The expanded coverage comes as the World Cup heads to North America for the first time since 1994, with matches to be played across host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The decision marks a significant increase in Fox’s main network exposure for the tournament — 66% of all matches will air on the primary channel, compared to just 34% during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when 35 of 64 games were shown on Fox and 29 aired on FS1.
By contrast, during the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Fox broadcast 38 matches on its main network and 26 on FS1, underscoring the growing commitment to make more matches widely accessible to viewers on free-to-air television.
In addition to the expanded match coverage, Fox Sports announced it will deliver 340 hours of first-run programming related to the tournament — an increase of 100 hours compared to the last edition — including match previews, analysis shows, and behind-the-scenes features.
The 2026 tournament, featuring a 48-team format for the first time, is expected to be the largest and most watched World Cup in history. Fox’s broader broadcast reach aims to capture the excitement of a home-continent tournament and bring the world’s biggest sporting event to millions of fans across North America.