2026 World Cup: How to Watch All the Matches in France

To watch the 2026 World Cup, there are two options in France: M6 (free-to-air) for 54 matches (including all of France’s games, the opening match, and the final) or beIN Sports for all 104 matches. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. TF1 and DAZN will not broadcast any matches. This practical guide details the steps to follow to watch each match based on your preferences, budget, and location, including multi-screen options and tips for watching from abroad.

Key points to remember

• M6 = 54 free-to-air matches on DTT and M6+, including the opening match, all of Les Bleus' matches, the semifinals, and the final.
• beIN Sports = 104 matches (the entire tournament), including 50 exclusive highlights, for about €15/month with no commitment.
• Time difference: 6 to 9 hours from France, depending on the host cities, which means many matches will take place in the late afternoon or evening in France.
• Outside France: M6+ and beIN Sports Connect restrict access outside France; check with local channels depending on your country.
• A shared subscription lets you reduce your beIN Sports bill by sharing the subscription with verified users.

How do I choose between M6 and beIN Sports to watch the World Cup?

The choice depends on how committed you are. If you just want to watch Les Bleus’ matches, the semifinals, and the final, the free-to-air channel M6 is all you need—without spending a penny. If you don’t want to miss a single moment of the tournament, beIN Sports is a must-have with its 50 exclusive matches.

M6 broadcasts the 54 matches considered most appealing to the general public: the opening match, France’s matches, major showdowns, the semifinals, and the final. beIN Sports covers the rest, including the less high-profile group stage matches and the knockout rounds outside of France. If you also follow other sports competitions, a beIN Sports subscription includes the Top 14, the Europa League, and Wimbledon. Our guide to streaming sports content compares the different platforms.

What equipment do you need to watch the 2026 World Cup?

To watch M6 over-the-air, all you need is a TV connected to digital terrestrial television (DTT). No set-top box or subscription is required. The channel also offers free streaming on M6+, which is available on computers, smartphones, tablets, Chromecast, Apple TV, and newer Smart TVs.

For beIN Sports, the beIN Sports Connect app works on most devices: iOS, Android, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Fire TV. A fiber connection is recommended for latency-free 1080p streaming. ISP set-top boxes (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) often include beIN Sports as a low-cost option, depending on current promotional offers.

How can I watch the 2026 World Cup for free?

The 100% free option is available through M6 and its affiliated channels. On digital terrestrial TV (DTT), M6 is on channel 6, W9 on channel 9, and 6ter on channel 22. M6+ offers free live streaming and on-demand viewing with registration via email. No credit card, no commitment, no trial period.

In total, the 54 M6 matches include: the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, Les Bleus’ three group stage matches (June 16, 22, and 26), the semifinals (July 14–15), and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. For more information, check out our guide to the 2026 World Cup, which includes a day-by-day schedule available for free streaming.

Want to enjoy beIN Sports 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.

How do I subscribe to beIN Sports for the World Cup?

You can sign up for a beIN Sports Connect subscription directly on the official website, beinsports.com, for about €15 per month with no commitment. All you need is a credit card. The service becomes active immediately after payment is confirmed, giving you access to the three channels: beIN Sports 1, 2, and 3.

TV service providers (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) often offer beIN Sports as an option included in their TV packages, with specific rates depending on your contract. Canal+ also includes beIN Sports in certain bundled packages. Comparing the different subscription options allows you to optimize your monthly cost. Our guide to beIN Sports subscriptions details each option.

How can I watch the World Cup while abroad?

M6+ and beIN Sports Connect use IP geolocation to restrict access to French residents. When you're abroad, your apps will work for only a few days before blocking sports content.

Solutions vary by country. In Europe, local broadcasters (TF1 in French-speaking Belgium via RTBF, SRG SSR in Switzerland, ARD/ZDF in Germany) cover major matches on free-to-air TV. In the United States, Fox Sports and Telemundo are the primary rights holders. In Canada, TSN and CBC share the rights. For temporary stays, some travelers use a VPN, which may violate the platforms’ terms of use. The legal option remains the local channel in the country where you are staying.

How can I watch multiple games at the same time?

During the group stage, two matches can be played at the same time. To watch them side by side, a multi-screen setup is the most convenient: one TV for the main match and a tablet or smartphone for the other.

The M6+ app allows only one simultaneous connection per account. beIN Sports Connect allows up to two connections on different devices. The combination of M6 via DTT (free, unlimited screens) and beIN Sports on the mobile app offers an optimal setup for evenings with multiple games. Our guide to streaming sports content details best practices for multi-screen viewing.

What are the game times in France?

With a time difference of 6 to 9 hours, games played in the United States, Canada, and Mexico are broadcast primarily in the afternoon and evening in France. Kickoffs between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time correspond to approximately 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Paris.

Les Bleus' matches follow this schedule: France vs. Senegal on June 16 in New York, France vs. Iraq on June 22 in Philadelphia, and Norway vs. France on June 26 in Boston. The exact kickoff times will be announced by FIFA a few weeks before each match. The final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium will be played in the mid-afternoon in New York, which is early evening in France.

How can you save money on gym memberships?

The total cost of following the World Cup, Ligue 1, and other competitions can reach 50–60 € per month when you combine all the services. To reduce this cost, a shared subscription splits the cost of a single subscription among verified users, in accordance with each platform’s terms of use.

The spliiit platform spliiit this legal solution for a wide range of sports and streaming services. This also applies to sharing RMC Sport subscriptions,M6 Premium subscriptions, and TF1 subscriptions. Users are verified, and payments are secure.

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.

How can I watch the games on replay if I missed the live broadcast?

On M6, replays are available on M6+ for 7 days after the live broadcast, free of charge and without a subscription. Each game can be watched in its entirety or via the short highlights provided as a supplement.

On beIN Sports, replays are available via beIN Sports Connect with an active subscription. The viewing window extends up to 30 days for major matches (knockout rounds). Analytical programs and video highlights accompany each matchday. As for M6’s World Cup coverage, the service also offers exclusive content such as press conferences and behind-the-scenes footage of Les Bleus.

What's the best way to follow the entire tournament?

The best package for fans: TNT (free, with M6 available unencrypted) + a beIN Sports subscription (€15/month for two months, or €30) + a fiber connection for HD streaming. This setup covers 100% of the 104 matches so you won’t miss a thing.

To reduce the cost of beIN Sports, a shared subscription through spliiit the bill among verified users. This brings the personal cost well below €30. Our comprehensive guide to the 2026 World Cup broadcast details each option with specific figures.

Frequently asked questions

Which channel will broadcast the French national team's matches at the 2026 World Cup?

M6 will broadcast all of the French national team’s group stage matches: France vs. Senegal on June 16, France vs. Iraq on June 22, and Norway vs. France on June 26. beIN Sports will also broadcast these matches. If France advances to the knockout stage, M6 will retain the rights to the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

Can you watch the 2026 World Cup for free via streaming?

Yes, M6+ offers all 54 M6 matches via free live streaming, with no commitment—all you need to do is sign up with your email address. No credit card required. The platform is accessible on compatible computers, smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs.

How can I watch the 2026 World Cup final?

The final will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It will be broadcast for free on M6 and as a paid option on beIN Sports. Kickoff is scheduled for mid-afternoon in New York, which is early evening in mainland France.

How much does a subscription cost to watch the entire World Cup?

beIN Sports Connect costs about 15 €/month with no commitment, or 30 € for the two months of the tournament. M6 is free. With a shared subscription, verified users can split the cost of beIN Sports through a platform like spliiit, in accordance with the Terms of Service.

Will the 2026 World Cup be broadcast on Canal+ or DAZN?

No. Canal+ does not broadcast any live matches (but does offer highlights and analysis). DAZN does not hold the rights either. Only M6 and beIN Sports broadcast all or part of the 104 matches in mainland France.

Do you need a fiber connection to stream sports?

Fiber is recommended for buffer-free 1080p streaming on M6+ or beIN Sports Connect. With standard ADSL, the quality automatically drops to 720p or 480p depending on available bandwidth. A minimum download speed of 10 Mbps ensures an acceptable viewing experience. 4G/5G also works on the go, with quality varying depending on network coverage.

Can you record games on your set-top box?

Yes. Set-top boxes from major providers (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) include a recording feature—either on the set-top box itself or in the cloud. You can schedule recordings of any M6 or beIN Sports game directly from the TV guide to watch them later. Storage capacity depends on your plan. For web streaming, M6+ and beIN Sports Connect offer full replays for several days after the broadcast.

Is there an official FIFA app for following the tournament?

Yes, FIFA offers an official app that includes schedules, real-time scores, standings, statistics, and some video content. The app does not stream live matches in France due to broadcasting rights. It is still a useful supplement for notifications, team lineups, and referee information.

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