FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch the opening ceremonies and matches live, including free options

For those who believe in Dani Rojas’s mantra, “fútbol is life!” as seen in the hit Apple TV series Ted Lasso, life is about to get so much sweeter. The 23rd FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off today (Thursday, June 11, 2026), culminating in the final on July 19. Fans are in for 104 matches and over a month’s worth of soccer. Here’s everything you need to know before exuberantly shouting “gooooooal.” What is the format of the 2026 World Cup? There are some changes to the World Cup in 2026. For the first time, 48 teams will compete. The first stage divides these into 12 groups of four teams. Withi...