When Are the World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals?
The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kick off on Thursday, with four blockbuster fixtures determining who advances to the last four. The matches will be played across two days, featuring heavyweight clashes that include France, England, Spain and Argentina.
Full schedule (kick-off times TBC):
- Quarter-final 1 – Thursday, 9 July
- Quarter-final 2 – Thursday, 9 July
- Quarter-final 3 – Friday, 10 July
- Quarter-final 4 – Friday, 10 July
For the latest match details and live scores, visit our dedicated World Cup scores page.
How to Watch the Quarter-Finals for Free
Football fans around the globe are eager to catch every moment of the action without paying a premium. Historically, the World Cup has enjoyed extensive free-to-air coverage in many territories, and 2026 appears to be no different – but official broadcast details remain patchy.
In the United Kingdom, the BBC and ITV have traditionally shared rights for the tournament, and early indications suggest they will again offer free live coverage. However, UK rights for the 2026 edition have not yet been formally confirmed. We will update this section as soon as an official announcement is made.
Across Europe, public broadcasters such as ARD/ZDF in Germany, TF1 in France, and RTVE in Spain are often the go-to channels for free World Cup coverage, but their schedules for the quarter-finals are still to be released. Similarly, in Latin America, networks like TV Globo (Brazil) and Caracol (Colombia) could provide free-to-air options, though verification is pending.
For viewers in the United States, FIFA has awarded English-language rights to Fox Sports, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. Both channels are available over the air in many areas, potentially making them accessible for free with an antenna – but check your local listings. Streaming-wise, Fox Sports app and Telemundo Deportes may require authentication with a TV provider.
At this stage, no territory has been confirmed to offer an official free live stream without any subscription or authentication requirement. The FourFourTwo report suggests free methods exist, but specifics are not yet public. We strongly advise against illegal streams or VPN workarounds, which could compromise your security and violate broadcast agreements.
What We Know About Official Broadcasters
FIFA has sold media rights to a range of broadcasters worldwide, but only some have outlined their quarter-final schedules. Below is a summary of reported rights-holders, though coverage is subject to change:
- United Kingdom: BBC/ITV (unconfirmed)
- United States: Fox Sports, Telemundo
- Germany: ARD/ZDF (likely)
- France: TF1 (likely)
- Spain: RTVE (likely)
- Argentina: TV Pública, TyC Sports (unconfirmed)
For territories not listed, information is not yet available. We recommend checking with your local FIFA-appointed broadcaster closer to kick-off.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 World Cup quarter-finals begin on Thursday, 9 July, with four matches over two days.
- Free-to-air coverage is expected in many countries, but UK rights (BBC/ITV) and others remain unconfirmed.
- In the US, Fox and Telemundo offer broad availability, though free streaming may require authentication.
- No official free live stream has been confirmed for any territory – avoid illegal streams.
- For live updates and fixtures, keep an eye on our World Cup 2026 hub.
Quick Facts
Quarter-final dates: 9–10 July 2026
Teams involved: France, England, Spain, Argentina (and four others TBC)
Venues: Multiple locations across Canada, Mexico and the US
Free-to-air channels (unconfirmed): BBC/ITV (UK), TF1 (France), RTVE (Spain)
US broadcasters: Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
