The 2026 World Cup opens June 11 and runs 24 matches in its first seven days. The USMNT plays Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET in Los Angeles — live on FOX and free to stream in 4K on Tubi. Of the 24 opening week matches, 16 are on FOX (watchable over the air with a TV antenna) and 8 are on FS1 (requires cable, FOX One, or a live TV streaming service).
All three USMNT group stage matches are on FOX. FOX and FIFA's current Group D pages list Türkiye as the fourth team in the group; older references may still say "Winner of UEFA Playoff C." The full USA schedule:
| Match | Date | Time (ET) | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA vs Paraguay | Fri, Jun 12 | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles | FOX + Tubi (free) |
| USA vs Australia | Fri, Jun 19 | 3:00 p.m. | Seattle | FOX |
| USA vs Türkiye | Wed, Jun 25 | 10:00 p.m. | Los Angeles | FOX |
Verify all times at FOX Sports before match day — schedules and network assignments can shift.
USA vs Paraguay: June 12, 9:00 p.m. ET
This is the biggest setup priority for US fans. USA's opening World Cup match comes just one day after the tournament opener, in front of a sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Where to watch:
- FOX — over-the-air with a TV antenna (free) or via cable/satellite
- Tubi — free 4K simulcast, no subscription required (sign-in with a free account)
- FOX One — FOX's standalone streaming service ($19.99/month, 7-day free trial)
- FOX Sports app — requires a TV provider sign-in
- Telemundo — Spanish over-the-air (free antenna)
- Peacock — Spanish streaming (all tiers for the USA opener; Premium required for other matches)
Set your device up and test the login before 8:30 p.m. ET. USA opener server load will be heavy. If the stream fails, Tubi on a second device is your fastest backup.
If you are watching from a hotel, airport, or shared Wi-Fi network, use a VPN for account security rather than rights bypassing. U7BUY NordVPN accounts can help encrypt your streaming login on public networks; for catch-up viewing after the match, U7BUY YouTube Premium accounts make official highlights easier to watch without ad breaks or background-play interruptions.
USA Group D: Full Schedule Context
USA, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye make up Group D. Knowing when your group rivals play each other helps you follow the standings.
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jun 12 | USA vs Paraguay | 9:00 p.m. | Los Angeles | FOX |
| Sat/Sun, Jun 13/14 | Australia vs Türkiye | 12:00 a.m. ET (Sun) | Vancouver | FOX |
| Fri, Jun 19 | USA vs Australia | 3:00 p.m. | Seattle | FOX |
| Fri/Sat, Jun 19/20 | Türkiye vs Paraguay | 12:00 a.m. ET (Sat) | San Francisco Bay | FS1 |
| Wed, Jun 25 | USA vs Türkiye | 10:00 p.m. | Los Angeles | FOX |
| Wed, Jun 25 | Paraguay vs Australia | 10:00 p.m. | San Francisco Bay | FS1 |
Note on midnight games: Australia vs Türkiye is listed as part of the June 13 matchday but kicks off at 12:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 14, which is 9:00 p.m. PT on Saturday, June 13 in Vancouver. Türkiye vs Paraguay follows the same pattern the next week: 12:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 20, or 9:00 p.m. PT on Friday, June 19 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Note on Türkiye: Some older schedule announcements identified this slot as the Winner of UEFA Playoff C. FOX Sports and FIFA's current public schedule now list Türkiye, so this guide follows that newer naming.
Opening Week Full Schedule: June 11–17
All 24 opening week matches listed by US Eastern Time. Verify the final schedule at FOX Sports or the FIFA match schedule.
Thursday, June 11
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Mexico vs South Africa (Opening match) | Mexico City | FOX + Tubi |
| 10:00 p.m. | South Korea vs Czechia | Guadalajara | FS1 |
Friday, June 12
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Toronto | FOX |
| 9:00 p.m. | 🇺🇸 USA vs Paraguay | Los Angeles | FOX + Tubi |
Saturday, June 13
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | Qatar vs Switzerland | San Francisco Bay | FOX |
| 6:00 p.m. | Brazil vs Morocco | New York/New Jersey | FOX |
| 9:00 p.m. | Haiti vs Scotland | Boston | FOX |
| 12:00 a.m. (Sun) | Australia vs Türkiye (Group D) | Vancouver | FOX |
Sunday, June 14
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Germany vs Curaçao | Houston | FOX |
| 4:00 p.m. | Netherlands vs Japan | Dallas | FOX |
| 7:00 p.m. | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | Philadelphia | FS1 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Tunisia vs Sweden | Monterrey | FS1 |
Monday, June 15
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:00 p.m. | Spain vs Cape Verde | Atlanta | FOX |
| 3:00 p.m. | Belgium vs Egypt | Seattle | FOX |
| 6:00 p.m. | Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay | Miami | FS1 |
| 9:00 p.m. | Iran vs New Zealand | Los Angeles | FS1 |
Tuesday, June 16
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | France vs Senegal | New York/New Jersey | FOX |
| 6:00 p.m. | Iraq vs Norway | Boston | FOX |
| 9:00 p.m. | Argentina vs Algeria | Kansas City | FOX |
| 12:00 a.m. (Wed) | Austria vs Jordan | San Francisco Bay | FS1 |
Wednesday, June 17
| Time (ET) | Match | Venue | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 p.m. | Portugal vs Congo DR | Houston | FOX |
| 4:00 p.m. | England vs Croatia | Dallas | FOX |
| 7:00 p.m. | Ghana vs Panama | Toronto | FS1 |
| 10:00 p.m. | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Mexico City | FS1 |
FOX vs FS1: What It Means for Your Setup
The broadcast split matters because FOX is free over the air and FS1 is not.
| Network | Opening week matches | Free with antenna? | Free on Tubi? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOX | 16 | Yes (at home) | Only Mexico vs SA and USA vs Paraguay |
| FS1 | 8 | No | No |
If you only watch USA matches: All three USMNT group stage games are on FOX. A free TV antenna is enough for every USA game in the opening week and beyond.
If you want every match: You need FOX One ($19.99/month, covers all 104 matches on FOX and FS1) or a live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV (starting around $49/month and up). Check the full cord-cutter guide for a cost comparison, and confirm current pricing before subscribing.
Spanish coverage: Telemundo carries 92 of 104 matches free over the air. Peacock Premium ($10.99/month) covers all 104 matches in Spanish via streaming.
How to Set Match Reminders
A schedule with games starting at 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and midnight ET means you will miss something without alerts. Set reminders now — not on match day.
Calendar app:
- Add each match you want to watch as a recurring event (for multi-week tournaments, repeat events save time).
- Set an alarm 30 minutes before kickoff — time to open the app, confirm the login, and test the stream.
- For late matches (9 p.m., 10 p.m., or midnight), set a reminder the day before too.
App notifications:
- The FOX Sports app and FOX One both support match reminders. Enable push notifications in the app settings.
- Tubi does not send sports reminders — rely on calendar for the two Tubi simulcasts.
- Peacock supports watchlist alerts for scheduled live events.
Specific alerts to set before June 11:
- June 11 2:30 p.m. ET — Mexico vs South Africa setup check (Tubi or FOX)
- June 12 8:30 p.m. ET — USA vs Paraguay setup check (Tubi or FOX)
- June 19 2:30 p.m. ET — USA vs Australia setup check (FOX)
Watching on the Road: Hotel and Public Wi-Fi
The host cities for the opening week — Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York/New Jersey, Toronto, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco Bay, Guadalajara, Vancouver — span multiple US time zones and international venues. If you're traveling to attend a match or watching from a hotel, you'll likely be on shared Wi-Fi.
A VPN encrypts your streaming login credentials on public or hotel networks. NordVPN accounts are one option for securing your connection while streaming on hotel or airport Wi-Fi during the tournament. Use it for account security — not to access broadcast rights outside your home region.
Related Resources
- YouTube Premium accounts — The opening week runs 24 matches across seven days. If you're following multiple groups, the FIFA and creator highlight compilations stack up fast on YouTube. YouTube Premium removes ads on those recaps and lets you play them in the background while you check scores or scout the next match. Does not include live match streaming.
- NordVPN accounts — Useful for securing streaming credentials on hotel, airport, or stadium-area Wi-Fi in any of the host cities. Use for privacy and account security.
FAQ
When is the USA's first World Cup 2026 match?
USA plays Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It is on FOX and simulcasts free in 4K on Tubi.
What are all three USA group stage match times?
USA vs Paraguay — June 12, 9:00 p.m. ET, Los Angeles, FOX. USA vs Australia — June 19, 3:00 p.m. ET, Seattle, FOX. USA vs Türkiye — June 25, 10:00 p.m. ET, Los Angeles, FOX.
What channel are World Cup 2026 matches on?
FOX and FS1. FOX carries the free-to-air network matches, including all USMNT games, while FS1 carries cable matches. FOX's published split has changed across announcements, so confirm the current FOX/FS1 count on FOX Sports before the tournament. Both networks are available through FOX One ($19.99/month) without a cable subscription.
How many matches are in the first week?
24 matches run from June 11 through June 17 — 16 on FOX and 8 on FS1. Every major group is represented in the opening week.
Can I watch everything free in week one?
With a TV antenna, you can watch the 16 FOX matches free over the air, including USA vs Paraguay. Tubi simulcasts two specific matches free: Mexico vs South Africa (June 11) and USA vs Paraguay (June 12). The 8 FS1 matches require cable, FOX One, or a live TV service.
How do I watch the FS1 matches without cable?
FOX One ($19.99/month) is the most direct option — it covers all FOX and FS1 matches. A live TV streaming service (Fubo from ~$49/month, YouTube TV ~$68/month) is the other path. Both require a subscription and payment method.
Which USA match is free on Tubi?
Tubi simulcasts USA vs Paraguay on June 12 free in 4K. No subscription or credit card required — just a free Tubi account sign-in. The other two USMNT group stage matches (June 19, June 25) air on FOX over the air but are not confirmed for Tubi simulcast.
Sources
- FOX Sports World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule announcement
- FOX Sports 2026 World Cup schedule and matchups
- FIFA World Cup 2026 match schedule and stadiums
- Tubi FIFA World Cup 2026 FOX Hub launch
- NBCUniversal Peacock and Telemundo World Cup 2026 coverage
- Telemundo World Cup 2026 broadcast coverage announcement
- FIFA and YouTube World Cup 2026 preferred platform partnership
- U7BUY YouTube Premium accounts
- U7BUY NordVPN accounts
