Fox Announces it Will air 69 World Cup Matches This Summer

Fox has broadcast some of the biggest sporting events in the US, but nothing will compare to its 2026 World Cup schedule.

The network has announced it will broadcast 69 matches from the upcoming tournament, which will take place in North America. That will make the tournament the largest production in history. By comparison, only 24 matches were aired during the 2022 World Cup.

All Fox broadcasts for the 2026 World Cup will also be available in the Fox One and Fox Sports apps.

Expanded Tournament, Location Led to More Broadcasts

There are two reasons for Fox’s decision to bump up the coverage for this summer’s World Cup.

The first is that the tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time in history. That means an additional 16 teams will qualify for the World Cup, giving smaller countries a chance to compete. The larger field requires more matches, but that doesn’t account for the full increase in coverage. 

Another factor is the location of the 2026 World Cup. Matches will be played across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the latter hosting the majority. That will engage more fans, who can watch the tournament in prime time thanks to the local time zone.

Good News for World Cup Bettors

In addition to an expanded tournament field, this will also be the first World Cup where sports betting will be legal in the majority of US states. That has the industry preparing for a historic volume of wagers, especially now that fans will be able to watch a record number of matches. 

Sportsbooks are looking to capture as much of the World Cup betting market share as they can. This will lead to some of the best free bet offers in the industry, allowing bettors a chance to increase their winnings. 

US to See Record Prime Time Matches

With soccer fans found around the world, many are forced to wait until late at night for World Cup matches hosted outside their local time zones. This can affect viewership in countries like the US, especially since avoiding spoilers is nearly impossible for fans who want to record matches overnight and watch them the following day.

The US will be setting a record for prime-time matches during the World Cup. This is expected to lead to a significant uptick in viewers, especially during one of the slowest sports seasons of the year.