2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST: How to Watch Every Match in the USA

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here, and if you’re watching from the United States, this guide has everything you need to follow every kick‑off in Eastern Time. From the full 2026 FIFA World Cup TV schedule (EST) to which networks will carry the action—FOX and FS1 in English, Telemundo, Universo and Peacock in Spanish—this article breaks down channels, streaming options, and prime‑time matchups so you never miss a moment of the 104 live games.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the USA, Canada and Mexico — and every one of the 104 matches will be shown live on TV and streaming in the United States, with all key kick-off times listed in Eastern Time (ET).

FOX and FS1 will handle English coverage, while Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock will air every game in Spanish.

If you’re planning your viewing schedule around U.S. timing, this guide explains the 2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST for TV channels, streaming options, key dates, prime-time kick-offs and marquee games in ET.

2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST Broadcasters in the USA

For fans in the United States, the 2026 World Cup will be easy to follow on TV, with full coverage in both English and Spanish.

English-language coverage

• FOX (broadcast network) – will show 70 matches, including all USMNT games, the opening match, every game from the Round of 16 onwards, and the final.
• FS1 (cable) – will show the remaining 34 matches, mainly from the group stage and Round of 32.
• Streaming: Every match will stream live and on-demand in 4K on FOX One and the FOX Sports app (via pay‑TV authentication).

FOX has confirmed a record 40 matches in U.S. prime time across FOX and FS1 combined, more than any previous World Cup.

Spanish-language coverage

• Telemundo – main Spanish broadcaster, showing the majority of matches over the air.
• Universo – carries additional games and overflow coverage.
• Peacock – will stream all 104 matches live in Spanish, plus shoulder programming.

Most major live TV streaming platforms in the U.S. (such as Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling Blue) carry FOX, FS1 and Telemundo, making it easy to watch the tournament entirely via streaming if you prefer.

Key World Cup 2026 Dates in Eastern Time

The 2026 World Cup runs for 39 days, and all official TV grids in the U.S. list matches in ET. Here’s the full 2026 FIFA World Cup TV schedule EST for every match, channel, and streaming option for U.S. viewers.

• Opening match: Thursday, June 11, 2026 – Mexico vs South Africa from Mexico City, 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo, with FOX coverage starting at 1:00 p.m. ET.
• Group stage: June 11 – July 3, 2026.
• Knockout rounds (Round of 32 to semi‑finals): July 4 – July 15, 2026.
• Third‑place match: Saturday, July 18, 2026.
• World Cup Final: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – 3:00 p.m. ET, live from MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey) on FOX and Telemundo, with a three‑hour pre‑game show starting at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Typical World Cup 2026 Kick-off Times in ET

Because the tournament is spread across multiple time zones in North America, FIFA and broadcasters have locked in a set of standard kick‑off windows in Eastern Time.

Across the group stage, most days will use some combination of:

• 12:00 p.m. ET – midday kick‑offs
• 3:00 p.m. ET – afternoon slot (very common)
• 6:00 p.m. ET – early evening window
• 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m. ET – late prime‑time, especially for West Coast and some Mexico matches

2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST shows these windows repeating throughout June and early July, always in ET, with FOX/FS1 and Telemundo/Peacock indicated alongside each game.

Opening Match & Host Nations on U.S. TV (ET)

Mexico – Opening match

• Mexico vs South Africa (Group A)
  • Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
  • Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: FOX, FOX One, Telemundo, Peacock
  • FOX pre‑game starts at 1:00 p.m. ET, with Tubi also simulcasting the opener.

United States – Group D schedule (Eastern Time)

FOX has built its World Cup coverage around the USMNT, with extended pre‑game shows and prime‑time windows:

• USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
  • Friday, June 12 – 9:00 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo (plus streaming on FOX One and Peacock).
• USA vs Australia – Seattle Stadium
  • Friday, June 19 – 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX, with pre‑game from 1:00 p.m. ET.
• USA vs UEFA Playoff C winner (Türkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo) – Los Angeles
  • Thursday, June 25 – 10:00 p.m. ET on FOX, prime‑time on the West and late night on the East Coast.

All three U.S. group matches will also be shown in Spanish on Telemundo and streamed on Peacock.

Canada – Group B highlights (ET)

• Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina – BMO Field, Toronto
  • Friday, June 12 – 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo.

Follow‑up group matches 2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST against Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver are scheduled into the 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET windows respectively, with English and Spanish coverage on the usual networks.

Big Group-stage TV Days in ET

FOX and Telemundo have built several “marathon” days around star players and big nations, all shown with ET kick‑off times.

For example, FOX’s release highlights a triple‑header on Tuesday, June 16:

• France vs Senegal – from New York/New Jersey, 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX
• Playoff winner vs Norway – from Boston, 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX
• Argentina vs Algeria – from Kansas City, 9:00 p.m. ET on FOX

SportsMediaWatch also lists full ET timings for other headline fixtures like:

• Brazil vs Morocco – East Rutherford, 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1
• Germany vs Curaçao – Houston, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
• Netherlands vs Japan – Arlington, 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX
• Spain vs Cape Verde – Atlanta, 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX
• England vs Croatia – Arlington, 4:00 p.m. ET on FOX

All of these matches are also available in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock.

Knockout Stage TV Schedule in Eastern Time

Round of 32

• Dates: June 27 – July 2, 2026.
• Two matches most days, typically in afternoon and evening ET windows (for example, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00/8:00 p.m. ET).
• Broadcast: Split between FOX and FS1, plus Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish.

Round of 16

• Dates: July 4 – July 7, 2026.
• From the Round of 16 onwards, every match airs on FOX network TV, with coverage windows like 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET on July 4 featuring two knockout games in a single day.
• Spanish coverage remains on Telemundo/Peacock.

Quarter-finals, semi-finals & final (ET)

• Quarter‑finals: July 10–11 – afternoon and evening ET slots on FOX.
• Semi‑finals: July 14–15 – prime‑time style windows on FOX with extended studio coverage in ET.
• Third‑place match: July 18 – evening ET.
• Final: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo, with pre‑game from 12:00 p.m. ET and post‑match shows.

How to Watch and Stream the World Cup in ET

If you live in the 2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST (Eastern Time zone or just want to follow ET scheduling), you have several options:

• Free over‑the‑air:
  • Local FOX and Telemundo stations (via antenna) will carry a large share of matches.
• Cable/satellite:
  • Packages that include FOX, FS1, Telemundo and Universo will give you full English + Spanish coverage.
• Live TV streaming services:
  • Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream – most carry FOX, FS1 and Telemundo in many markets; check local channel maps.
• Apps and direct streaming:
  • FOX One + FOX Sports app – 4K streams of every match (with TV provider login).
  • Peacock – all 104 matches live in Spanish, plus replays and studio shows.

FAQs: 2026 FIFA World Cup TV Schedule EST