It's the biggest World Cup ever, and most of it is free
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 and runs through July 19, with 104 matches spread across the US, Canada, and Mexico. You'd think that adds up to a lot of subscription fees. It mostly doesn't.
Start with what FOX is giving you for nothing
FOX is broadcasting 70 matches free on network television, while Telemundo is airing 92 matches free over the air in Spanish. A cheap digital antenna handles both. If you haven't cut the cord yet, this is a decent reminder to think about it.
Two games are also streaming free on Tubi: the opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, and the US's first match against Paraguay on June 12. Tubi is carrying all three opening ceremonies in 4K for free, with no account needed.
Where the free ride ends
The 34 matches on FS1 require either a cable subscription, a live TV streaming service, or a FOX One subscription at $19.99 a month. Those are spread across the group stage, so you won't miss anything in the knockout rounds. FOX One offers a 7-day free trial, which conveniently covers the first week of the tournament if you want to test the waters.
The YouTube angle worth knowing
Every match has its first 10 minutes streaming free on official broadcaster YouTube channels, with select games available in full, as part of a deal FIFA struck with YouTube in March. It's not a full solution, but it's a useful fallback when you just want to check in on a game without hunting for a stream.
Don't sleep on radio
If you're driving or stuck at your desk when a match kicks off, live commentary is a real option. FOX Sports is providing English-language commentary for all 104 matches through the iHeartRadio app, which is completely free on Android. Not the same as watching, but better than checking your phone every five minutes for score updates.
In the UK, you can catch the live commentary directly on the BBC Sports app.
Catching up on goals you missed
If you can't watch live, highlights are well covered for free. The Fox Sports app offers highlights, commentary, and full-match replays without a subscription. It's the most obvious first stop if you just want to see what happened.
FIFA+ handles highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and press conferences throughout the tournament, also free. Worth having on your phone alongside the Fox Sports app since the two cover slightly different angles.
YouTube is the third option, and arguably the most frictionless. Official broadcaster channels are posting clips throughout the tournament as part of the FIFA deal, so searching for a match after the fact is a reliable way to find a highlights package quickly without going anywhere specific.
The apps you actually need
Download the Fox Sports app for live scores, highlights, and streaming when you're signed in. Grab Tubi for the free matches. iHeartRadio handles audio. The Fox Sports app also supports picture-in-picture on Android, which is worth knowing if you need to keep half an eye on a game while doing something else.
Watching from the UK?
BBC and ITV share rights to all 104 matches, all of which are free-to-air, with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. UK readers have it easier than anyone.
The bottom line
Between an antenna, Tubi, the FOX broadcast schedule, and the YouTube deal, you can watch the majority of this tournament without spending anything. The FS1 matches are the gap, and a free trial fills that for the opening week. It's a better situation than it has any right to be.
Not sure when your team is playing?
No problem. We've got a searchable schedule of all the matches for you below, covering your favorite US timezone.
