The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest tournament in the competition’s history, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With an expanded format and more participating nations than ever before, fans can look forward to a month of world-class football action.
For viewers in Belgium, RTBF is expected to be one of the main broadcasters for FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage. Through its television channels and RTBF Auvio streaming platform, football fans can follow live matches, highlights, expert analysis, replays, and the latest tournament updates throughout the competition.
If you’re traveling outside Belgium during the World Cup, access to RTBF’s online streaming services may be restricted due to regional broadcasting rights. By connecting to a Belgian server with PureVPN, you can securely access RTBF and watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTBF from anywhere in the world.
Why Do You Need VPN to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTBF
You need a VPN because RTBF’s streaming services are subject to regional broadcasting and licensing agreements. As a result, some FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, highlights, and sports programming may only be available to viewers located in Belgium.
If you are traveling, studying, or working abroad during the tournament, PureVPN helps you connect to a Belgian server and access RTBF’s streaming services as if you were browsing from Belgium.
Watch Live FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTBF
RTBF is expected to provide live FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, including matches, football programs, and tournament-related content. Belgian viewers can follow the action with coverage tailored to local audiences.
Full Match Highlights and Replays
RTBF is expected to offer match highlights, goal recaps, and replay coverage throughout the tournament. This allows fans to catch up on key moments if they miss live matches.
Expert Football Analysis and Commentary
Viewers can expect pre-match previews, tactical analysis, halftime discussions, and post-match reviews from football experts. Additional coverage may include player interviews and team insights.
Live Scores and Match Updates
RTBF is also expected to provide live scores, match results, schedules, and tournament news across its digital platforms. Fans can stay updated on FIFA World Cup 2026 developments in real time.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTBF on Other Devices
RTBF coverage can be accessed across smartphones, Smart TVs, streaming devices, and web browsers, allowing viewers to follow FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage on both mobile devices and larger screens.
Android
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Android smartphones and tablets using the RTBF Auvio app or a supported browser. Sign in with your RTBF account and stream live matches, highlights, and tournament coverage with a stable internet connection.
iOS
iPhone and iPad users can stream FIFA World Cup 2026 through the RTBF Auvio app or Safari. A reliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection ensures smooth access to live games, highlights, and tournament updates.
Amazon Fire TV
RTBF coverage can be viewed on Amazon Fire TV through supported apps or browser-based streaming. Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network to enjoy live matches and highlights on a larger screen.
Smart TVs
Compatible Smart TVs, including Android TV and Google TV devices, can stream RTBF coverage directly. This provides a convenient way to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and replays in high definition.
Roku
Roku users can access RTBF coverage through screen mirroring, AirPlay, or casting from compatible devices. This allows viewers to watch live matches and highlights on their TV screens.
Gaming Consoles
PlayStation and Xbox users can stream RTBF coverage through supported web browsers. With a stable internet connection, fans can watch live FIFA World Cup 2026 action directly from their gaming consoles.
Can You Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Highlights on RTBF
Yes, RTBF is expected to provide FIFA World Cup 2026 highlights, football analysis, match clips, and tournament-related coverage throughout the competition. Viewers can access match highlights, goal compilations, expert analysis, football discussions, tournament recaps, and key moments from every stage of the World Cup.
These highlights are typically available across smartphones, tablets, laptops, Smart TVs, streaming devices, and supported web browsers, making it easy for fans to stay connected with the tournament. If RTBF coverage is unavailable in your current location due to regional limitations, PureVPN can help you connect to a Belgian server and continue accessing FIFA World Cup 2026 highlights and football coverage from anywhere.
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.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 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.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule
| Date | Day | Match |
|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | Mexico vs South Africa |
| June 12, 2026 | Friday | South Korea vs Czechia |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| June 13, 2026 | Saturday | United States vs Paraguay |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Qatar vs Switzerland |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Brazil vs Morocco |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Haiti vs Scotland |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Australia vs Türkiye |
| June 14, 2026 | Sunday | Germany vs Curaçao |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Netherlands vs Japan |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Sweden vs Tunisia |
| June 15, 2026 | Monday | Spain vs Cape Verde |
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.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
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.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
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.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTBF for Free
You can watch FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage through RTBF’s television channels and supported digital streaming platforms. Follow these steps to prepare your viewing experience before the tournament begins:
1. Access RTBF Streaming Services
Visit RTBF’s official streaming platform and sports coverage pages to access football broadcasts, tournament programming, highlights, and live match coverage.
2. Download Supported Apps
Install RTBF’s supported applications on your preferred devices, including smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and streaming devices.
3. Sign In to Your Account
Log in to your RTBF account on all devices you plan to use during the tournament. This makes it easier to switch between screens while watching matches.
4. Enable Notifications
Turn on notifications to receive updates about match schedules, kickoff reminders, football news, tournament developments, and live score alerts.
5. Start Streaming FIFA World Cup 2026
Once your setup is complete, you can watch live football coverage, tournament discussions, match highlights, and sports analysis throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026.
If you are outside Belgium, connect to a Belgian server through PureVPN before accessing RTBF services.
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, RTBF is expected to provide FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage for French-speaking viewers in Belgium through its TV channels and the RTBF Auvio streaming platform.
RTBF’s World Cup coverage is typically available free-to-air in Belgium, and viewers can also stream matches through RTBF Auvio after creating a free account.
You can stream matches online through RTBF Auvio using a web browser or the RTBF Auvio app on supported devices.
RTBF Auvio may be unavailable outside Belgium due to regional broadcasting restrictions. Access to live sports content is often limited to viewers located within Belgium.
If you’re outside Belgium, you can connect to a Belgian server with PureVPN and then access RTBF Auvio as if you were browsing from Belgium.
Yes, RTBF is expected to provide match highlights, replays, expert analysis, and tournament-related programming alongside live coverage.
