Upfront/Watch
World Cup 2026: Your Guide
A California watch party in 2022
THE EVERY-FOUR-YEAR global soccer competition comes to North America June 11–July 19, and this World Cup will be the biggest yet, with 48 teams. Eleven U.S. cities will host 78 of the 104 games, and Mexico and Canada will host 13 each. Millions of fans are expected to turn out in person, and billions more will be glued to media platforms, making this potentially the most-watched sporting event in history. What does this mean for soccer diehards and newbies alike? Crazy fun and big energy! Here’s how to join the party. —Mike Woitalla
Where to Watch
If you were lucky enough to snag a ticket (ranging from $60 up to $10,990 for the final), woot! If not, you’ve got some great options:
FIFA Fan Festivals. In the host cities, designated parks and plazas get outfitted with giant screens to help re-create a festive in-stadium experience. Check the FIFA website for locations.
Smaller public events. Bars and other local spots organize special watch parties. Check your city’s tourism website to find out more.
Watch at home. Seventy games will be televised live in the U.S. on Fox. Ninety-two games will be broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo. With a subscription, you can see all games on the Fox One and Telemundo apps and the streaming services Peacock and YouTubeTV, among others. Via cable/satellite, catch 34 games on Fox Sports 1, and 12 on Universo.
Radio. Listen to English-language broadcasts on SiriusXM and iHeart Radio (subscribe for a fee). For Spanish, tune in to the Fútbol de Primera radio network.
DID YOU KNOW? The U.S. was one of 13 teams that competed in the first World Cup, in 1930, and finished third, its best result so far.
Predictions
Brazilian legend Pelé
If you’re serious about picking a champion, consider one of these seven countries that have won in the past 22 World Cups:
Read Up
Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup
by Shane Stay
Soccer in Sun and Shadow
by Eduardo Galeano
The Power and the Glory: The History of the World Cup
by Jonathan Wilson
Go Mobile
Track the games on your phone.
FIFA World Cup 2026 app: Gives official live score updates, lineups, game highlights.
FotMob app: Features player ratings and granular statistics in addition to scores.
OneFootball: Curates news alongside game updates.
By the Numbers
4 Nations making their World Cup debut in 2026 (Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, Uzbekistan)
39 Days World Cup 2026 will run
700 Hours Telemundo will devote to coverage
899 Qualifying games played for WC 26
1994 Year the U.S. first hosted the World Cup
3.6M Highest number of fans ever to attend a World Cup, in the United States in 1994
$4.2B FIFA’s estimated revenue from 2026 broadcasting rights
Global Stars to Keep an Eye On
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The top goal scorer of all time, he doesn’t yet have a World Cup title.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Blazing speed and a proven World Cup performer
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
A dynamic winger with flair
Christian Pulisic (USA)
Captain America: the face of U.S. soccer
Harry Kane (England)
The captain of England has been scoring bags of goals this year for Bayern Munich.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
This could be the star’s international farewell before he retires.