World Cup kicks off this week as England, Scotland and France prepare for action
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with France-based fans able to follow the tournament across free-to-air and subscription broadcasters.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway this week across the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first edition of the tournament to feature an expanded 48-team format.
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Fans in France will be able to watch all of France’s group-stage matches, along with England’s three group games, free-to-air on French broadcaster M6.
Two of Scotland’s group fixtures, against Morocco and Brazil, will also be shown free of charge.
Sports channel beIN Sports will broadcast all 104 matches live.
Many supporters are expected to gather in bars and pubs to watch the tournament, although late kick-off times could prove challenging.
France and England’s group matches are scheduled between 9pm and 11pm French time, while Scotland face midnight and even 3am starts.
Unlike the UK, where pubs have been granted extended opening hours for the tournament, no such measures are currently planned in France.
Venues will generally have to adhere to existing closing-time regulations, although some bars already hold licences allowing them to remain open later.
Should France make a deep run in the competition, authorities may consider temporary exemptions later in the tournament.