World Cup 2026 TV Schedule & Kickoff Times
All World Cup 2026 kickoff times in Eastern and Pacific time zones. TV channels, streaming info for FOX, Peacock, and Telemundo.
With 104 matches spread across 39 days, the 2026 World Cup will dominate the television landscape from June 11 to July 19. For fans in the United States, the good news is that every single match will be broadcast live, and because the tournament is hosted in North America, kickoff times are in convenient US time zones. No more 5 AM alarms to watch group stage matches — this World Cup is built for American prime time.
US Broadcast Rights Overview
The television rights for the 2026 World Cup in the United States are split between two major networks:
English Language — FOX Sports:
- FOX: Carries marquee matches including the Opening Match, USMNT games, semifinals, and the Final
- FS1: Carries the majority of group stage and early knockout matches
- FOX Sports App: Streaming of all matches with cable/satellite authentication
- FOX Deportes: Spanish-language coverage on the FOX family of networks
Spanish Language — Telemundo / NBCUniversal:
- Telemundo: Primary Spanish-language broadcast channel for World Cup matches
- Peacock: NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, offering live and on-demand coverage of all matches
- Universo: Overflow channel for simultaneous matches
This dual-network arrangement ensures comprehensive coverage. During the group stage, when multiple matches may overlap, FOX and FS1 will carry different games simultaneously, while Telemundo and its sister channels do the same in Spanish.
Typical Daily Match Schedule
Because the 2026 World Cup is hosted across three countries and multiple time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific), kickoff times will vary based on venue location. Here is what a typical group stage day looks like for viewers on the East Coast:
Group Stage (4-6 matches per day):
| Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (PT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | 8:00 AM | Early match (Pacific or Mountain venue) |
| 1:00 PM | 10:00 AM | Midday match |
| 4:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Afternoon match |
| 7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | Evening match (Eastern venue) |
| 9:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Late match (Pacific venue) |
Knockout Stage (2-4 matches per day): Knockout matches are scheduled in premium time slots. Expect kickoffs at 3:00 PM ET and 7:00 PM ET for most rounds, with the Final likely kicking off around 4:00 PM ET to accommodate global viewership.
Weekend scheduling: FIFA may schedule additional early matches on weekends when viewership is higher across all time zones. Saturday and Sunday group stage matchdays could feature up to 6 games.
Time Zone Guide
The 2026 World Cup spans four US time zones plus Mexico (CDT) and Canada (EDT/PDT). Here is a conversion chart:
| Venue Time Zone | ET | CT | MT | PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern (NY, Miami, Philly, Boston, Atlanta) | Same | -1 hr | -2 hr | -3 hr |
| Central (Dallas, Houston, KC, Mexico City) | +1 hr | Same | -1 hr | -2 hr |
| Pacific (LA, SF, Seattle, Vancouver) | +3 hr | +2 hr | +1 hr | Same |
For international viewers:
- UK (BST): ET + 5 hours (a 4:00 PM ET kickoff = 9:00 PM BST)
- Central Europe (CEST): ET + 6 hours (4:00 PM ET = 10:00 PM CEST)
- Australia (AEST): ET + 14 hours (4:00 PM ET = 6:00 AM AEST next day)
- Japan (JST): ET + 13 hours (4:00 PM ET = 5:00 AM JST next day)
European viewers will benefit from afternoon and evening ET kickoffs that translate to late evening and night viewing — far more convenient than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Asian and Australian viewers face early morning starts, similar to watching European football.
Streaming Options
Cord-cutters and streaming-first viewers have several options for watching the 2026 World Cup:
Free options:
- Tubi: FOX’s free streaming service may carry select matches (unconfirmed as of March 2026)
- FIFA+: FIFA’s own streaming platform offers free match highlights, replays, and potentially live coverage in markets without an exclusive broadcaster
Paid streaming:
- Peacock: $7.99/month — Carries all Telemundo World Cup coverage, including live matches and replays
- YouTube TV: $72.99/month — Includes FOX, FS1, and Telemundo in the channel lineup
- Hulu + Live TV: $82.99/month — Includes FOX, FS1, and Telemundo
- Sling TV (Blue): $45/month — Includes FOX and FS1 (regional availability)
- FuboTV: $74.99/month — Includes FOX, FS1, Telemundo, and additional sports channels
Mobile viewing: The FOX Sports app and Peacock app both support mobile viewing on iOS and Android. This is ideal for catching matches during work hours or while traveling.
International Broadcast Partners
The 2026 World Cup will be broadcast in over 200 countries. Key international broadcasters include:
- UK: BBC and ITV (free-to-air, split between the two networks)
- Canada: TSN and CTV (English), RDS (French)
- Mexico: Televisa and TV Azteca
- Germany: ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV
- France: TF1 and beIN Sports
- Brazil: TV Globo and SporTV
- Australia: SBS (free-to-air) and Optus Sport
- Japan: NHK, Fuji TV, and DAZN
Most countries provide at least some free-to-air World Cup coverage, as FIFA requires a certain number of matches to be available on non-subscription television in each market.
Tips for Watching Every Match
Watching all 104 matches is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are practical tips for dedicated fans:
Set up calendar alerts: Download the full schedule to your phone’s calendar with reminders set 15 minutes before each kickoff. Our calendar download page has ready-made files for Google, Apple, and Outlook calendars.
Use a second screen: During the group stage, when multiple matches are played simultaneously, have a laptop or tablet ready to stream the secondary match while watching the primary game on your main TV.
DVR everything: If you have a cable or satellite DVR, set series recordings for FOX, FS1, and Telemundo for the entire June 11–July 19 window. This ensures you can catch matches you miss live without spoilers.
Avoid spoilers: If you cannot watch live, mute social media notifications for World Cup-related accounts. Stay off Twitter/X, Instagram, and sports news apps until you have watched the match. The score of a dramatic knockout game can be spoiled in seconds.
Plan work schedules: If possible, consider scheduling vacation days around key matches — particularly USMNT games, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the Final. Many workplaces will be accommodating during the World Cup given it is on US soil.
TV channel assignments for individual matches and exact kickoff times will be confirmed by FOX and Telemundo closer to the tournament. This page will be updated with specific broadcast details as they are announced.