The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest edition of the tournament to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. As global interest reaches record levels, Japanese fans will be able to follow the action through Fuji Television, one of the country’s leading broadcasters.
Fuji Television will provide extensive World Cup coverage, including key knockout-stage matches and other major tournament fixtures. The broadcaster also benefits from a strong digital presence, with its streaming ecosystem reaching more than 20 million downloads, making it a popular platform for fans watching online.
If you are traveling outside Japan, access to Fuji TV’s streaming services may be restricted due to regional broadcasting rights. PureVPN allows you to connect to a Japanese server, giving you a Japanese IP address so you can securely access Fuji TV and watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV live for free from anywhere.
Why Do You Need VPN to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV
You need a VPN to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV because the broadcaster only has streaming rights for viewers located inside Japan. Due to FIFA’s regional licensing agreements, Fuji TV restricts access to its online coverage outside the country.
When you try to access the Fuji TV stream from abroad, the platform checks your IP address to determine your location. If your connection is detected outside Japan, the live stream will be blocked automatically because of geo-restrictions.
With PureVPN, you can connect to a secure Japanese server and get a Japanese IP address within seconds. This allows you to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV from anywhere without interruption.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV
You can stream FIFA World Cup 2026 for free and live via Fuji TV using their application (FOD) or collaborative Japanese network app, TVer. Due to regional limitations imposed by the platform, free-to-air streaming would be available with the use of PureVPN. Here’s how:
- Configure Your VPN Network
Download PureVPN on your device. Launch the app and connect to a server in Japan. Keep your connection live throughout the setup process.
- Download and Install FOD
If you find FOD is not available in your area of the Google Play store on Android, you may be able to get a verified copy(Uptodown) of the APK for FOD by looking for these types of repositories or by switching the region of your Google Play Store account to Japan.
If you cannot find FOD in your local App Store, try creating a temporary account with a different Apple ID (free of charge) that uses Japan as the country, then logging in with that account. Select the official application directed by Fuji Television Network, Inc. and install it.
- Initialize the App and Sign Up
You must use the new FOD app with PureVPN still connected to the server in Japan. When you are asked to register for an account or subscribe to the service, look for an option to skip or continue as a guest user.
Fuji TV allows you to watch all standard live TV networks, including complete advertising from terrestrial broadcasts, and does not require you to register prior to viewing.
- Easy Access to FIFA Live Feed
Select either the Live tab or Broadcast tab option from within the app’s menu. You’ll find the FIFA World Cup 2026 dedicated content area or current terrestrial streaming icon, which will provide a live-streaming feed of the championship games in high definition.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Fuji TV on Other Devices?
Since the official FOD app utilizes precision region recognition, doing it on a device that does not have native support for VPN requires the use of either an enabled router set up via PureVPN or a smart DNS proxy setup linked with Japan.
Android Devices (Phones & Tablets)
To stream games without restrictions, download the free Fuji TV app using Chrome or the Google Play Store. Install PureVPN; log into PureVPN, connect to a Japanese server, then launch FOD to stream the free-to-air matches without interruptions.
iOS Devices (iPhones & iPad)
Download the PureVPN application from the App Store onto your device and log in to connect to a server based in Japan. After this, launch the FOD App downloaded through a virtual switch of the Japanese App Store or go to the FOD website using Safari, select the terrestrial live TV broadcasts option to watch World Cup games live and free.
Roku
Roku does not support VPN applications by default. To watch FOD on your Roku stick, you’ll need to configure the PureVPN connection on your home router instead. After you configure your router to use a Japanese IP address, any Roku device connected to the same network will no longer be subjected to regional constraints and can stream FOD without issue.
Xbox One
Accessing the official digital hub of Fuji TV on a console is done through the default Microsoft Edge browser on the main dashboard. Since you cannot use PureVPN natively on an Xbox, you will need to route your console traffic through a Japan server by either adding a VPN to your home Wi-Fi router or connecting your laptop with a VPN to your console using an Ethernet cable.
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 Fuji TV for Free
The ability to watch major tournaments and their fixtures in real time does not stop at FOD (Fuji Television On Demand). As part of this package, Fuji Television also has the UHF and digital broadcast rights through their FOD (Fuji Television Online Video-On-Demand) services for specific high-profile tournaments.
Free Blockbuster Matches
Fuji TV will air its broadcast matches live and free, so no subscription is necessary. The live matches that will air are primarily focused on Group Stage matches and will also include “win or go home” matches from the newly expanded Round of 32 and Round of 16 knockout stages.
Watch Japan’s Pivotal World Cup Fixtures
The Fuji TV Free Sports Channel will focus on providing high-definition broadcast quality of premier matches. The live feeds of the matches can be viewed from the native FOD app or on a desktop FOD website to view the most significant moments of the tournament for free.
Track Matches Digitally
Fuji TV will offer extensive coverage through its digital platform and will have tournament hubs within the FOD app. Fans can follow along with the games as they are streamed live and view live team stats, rolling starting 11 lineups, and tactical metrics during the match as part of the fully interactive streaming experience.
Short-Form Content of the Tournament
Along with the live match streams, Fuji TV’s digital ecosystem will have an exclusive tournament vertical, which allows fans to access trending, short-form video highlights of the matches and analysis from experts after each match. Moreover, exclusive clips of interviews with players will be streamed to keep Japanese fans connected to all of the action 24/7.
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, Fuji TV is expected to broadcast selected FIFA World Cup 2026 matches free to air in Japan.
Yes, viewers in Japan can stream selected matches through Fuji TV’s official online platforms and partner streaming services.
You can use PureVPN to connect to a Japanese server and securely access Fuji TV while traveling outside Japan.
Fuji TV streaming services are compatible with smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and web browsers.
Yes, Fuji TV content can be streamed through compatible mobile apps and browser-based services.
Yes, Fuji TV is expected to provide match highlights, post-match analysis, and football coverage throughout the tournament.
