Who broadcasts the 2026 World Cup in France?
The 2026 World Cup takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with a format expanded to 48 teams. In France, coverage of major national-team tournaments traditionally relies on a mix of free and pay channels. The free-to-air channels — TF1, M6 and France Télévisions — broadcast many matches, especially France games and high-audience fixtures.
Alongside them, a pay broadcaster such as beIN SPORTS may hold broader coverage, allowing you to follow every match, including less-exposed group-stage games. The exact split between free and pay channels is set by rights deals and announced before the tournament: that official schedule is the one to check.
How many matches will be free?
Historically, a large share of the World Cup is shown free in France. France matches, marquee fixtures, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final are usually free-to-air. That lets you follow most of the tournament without a subscription. To watch every match of every team, a paid subscription often remains necessary as a complement.
| Match type | Likely broadcast | Approx. price |
|---|---|---|
| France national-team matches | TF1, M6 (free-to-air) | €0 |
| Marquee games and knockouts | Free-to-air channels | €0 |
| Every match | beIN SPORTS (if applicable) | ≈ €15/mo |
On which devices to follow the tournament?
Free channels are received on DTT and via their apps: TF1+, 6play and france.tv, also gathered in Molotov TV. A beIN SPORTS subscription plays through beIN Connect, on mobile, computer, smart TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Fire TV. So you can follow the World Cup everywhere, on TV as on a mobile screen.
Our tips to follow the World Cup
- Before the tournament, find the official schedule of free-to-air matches.
- Install the free apps in advance (TF1+, 6play, france.tv, Molotov).
- Only add a paid subscription if you want every match.
- Beware of 'free' sites that illegally rebroadcast the games.
In short
The 2026 World Cup will, like previous editions, be largely accessible free in France on TF1, M6 and France Télévisions, notably for France matches and marquee fixtures. A beIN SPORTS subscription is only needed for complete coverage. Check the official schedule as soon as it is published.