app (upcoming release): Goal alerts, real-time stats, synced calendar, and multi-stream.
Streaming Platforms vs. Traditional TV
Platform
Type
Estimated monthly cost (2025)
Languages
Compatibility
ViX Premium (Mexico)
Streaming
$7 USD
Spanish
Smart TV, phone, tablet
Peacock (USA)
Streaming
$5.99 USD
Spanish
All devices
Fubo (USA/Canada)
Streaming / Cable
$74.99 USD
English, Spanish
Broad compatibility
Crave (Canada)
Streaming
$9.99 CAD
English, French
Smart TV, mobile
Televisa / Azteca (Mexico)
Free-to-air TV
Free
Spanish
Digital signal
Practical tip: If you travel among the three host countries during the tournament, note that apps require a local subscription. A VPN set to the corresponding country can help, but check the terms of service.
Tips to Not Miss Any Match
Set reminders on the official FIFA app or Google Calendar (download the 2026 World Cup calendar).
Test your internet speed for HD streaming (minimum 10 Mbps).
Download the apps of local channels before the tournament starts.
Share streaming accounts: many platforms allow multiple simultaneous users.
Conclusion
Knowing where to watch the 2026 World Cup live is easier than it seems: choose your country, the TV channel or streaming platform you prefer, and make sure you have the right app. With the audience data and current projections, it's clear the experience will be more digital than ever. Whether via free-to-air TV in Mexico, Peacock in the US, or Crave in Canada, football will reach every corner of the continent. Get your screen ready – the party starts on June 11, 2026.
