The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming, and it's a big one - 104 matches spread across the US, Canada, and Mexico, which means more football than any World Cup in history. The good news? You don't need a cable subscription from 1987 to watch any of it.
According to Mashable, there are genuinely affordable ways to stream every single match in both English and Spanish, and we're here to break down what actually matters so you don't waste money panic-buying the wrong service two hours before kickoff.
So who actually has the rights?
Fox and Telemundo are splitting coverage in the US - Fox handles English-language broadcasts while Telemundo covers Spanish-language commentary. That's your starting point for figuring out which streaming path makes sense for you.
For the English crowd, Fubo TV is one of the most straightforward options since it carries Fox Sports channels and is built around live sports. It's not the cheapest thing in the world, but if you're a sports household, you're probably already eyeing it anyway.
Peacock is the play for Telemundo's Spanish-language coverage, and here's the kicker - Peacock's paid tier is genuinely one of the more affordable streaming subscriptions out there. If you want to watch in Spanish (or just prefer a more passionate broadcast, let's be honest), this is your move.
Can you do it for free?
Technically, yes. Fox has a free live streaming option through the Fox Sports app and website, but you'll need to log in with a TV provider or navigate a free preview situation. It's worth checking, especially for group stage matches when you're just trying to catch your lunch break game on a work laptop like the chaotic sports fan you are.
The cheap route that actually works
If you want maximum coverage at minimum cost, the smartest combo according to Mashable's breakdown is pairing a Peacock subscription for Spanish broadcasts with the free Fox streaming options for English. You get full tournament coverage without locking yourself into a bloated cable bundle you'll forget to cancel until 2029.
There are also live TV streaming bundles like Sling TV and DirecTV Stream that carry the relevant channels, but those tend to cost more per month - fine if you want them for other reasons, overkill if World Cup is literally your only goal.
The bottom line
104 matches is a lot of football. Start figuring out your setup now, not the night before the opener, because nothing ruins a tournament like scrambling through a paywall at 8:59am for a match that kicks off at 9. Your future self will thank you.
