The FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to be one of the most valuable and widely viewed sporting events in the world. Broadcasters are investing heavily in sports rights, with global spending reaching record levels as streaming platforms continue to attract millions of viewers.
Reflecting on this trend, Luke Stillman, Managing Director at Madison & Wall, noted: “Sports rights costs are growing two or three times faster than the ad revenue associated with them.”
In Canada, CTV will be one of the official destinations for FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage. Fans will be able to watch all 104 matches live in HD through CTV’s television channels and digital platforms, including the CTV app and website, with access across smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
If you are traveling outside Canada, access to CTV may be restricted due to regional broadcasting rights. PureVPN allows you to connect to a Canadian server, giving you a Canadian IP address so you can securely access CTV and watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV live from anywhere.
Why Do You Need VPN to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV
You need a VPN to access CTV if you are outside Canada. Bell Media holds the exclusive rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, so its online streaming service is only available within the country. If you try to sign in from another location, access to the stream will be blocked.
With PureVPN, you can connect to a Canadian server and get a Canadian IP address. This makes CTV recognize your connection as coming from inside Canada, allowing you to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV live without interruptions from anywhere in the world.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV
Follow these simple steps to set up the app and start watching the live matches:
1. Connect Your VPN (If Outside Canada)
If you are traveling outside Canada, open your premium VPN app first. Select and connect to a Canadian server. This ensures you do not get limited by regional barriers.
2. Download the CTV App
Open the Apple App Store (for iPhone/iPad) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices). Search for “CTV” and download the official app to your device.
3. Open the App and Sign In
Launch the app on your device. Tap on the account or menu icon and select the sign-in option.
4. Select Your TV Provider
When prompted, select your regular Canadian cable TV or satellite provider (such as Bell, Rogers, Shaw, or Novus) from the provided list.
5. Enter Your Login Credentials
Log in using the official username and password associated with your home TV provider account.
6. Navigate to Live Sports
Once logged in, go to the “Live TV” or “Sports” section in the app menu. Select the live FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast channel to start streaming the match instantly.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV on Other Devices
The CTV app works smoothly across a wide range of devices, from phones to TVs.
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Smartphones and Tablets (iOS & Android)
If you want to watch the games on the go, mobile devices run the dedicated CTV app smoothly. If you are outside Canada, install the PureVPN mobile app, connect to a Canadian server, and then launch the CTV app to immediately overcome any limitations.
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Windows & Mac
You can also watch it on computers, which can stream the matches directly via the official CTV website using any web browser. Simply run the PureVPN desktop app on your Mac or PC to switch your location to Canada before loading the webpage.
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick
This compact plug-and-play streaming device allows you to easily add the CTV app to your regular television. To stream from abroad, search for and download the PureVPN app right from the Amazon Appstore, pick a Canadian server, and open CTV.
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Apple TV
Apple TV supports the CTV app natively through its app store. Because Apple TV allows direct VPN installations, you can download the PureVPN app onto the device, connect to Canada, and watch the matches securely.
Android TV & Google TV
This platform allows you to download the CTV app via the Google Play Store. To watch from outside Canada, install the PureVPN Android TV app from the same store to change your IP address.
Xbox Gaming Consoles (Xbox One & Series X/S)
A great option for gamers, your Xbox can act as a streaming hub by downloading the CTV app from the Microsoft Store. Since Xbox consoles do not support direct VPN apps, you will need to connect your system to a Wi-Fi router running PureVPN.
Roku Streaming Players & TVs
Roku makes it simple to add the CTV channel right to your home screen menu. Since Roku devices lack built-in VPN settings and do not support direct privacy app downloads, you must route your connection through a PureVPN-configured router to change your region.
Media Streamers (NVIDIA Shield & Xiaomi Mi Box)
These powerful Android-based streaming boxes deliver highly stable video feeds for the CTV app. You can easily download the PureVPN app straight to the box from the store, select the Canada region, and stream the matches seamlessly.
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
Expansion in FIFA World Cup 2026: 48 Teams, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on CTV for Free
CTV is providing extensive coverage for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with these features:
100% Free Access
The best part about CTV is that it is a free-to-air network. If you live in Canada, you can watch live World Cup matches for free using a basic TV antenna or by streaming via CTV’s official digital platform with your local TV login credentials.
Full Coverage of the Tournament
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest one in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. CTV with TSN will bring you full broadcast coverage of this massive tournament.
Front-Row Seats to Home Matches
Because Canada is a co-host, Team Canada automatically plays in the tournament. CTV provides a prime spotlight on Canada’s group stage matches, including their highly anticipated games in Toronto and Vancouver against top rivals like Switzerland and Qatar.
On-Demand Video and Highlights
Through the CTV News Video hub, you can watch on-demand content if you miss a live broadcast. CTV provides instant access to short match clips, daily highlight reels, and post-game press conferences so you can catch up on your own schedule.
Complete Group and Knockout Stage Coverage
From the opening group stages in June to the dramatic single-elimination knockout rounds in July, CTV provides full pre-game analysis, live match updates, and post-game breakdowns so you never miss a moment of the action.
Expert Pre-Game and Local Reporting
Because Canada is a co-host, CTV’s video platforms feature exclusive, localized coverage. This includes one-on-one video interviews with the Team Canada coach, local countdown specials, and live video reports from major fan festival sites in Toronto and Vancouver.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tournament will be hosted across United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature 48 national teams for the first time in tournament history.
The expanded tournament format will include 104 matches.
The competition will include 12 groups with knockout rounds following the group stage.
Argentina national football team won the previous FIFA World Cup.
Tickets will be available through the official FIFA website
Yes, matches will be available through CTV’s official website and supported streaming apps in Canada.
You can use PureVPN to connect to a Canadian server and securely access CTV from abroad.
CTV is supported on smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and web browsers.
Yes, CTV typically provides highlights, analysis, and replay coverage during major sporting events.
Yes, matches involving the Canada national football team are expected to receive full coverage.
