Canal+ and the 2026 World Cup: What You Need to Know

Canal+ will not broadcast any live matches from the 2026 World Cup. The French broadcast rights are split between M6 (54 free-to-air matches) and beIN Sports (104 matches in total, including 50 exclusive matches). The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Canal+ remains, however, a premium platform for soccer, featuring the Champions League starting with the 2026–2027 season, and offers magazine shows, analysis, and replays related to the World Cup. Here’s how Canal+ is positioning itself during the World Cup and why subscription sharing remains relevant for other competitions.

Key points to remember

• Canal+ will not broadcast the 2026 World Cup live: the rights are held by M6 (free-to-air) and beIN Sports (pay-TV).
• Canal+ offers a beIN Sports option through certain premium packages, providing access to 104 games.
• The Champions League returns to Canal+ starting with the 2026–2027 season, in addition to the Top 14, Formula 1, and other sports competitions.
• A Canal+ subscription starts at around 15–20 €/month, depending on the plan; Canal+ Sport costs about 30 €/month.
• A shared subscription allows you to reduce your Canal+ bill through legal sharing among verified users.

Will Canal+ broadcast the 2026 World Cup?

No, Canal+ will not broadcast any live matches from the 2026 World Cup. The French broadcast rights are held by only two broadcasters: M6 for free-to-air broadcasts (54 unencrypted matches) and beIN Sports for full pay-TV coverage (104 matches, including 50 exclusive matches).

This is an unusual situation. Canal+ had broadcast some matches from previous tournaments under a sublicense, but the FIFA agreement for 2026 does not grant it any live matches. That doesn't mean Canal+ is absent: the channel offers magazine shows, analysis, and editorial content related to the tournament.

How can I watch the World Cup with a Canal+ subscription?

The easiest option is to add beIN Sports to your Canal+ package. Several Canal+ premium packages include beIN Sports or allow you to add it as an option, giving you access to all 104 World Cup matches. Canal+ and beIN Sports are available through the traditional packages.

For free matches, M6 remains available via digital terrestrial television (DTT) or via M6+ streaming, without requiring a Canal+ subscription. The combination of Canal+ Premium and beIN Sports covers 100% of the tournament. Our guide to the 2026 World Cup broadcast schedule details each option by channel.

What content is Canal+ offering for the World Cup?

Without broadcasting the matches live, Canal+ can offer in-depth analysis programs, daily post-match recaps, and editorial content focused on Les Bleus and the tournament. The network relies on its soccer journalists and analysts to break down each match day. The detailed schedule will be announced in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

The myCanal app brings together this on-demand content, which is available to subscribers. Video highlights, interviews, and feature stories round out the programming. For soccer fans, these analyses complement the live broadcasts on M6 and beIN Sports. The Canal+ schedule for this period is updated monthly on our dedicated hub.

How much will a Canal+ subscription cost in 2026?

Canal+ rates vary depending on the package you choose. Canal+ La Chaîne (the basic package) costs around €15.99 per month. Canal+ Sport, which includes the Top 14, Formula 1, and other sports competitions, is offered at €29.99 per month for the first 12 months (then €45.99 per month with a 24-month commitment). Canal+ Sport, the premium sports package, can cost up to €35–40 per month depending on promotions.

24-month contracts are often offered to provide discounted rates for the first few months. Without a contract, the full price applies. Our guide to Canal+ subscription prices details each plan, including the options and exact terms. For complete content, see also the comprehensive Canal+ guide.

Want to enjoy Canal+ without paying the full price? A co-subscription lets you split the cost by legally sharing your subscription with other verified users. Find out how it works on spliiit.

Why Does Canal+ Remain Relevant to Soccer?

Even without the World Cup, Canal+ maintains a strong position in soccer. Canal+ will continue to exclusively broadcast the UEFA Champions League for the 2026–2027 season, as part of the exclusive agreement it secured in 2024 covering the 2024–2027 seasons.

Canal+ also holds the exclusive rights to Formula 1 through 2029, the Top 14 rugby league, and the English Premier League (partially), and offers coverage of several international leagues. It will be the most comprehensive general-interest sports package after beIN Sports in 2026. For soccer fans, a Canal+ Sport subscription remains a long-term investment.

Which Canal+ subscription should you choose during the World Cup?

For the duration of the tournament only (June 11–July 19), a Canal+ subscription does not provide access to live matches. If you don't have Canal+ yet and just want to watch the World Cup, beIN Sports Live (€15/month with no commitment) is the best option.

If you're already a Canal+ subscriber, check to see if your plan includes beIN Sports. Some premium packages include this option at no extra cost. Otherwise, you can add beIN Sports as an add-on to your Canal+ subscription. For future Champions League fans watching on Canal+ starting in August 2026, an annual subscription may be a good deal. Our comparison of Canal+ sports content can help you choose the right plan.

How can I watch Canal+ and beIN Sports at the same time?

There are several ways to subscribe to both services. The most cost-effective option is a Canal+ subscription with the beIN Sports option included, which has historically been negotiated between the two groups. Set-top box providers (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) often offer combined Canal+/beIN Sports packages at negotiated rates.

If you consider each service separately, expect to pay about 15–20 €/month for Canal+ La Chaîne plus 15 €/month for beIN Sports Connect, for a total of 30–35 €/month. A shared subscription reduces this cost by splitting it among verified users. To legally share a Canal+ subscription, spliiit a secure solution.

How can I save money on Canal+ Sport?

Canal+ Sport at €30/month comes to €360 per year at the full price. There are several ways to reduce this expense: a 24-month commitment with a welcome offer, a bundled package with a streaming service, or a shared subscription among verified users.

A shared subscription splits the cost of a single Canal+ subscription among multiple users, in accordance with the Terms of Service. The spliiit platform spliiit this legal solution for many premium services. You retain access to the entire Canal+ lineup, while paying only a fraction of the full price. This also applies to the Champions League starting in August 2026.

Save up to 70% on your streaming subscriptions with co-subscriptions. spliiit verified users so they can share their subscriptions legally. See how it works.

What sports events will Canal+ broadcast after the World Cup?

For the 2026–2027 season, Canal+ will continue to exclusively broadcast the UEFA Champions League as part of its 2024–2027 agreement. During the 2026–2027 season, Canal+ will broadcast all Champions League matches, as well as the Coupe de France and several international competitions.

The Top 14 remains on Canal+ with full coverage of all matches. Formula 1 will continue to air exclusively on Canal+ through 2029. The English Premier League is split between Canal+ and other broadcasters, depending on the season. When it comes to watching the 2026 World Cup, Canal+ plays a secondary role, but for the rest of the sports year, it’s a central platform.

Does Canal+ offer replays of the World Cup?

Canal+ does not broadcast the matches live, so there are no full replays of the games available on VOD. However, the analytical programs, highlights, interviews, and features produced by the network about the tournament are available for subscribers to watch on myCanal.

For full match replays, tune in to M6+ (M6 matches, free, 7 days after broadcast) or beIN Sports Connect (104 matches, up to 30 days for the knockout stages). Canal+ enhances the experience with editorial content, not by simply broadcasting the matches.

Frequently asked questions

Will Canal+ broadcast the 2026 World Cup matches?

No. Canal+ will not be broadcasting any live matches from the 2026 World Cup. The rights are held by M6 (54 free-to-air matches) and beIN Sports (104 matches in total). Canal+ may offer analytical programs and editorial content related to the tournament, but not live matches.

Can we watch the World Cup on myCanal?

No, not live. myCanal does not have the broadcast rights. However, if your Canal+ package includes the beIN Sports option, you can watch all 104 games on the beIN Sports channels available on myCanal. Check your package to confirm that it’s included.

How much will Canal+ Sport cost in 2026?

A standard subscription to Canal+ Sport costs about €29.99 per month. A 24-month commitment often entitles you to a discount on the first few months. The package includes the Top 14, Formula 1, and several other competitions. It does not provide direct access to the 2026 World Cup matches.

When will Canal+ resume broadcasting the Champions League?

Canal+ will broadcast the Champions League exclusively starting with the 2026–2027 season, beginning in August 2026. This marks a major comeback after several years without the competition. All matches will air on Canal+ Sport, with dedicated programs on the main channel.

Is it legal to share a Canal+ subscription?

Yes, through a co-subscription platform like spliiit connects verified users and complies with Canal+'s terms of service. This allows you to split the monthly cost while still having access to all of Canal+'s programming, including the Champions League starting in August 2026.

What Canal+ content is worth the subscription besides soccer?

Every year, Canal+ produces several award-winning original series, offers the latest movies shortly after their theatrical release, and airs numerous exclusive documentaries. The Canal+ La Chaîne package already covers a large portion of this premium programming. For movie and TV series fans, the subscription remains attractive even beyond sports.

Does myCanal work on Smart TVs and mobile devices?

Yes. myCanal is the official Canal+ app, available on iOS, Android, Samsung Smart TVs (2018 and later), LG Smart TVs (2019 and later), Sony Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Streaming is in 1080p Full HD over a fiber connection, with a 4K option available for certain content depending on the package. The app also allows offline downloads for subscribers who are traveling.

To enjoy Canal+ and the upcoming Champions League without breaking the bank, consider sharing a subscription. spliiit a secure platform for sharing your favorite subscriptions with verified users.