Fox Sports has announced plans to broadcast a record 69 matches from the 2026 World Cup on linear television, the most ever for American network television. This unprecedented figure was revealed in a statement made on Wednesday by the network.
Major Broadcasting Developments for the 2026 World Cup
According to Eric Shanks, CEO and executive producer of Fox Sports, this year’s tournament will mark the largest production in the company’s 32-year history. One of the standout features is that Fox will air nearly two-thirds of the tournament’s total 104 matches on broadcast television.
Comparison with Previous Tournaments
During the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, Fox aired only 34 matches, which was significantly less than the planned output for the upcoming tournament. In contrast, all of the remaining 35 matches will air on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), a channel that showcased 60 World Cup encounters last year.
Access to Games
Fans will have multiple options to watch the games. Every match will also be available through the Fox One streaming service and the Fox Sports app. The complete broadcast schedule for the tournament will be disclosed after the FIFA World Cup draw, set for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Historical Context and Future Details
The 2026 World Cup will be notable as it returns to the U.S. for the first time since 1994, the year when the nation hosted the entire tournament. This edition will feature 16 host cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
The tournament will commence with its opening match on June 28, 2026, and conclude with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Number of Matches on Fox: 69
- Total Matches in 2026 World Cup: 104
- Opening Match Date: June 28, 2026
- Final Match Date: July 19, 2026
- Host Cities: 16 (U.S., Mexico, Canada)
