M6 and the 2026 World Cup: 54 matches available free-to-air on digital terrestrial TV

M6 is the main free-to-air broadcaster of the 2026 World Cup in France, airing 54 of the competition’s 104 matches unencrypted. The network, in partnership with W9 and M6+, is set to deliver a historic World Cup: this is the first time since 1978 that TF1 will not be involved. M6 will broadcast the opening match on June 11, all three of Les Bleus’ matches in June, the semifinals, and the final on July 19. M6+ will provide free live streaming and on-demand replays, with no paid subscription required. Here are the details of M6’s day-by-day schedule and options to make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Key points to remember

• M6 will broadcast 54 matches free-to-air, including the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11.
• All of Les Bleus' group stage matches (June 16, 22, and 26) will be broadcast on M6.
• The two semifinals (July 14–15), the third-place game (July 18), and the final (July 19) will be broadcast on M6.
• M6+ offers free live and on-demand streaming on computers, smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs.
• W9 and 6ter occasionally take over when two M6 matches are being played at the same time.

Why is M6 broadcasting the 2026 World Cup?

M6 won the FIFA bidding process for the free-to-air broadcast of the 2026 World Cup in France, beating out TF1. This is a historic achievement for the RTL France group: the channel is becoming the lead broadcaster of a men’s World Cup for the first time in its history. M6’s sports strategy has been significantly strengthened since 2023.

The group has invested heavily to secure the rights to these 54 matches, representing just over half of the tournament’s 104 games. This acquisition builds on M6’s momentum in sports coverage, as the channel already broadcasts certain auto racing and tennis competitions. It also marks a departure for TF1, which will be absent from the World Cup for the first time since 1978.

Exactly which games does M6 broadcast?

M6 has selected the 54 matches deemed most appealing to the general public. The schedule includes the opening match, all of the French national team’s group-stage matches, several high-profile group-stage showdowns, the round of 16 and quarterfinals featuring major soccer nations, the two semifinals, and the final.

Here are the specific dates: June 11, Mexico vs. South Africa (opening match, Azteca Stadium); June 16, France vs. Senegal (New York); June 22, France vs. Iraq (Philadelphia); June 26, Norway vs. France (Boston). The knockout stages follow: Round of 16 (June 28–July 2), quarterfinals (July 9–11), semifinals (July 14–15), third-place match (July 18), and final (July 19, MetLife Stadium). The channel will provide the full schedule in the days leading up to each matchday.

How can I watch M6 during the World Cup?

There are several options available. Free digital terrestrial TV (DTT) remains the simplest: connect your antenna, scan for channels, and M6 will appear on channel 6 without a subscription. The same goes for W9 (channel 9) and 6ter (channel 22), which take over when two M6 games are being played at the same time.

For streaming, M6+ offers live streaming on computers, smartphones, tablets, newer Smart TVs, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Sign-up is free via email. Set-top boxes from major providers (Free, Orange, SFR, Bouygues) include M6 at no extra cost. For more information, visit M6 Replay and 6play.

What is M6+ and how does it work?

M6+ replaced 6play in 2024. It is the M6 Group's official platform for on-demand and live streaming. It is completely free, ad-supported, and accessible with a simple email registration. No credit card, no commitment.

The service offers live streaming of M6, W9, and 6ter, plus on-demand replays of matches for 7 days after they air. A paid premium version is available as an option (ad-free, higher quality), which can be legally shared via a shared subscription. M6+ works on the web, iOS, Android, Samsung TV, LG TV, Sony TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. On fiber, the quality reaches 1080p.

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What's the M6 schedule for the opening game?

The opening match of the 2026 World Cup will be played on Thursday, June 11, at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. M6 will broadcast Mexico vs. South Africa live, with a special pre-match program dedicated to the opening ceremony and the challenges of this new 48-team format.

The Azteca Stadium has a capacity of 87,523. This is the third time the stadium has hosted a World Cup opening match, following 1970 and 1986. Kickoff is scheduled for the evening (French time). M6+ is also streaming the match for free for those who aren't watching on TV.

How can I watch the French national team's games on M6?

All three of the French national team's group stage matches will be broadcast live and free-to-air on M6. France is in Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. The draw took place on December 5, 2025, in Washington.

Schedule: France vs. Senegal on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New York (the same stadium as the final); France vs. Iraq on Monday, June 22, in Philadelphia; Norway vs. France on Friday, June 26, in Boston. The exact kickoff times will be announced by FIFA in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Didier Deschamps will announce the 26-man roster for Les Bleus in late May or early June.

What games are on W9 and 6ter?

W9 and 6ter round out the M6 lineup when two matches are played simultaneously on the network’s schedule. This happens most often during the group stage, when several high-profile matches may be scheduled for the same evening at similar times.

W9 airs M6 matches that have been rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts, primarily group stage matches. 6ter occasionally airs a few matches, depending on the final schedule. The channels are available for free on digital terrestrial TV (DTT) and via streaming on M6+. The detailed schedule will be announced week by week by M6. For a complete overview, see the full 2026 World Cup broadcast schedule.

How can I watch M6 on replay after the game?

M6+ offers on-demand replays of every game for 7 days after the live broadcast. This standard window allows viewers to catch up on games they missed during the week, either in full or through the short highlights available as a supplement.

To watch the replay, log in to m6plus.fr or the mobile app, search for the match in the "Sports" or "World Cup" section, and start playing it. Matches are available in HD depending on your internet connection. After 7 days, the matches are no longer available unless they are rebroadcast on digital terrestrial TV, which sometimes happens during major tournaments.

How can I watch M6 and M6+ from abroad?

M6+ uses IP geolocation to restrict access to French residents. When you're abroad, the service detects your IP address and blocks the content after a few days. This also applies to live streaming.

For a temporary stay abroad during the World Cup, the legal way to watch is through the local networks in the country where you are staying. In French-speaking Belgium, RTBF covers part of the tournament. In French-speaking Switzerland, it’s RTS Sport. In Germany, it’s ARD and ZDF. When you return to France, M6+ will automatically resume without any additional steps.

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Which games does M6 not broadcast?

The 50 matches not shown on M6 are broadcast exclusively on beIN Sports. These are mainly less-publicized group-stage matches involving nations with a small French audience, as well as certain knockout rounds in which France is not participating.

To follow the entire tournament, beIN Sports is a must-have in addition to M6. The subscription costs about 15 €/month with no commitment, or 30 € for the two months of the tournament. A shared subscription through spliiit this cost among verified users. For additional coverage, you can also share your M6 / M6+ Premium subscription or share TF1 for other sports programming.

How can I save money on M6+ Premium and beIN Sports?

The standard version of M6+ is free, but a premium, ad-free version is available as a paid option. For fans who follow the World Cup closely, the premium version can be a great value. The same goes for beIN Sports, which is essential if you want to watch all 104 matches.

A shared subscription splits the cost of a single service among verified users, in accordance with the terms of use. The spliiit platform spliiit this legal solution for many sports services. You retain full access to your content and pay only a fraction of the full price. For your information, this also applies to the 2026 World Cup, which will be broadcast free-to-air on any paid add-on channels.

Frequently asked questions

Is M6 really broadcasting the 2026 World Cup final?

Yes. The 2026 World Cup final will be played on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. M6 will broadcast it free-to-air, in HD. beIN Sports will also offer it as a paid option. No subscription is required to watch it on DTT channel 6 or on M6+.

How many games does M6 broadcast in total?

M6 will broadcast 54 of the 104 matches in the 2026 World Cup. That represents just over half of the tournament, including all the major matches (the opening match, France’s matches, the semifinals, and the final). The remaining 50 matches will be broadcast exclusively on beIN Sports.

Is M6+ free for watching the World Cup?

Yes. The standard version of M6+ is completely free and supported by advertising. Sign up with your email address—no credit card required, no commitment. Live streaming of all 54 M6 matches and 7-day on-demand replays are available at no cost. An ad-free premium version is available as a paid option.

Are all of Les Bleus' games on M6?

Yes. The three group stage matches will be broadcast on M6: France vs. Senegal on June 16, France vs. Iraq on June 22, and Norway vs. France on June 26. If France advances to the round of 16, M6 will continue to broadcast the knockout rounds featuring Les Bleus through the final.

Can you watch M6 and M6+ on a Smart TV?

Yes. M6 is available via digital terrestrial television (DTT) on all Smart TVs sold since 2008. M6+ has a dedicated app that comes pre-installed or can be downloaded on Samsung (2018 and later), LG (2019 and later), and Sony (2020 and later) models, as well as on Chromecast, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. It is widely compatible with recent devices.

What is the time difference for the games on M6?

With a 6- to 9-hour time difference between France and the World Cup host cities, M6’s matches are primarily scheduled for the afternoon and evening in France. Games played on the U.S. East Coast from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. local time air around 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Paris time. Kickoffs on the West Coast mean late-night broadcasts, running until 1:00–2:00 a.m. for night owls.

Does M6+ support multi-screen viewing during the World Cup?

The M6+ app allows only one simultaneous connection per account. To watch multiple games at the same time, the simplest solution is to use over-the-air TV (which allows an unlimited number of screens within the household) on your main TV and the M6+ app on your smartphone or tablet for a second game. The premium version does not change this limit.

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