Football fans are in for a treat over the next couple of years, with the upcoming calendar packed with major club and international tournaments. There will be plenty of focus on North America as it prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n
The Club World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments in 2025 will serve as useful warm-up events for the World Cup organisers. With that in mind, read on as we look at the preparations for the 2026 World Cup, starting with FIFA\u2019s plans for broadcasting the tournament worldwide.<\/p>\n
FIFA has invited tenders for the media rights to the next two editions of the World Cup, and they will decide which organisations are best placed to meet their broadcast requirements. The governing body also offers broadcasters the right to secure the rights to air the 2025 editions of the Club World Cup and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.<\/p>\n
At the time of writing (October 2024), only a handful of broadcast deals have been agreed. However, many of the companies who screened the 2022 World Cup will likely retain their rights.<\/p>\n
The broadcasters for the tournament in Qatar were as follows:<\/p>\n
Albania \u2013 RTSH
\nArmenia \u2013 ARMTV
\nAustralia \u2013 SBS
\nAustria \u2013 ORF
\nAzerbaijan \u2013 \u0130TV
\nBelarus \u2013 BTRC
\nBelgium \u2013 VRT, RTBF
\nBolivia \u2013 Unitel
\nBosnia and Herzegovina \u2013 BHRT
\nBrazil \u2013 TV Globo, SporTV
\nBulgaria \u2013 BNT
\nCanada \u2013 CTV, TSN, RDS
\nCaribbean \u2013 International Media Content, SportsMax
\nChina \u2013 CCTV
\nColombia \u2013 Caracol Television \u2013 RCN Television \u2013 Win Sports
\nCosta Rica \u2013 Teletica
\nCroatia \u2013 HRT
\nCyprus \u2013 CyBC
\nCzech Republic \u2013 CT
\nDenmark \u2013 DR \u2013 TV 2
\nEstonia \u2013 ERR
\nEurope \u2013 European Broadcasting Union (37 countries)
\nFinland \u2013 Yle, MTV3
\nFrance \u2013 TF1, beIN SPORTS
\nGermany \u2013 ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom
\nGuatemala \u2013 TV Azteca, Tigo Sports
\nGreece \u2013 ANT1
\nGeorgia \u2013 GPB
\nHong Kong \u2013 PCCW
\nHungary \u2013 MTVA
\nIceland \u2013 RUV
\nIndia \u2013 Viacom18
\nIndonesia \u2013 RCTI, MNCTV, iNews
\nIreland \u2013 RTE
\nIsrael \u2013 IPBC
\nItaly \u2013 RAI
\nJapan \u2013 NHK General TV, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo
\nKosovo \u2013 RTK
\nLatvia \u2013 LTV
\nLithuania \u2013 LRT
\nLuxembourg \u2013 RTL Group
\nMalta \u2013 PBS
\nMexico \u2013 Televisa, Sky M\u00e9xico, TUDN, TV Azteca
\nMiddle East and North Africa \u2013 beIN SPORTS
\nMoldova \u2013 TRM
\nMontenegro \u2013 RTCG
\nNetherlands \u2013 NOS
\nNew Zealand \u2013 Sky Sport
\nNorth Macedonia \u2013 MRT
\nPakistan \u2013 PTV Sports
\nPeru – Latina
\nPoland \u2013 TVP
\nPortugal \u2013 RTP
\nRomania \u2013 TVR
\nRussia \u2013 Perviy Kanal, VGTRK, Match TV
\nSerbia \u2013 RTS
\nSlovakia \u2013 RTVS
\nSpain \u2013 Mediapro
\nSouth Africa \u2013 SuperSport
\nSub-Saharan Africa \u2013 SuperSport
\nSweden \u2013 SVT, TV4
\nSwitzerland \u2013 SRG SSR
\nTurkey \u2013 TRT
\nUkraine \u2013 Suspilne
\nUnited Kingdom \u2013 BBC, ITV
\nUnited States \u2013 Fox, Telemundo, Universo<\/p>\n
From a preparation point of view, the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup will play a key role in laying the foundations for a successful World Cup tournament the following year. The venues in the US are mainly in the western part of the country to avoid major scheduling conflicts with the Club World Cup. Sixteen international teams participate in the tournament which features a group stage followed by knockout rounds to determine the eventual winner.<\/p>\n The 2025 Club World Cup is scheduled to be played in the US from June 15 to July 13. It will be the first to be played under an expanded format with 32 clubs. The tournament will take place on the East Coast to be closer to European time zones for broadcast purposes and to avoid clashes with the CONCACAF Gold Cup.<\/p>\n FIFA has been widely criticised for expanding the tournament, with many clubs saying they have prioritised revenue generation over the health of players. The governing body has rejected those claims, saying the schedule for the Club World Cup was aligned with the FIFA international match calendar.<\/p>\n The 2022 World Cup in Qatar<\/a> set several new engagement records, and the expanded 2026 tournament is guaranteed to push things to another level. The final between Argentina and France achieved a global reach of around 1.5 billion viewers, a sizeable proportion of whom watched on live-streaming platforms.<\/p>\n With the majority of media rights for the next tournament yet to be awarded, fans will need to keep an eye on announcements from FIFA to determine where they can find live streams. However, the following outlets will likely be a good place to find live soccer streams<\/a> for fans located in some of the most heavily populated jurisdictions worldwide:<\/p>\n United Kingdom \u2013 BBC, ITV Having successfully staged the 1994 World Cup, expectations are high on the US given they will be the primary hosts for the 2026 edition. They are scheduled to host three-quarters of the fixtures, but issues at the 2024 Copa America tournament have raised doubts about their ability to be World Cup hosts.<\/p>\n Ticketing chaos at the final has cast a shadow over their preparations, while security and pitch concerns raised by Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa have not helped matters.<\/p>\n The US also failed to cover themselves in glory on the pitch, making an early exit from the tournament which triggered a change in manager. While Mexico\u2019s infrastructure is largely in place to host the World Cup, things are much less settled where the team is concerned. They failed to get out of a relatively favourable group at the 2024 Copa America, prompting the nation\u2019s football bosses to turn to a former manager to take the team forward.<\/p>\n Javier Aguirre was named head coach of Mexico for a third time and will have former captain Rafael Marquez as his assistant. They have been tasked with getting a tune out of a squad which is in a transitional state and has less than two years to get them in tournament shape. Vancouver and Toronto will stage a combined 13 matches in stadiums which will undergo renovation work before the tournament gets underway. Improvements at BC Place<\/a> and BMO Field will help to generate more revenue, thus providing additional economic benefits for each city.<\/p>\n A stellar run to the semi-finals of the 2024 Copa America has ramped up expectations on the team and progressing to the knockout stage is not beyond the realms of possibility.<\/p>\n Manager Jesse Marsch has some talented players at his disposal, although the lack of a prolific goalscorer is a major cause for concern. Despite this, Canada will be eager to demonstrate the progress they made at Copa America was no fluke by at least making it beyond the opening phase at the World Cup.<\/p>\n Here are the host cities, stadiums, dates and fixtures for the 2026 World Cup:<\/p>\n June 15, 2026: Group stage June 13, 2026: Group stage June 14, 2026: Group stage June 14, 2026: Group stage June 16, 2026: Group stage June 12, 2026: USMNT group stage June 15, 2026: Group stage June 13, 2026: Group stage June 14, 2026: Group stage June 13, 2026: Group stage June 15, 2026: Group stage June 11, 2026: Group stage June 14, 2026: Group stage June 12, 2026: Canada group stage June 13, 2026: Group stage Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Uruguay, Spain and England are the only teams to have won the World Cup and the 2026 winner will likely come from that group.<\/p>\n Reigning champions Argentina will fancy their chances of going back-to-back, although their hopes could be hindered if Lionel Messi<\/a> retires from international football. Brazil will also expect to make a deep run despite failing to get their hands on the prestigious trophy since emerging victorious in 2002.<\/p>\n Spain appeal as the most likely winner from Europe\u2019s contingent of teams given the way they triumphed at the 2024 European Championship in Germany. They deservedly beat England in the final \u2013 a result which led to Gareth Southgate finally stepping down as the Three Lions manager.<\/p>\n He has been replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who has won a plethora of silverware at club level in several major European leagues.
\nThe US and Canada will host the tournament<\/a>, which is scheduled to run from June 14 until July 6. The event is the men’s soccer championship of the North, Central American and Caribbean region.<\/p>\nClub World Cup 2025<\/h3>\n
Live Streaming<\/h3>\n
\nUnited States \u2013 Fox Sports, Telemundo
\nCanada \u2013 Bell Media
\nAustralia \u2013 SBS
\nIndia \u2013 Viacom 18<\/p>\nWorld Cup 2026 \u2013 Host Nations<\/h3>\n
United States<\/h3>\n
\nMauricio Pochettino has been tasked with leading the US into the World Cup and he will be under immense pressure to ensure they do themselves justice on home soil.<\/p>\nMexico<\/h3>\n
\nHowever, a 2-0 victory over the US in a friendly in October 2024 suggests Aguirre will have the team where it needs to be when the World Cup is staged.<\/p>\nCanada<\/h3>\n
World Cup 2026 \u2013 Host Cities, Stadiums, Dates & Fixtures<\/h3>\n
United States<\/h3>\n
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta<\/h3>\n
\nJune 18, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 21, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 1, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 7, 2026: Round of 16
\nJuly 15, 2026: Semi-final<\/p>\nGillette Stadium, Foxborough<\/h3>\n
\nJune 16, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 19, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 23, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 29, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 9, 2026: Quarter-final<\/p>\nAT&T Stadium, Arlington<\/h3>\n
\nJune 17, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 22, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 30, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 3, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 6, 2026: Round of 16
\nJuly 14, 2026: Semi-final<\/p>\nNRG Stadium, Houston<\/h3>\n
\nJune 17, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 20, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 23, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 29, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 4, 2026: Round of 16<\/p>\nGEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City<\/h3>\n
\nJune 20, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 3, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 11, 2026: Quarter-final<\/p>\nSoFi Stadium, Inglewood<\/h3>\n
\nJune 15, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 18, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 21, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: USMNT group stage
\nJune 28, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 2, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 10, 2026: Quarter-final<\/p>\nHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens<\/h3>\n
\nJune 21, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 3, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 11, 2026: Quarter-final
\nJuly 18, 2026: Third place play-off<\/p>\nMetLife Stadium, East Rutherford<\/h3>\n
\nJune 16, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 22, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 30, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 5, 2026: Round of 16
\nJuly 19, 2026: World Cup Final<\/p>\nLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia<\/h3>\n
\nJune 19, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 22, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 27, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 4, 2026: Round of 16<\/p>\nLevi\u2019s Stadium, Santa Clara<\/h3>\n
\nJune 16, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 19, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 22, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 25, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 1, 2026: Round of 32<\/p>\nLumen Field, Seattle<\/h3>\n
\nJune 19, 2026: USMNT group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 1, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 6, 2026: Round of 16<\/p>\nMexico<\/h3>\n
Estadio Akron, Zapopan<\/h3>\n
\nJune 18, 2026: Mexico group stage
\nJune 23, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nEstadio Azteca, Coyoacan
\nJune 11, 2026: Mexico group stage
\nJune 17, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Mexico group stage
\nJune 30, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 5, 2026: Round of 16<\/p>\nEstadio BBVA, Guadalupe<\/h3>\n
\nJune 20, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 29, 2026: Round of 32<\/p>\nCanada<\/h3>\n
BMO Field, Toronto<\/h3>\n
\nJune 17, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 20, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 23, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 2, 2026: Round of 32<\/p>\nBC Place, Vancouver<\/h3>\n
\nJune 18, 2026: Canada group stage
\nJune 21, 2026: Group stage
\nJune 24, 2026: Canada group stage
\nJune 26, 2026: Group stage
\nJuly 2, 2026: Round of 32
\nJuly 7, 2026: Round of 16<\/p>\nWorld Cup 2026 \u2013 Preview<\/h3>\n
\nHis track record of success will have England fans dreaming of glory, but it would be a brave move to think they have what it takes to overhaul football\u2019s top nations.<\/p>\n