Last updated: June 2026
⚽ France's World Cup games are live and free on M6
M6 and its sister channel W9 hold the free-to-air rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in France. Together they will broadcast 56 matches live — including every France game across every stage, the tournament opener, both semi-finals, the third-place play-off, and the final on Sunday 19 July. All 56 matches are also available to stream free on M6+, the M6 group's digital service at m6.fr. A free M6+ account is all that is required.
For the complete 104-match tournament, beIN Sports carries every game with a paid subscription from €15/month directly, or via Canal+, Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues bundles.
Quick answers for viewers in France:
- All France games, the opener, semi-finals, and the final are on M6 — free to watch
- Stream live on M6+ (free account at m6.fr — no subscription needed)
- France are in Group I — three group games on 16, 22, and 26 June with CEST kick-offs of 9:00 PM or 11:00 PM
- The final kicks off at 9:00 PM CEST on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
- VPN Super adds privacy on public Wi-Fi at fan zones, airports, hotels, and cafés during the tournament
When and where is the 2026 World Cup happening?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup spans 48 nations and 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the largest tournament in the competition's history. Canada and Mexico each host group-stage matches, while every game from the Round of 16 onward is played in the US. The opener is Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday 11 June (9:00 PM CEST), and the final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday 19 July (9:00 PM CEST).
Stage-by-stage dates (CEST)
| Stage | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | 11 June – 27 June | 72 (across 16 cities) |
| Round of 32 | 28 June – 3 July | 16 |
| Round of 16 | 4 July – 7 July | 8 |
| Quarter-finals | 9 July – 11 July | 4 |
| Semi-finals | 14 July and 15 July | 2 |
| Third-place match | 18 July | 1 |
| Final | Sunday 19 July, 9:00 PM CEST | 1 (MetLife Stadium) |
Where can I watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 in France?
Two routes carry the tournament in France: the M6 group (M6 and W9) for free, and beIN Sports for the complete 104-match package. A free M6+ account covers every France game, all the showpiece fixtures, and 56 matches in total — no subscription required.
| Broadcaster | Cost | Matches | How to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| M6 / W9 | Free | 56 matches — all France games, opener, semi-finals, 3rd place, final | Free account at m6.fr for M6+ streaming; or free over TNT |
| beIN Sports | From €15/month | All 104 matches (incl. 56 on M6) | Direct at beinsports.com, or via Canal+, Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues |
France viewing routes at a glance
- M6 (TV): Free over TNT (digital terrestrial). The primary free-to-air channel — carries France's games and the main showpiece fixtures. No account needed for TV broadcast. A valid TNT-compatible TV, set-top box, or satellite setup covers M6 and W9 without any registration.
- W9 (TV): M6 group sister channel, also free over TNT. Carries a selection of additional group-stage matches and shoulder programming that complements M6's main allocation.
- M6+ (streaming): The M6 group's live and catch-up digital service — formerly known as 6play, relaunched as M6+ in May 2024. A free account registration at m6.fr is all that is needed; no subscription or payment required. Carries all 56 M6/W9 matches live, plus replays and highlights. Available on web, iOS, Android, Samsung Smart TV (2019+), LG TV (2018+), Apple TV, and Chromecast. Ad-supported.
- beIN Sports (TV + streaming): The complete 104-match tournament, including the 48 matches not on free-to-air. Subscribe directly from €15/month at beinsports.com (no Canal+ required), or access through Canal+ bundles, and as a channel add-on from Orange TV, SFR Play, Free Multiscreen, and Bouygues Bbox TV. Streams via the beIN Sports app and beIN Sports Connect online.
How are M6 and W9 splitting the matches?
M6 and W9 together carry 56 of the 104 matches. M6 takes the highest-profile fixtures: every France game across every round they play in, the tournament opener (Mexico vs. South Africa on 11 June), both semi-finals, the third-place play-off, and the final. W9 carries a selection of additional group-stage fixtures to supplement M6's schedule.
For the full tournament — including the 48 matches not on free-to-air — beIN Sports holds the complete package.
The headline split at a glance
| Match window | M6 / W9 | beIN Sports |
|---|---|---|
| Group stage | Selected matches on M6 and W9 — all France group games on M6 | All 72 group matches on beIN Sports 1 or 2 |
| France group games | Live on M6 | Live on beIN Sports 1 |
| Round of 32 – quarter-finals | M6 carries its allocated knockout fixtures; all France knockout games on M6 | All 28 knockout fixtures |
| Semi-finals (14 & 15 July) | Live on M6 | Live on beIN Sports 1 |
| Third-place match (18 July) | Live on M6 | Live on beIN Sports 1 |
| Final (19 July, 9:00 PM CEST) | Live on M6 | Live on beIN Sports 1 |
What are the kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup in France?
With matches spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, kick-off times in France (CEST, UTC+2) run from 5:00 PM for the earliest afternoon games to 2:00 AM for late West Coast US fixtures. France's three group games kick off at 9:00 PM or 11:00 PM CEST — both within reach for prime-time viewing.
| CEST kick-off | Window | Typical fixtures |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM CEST | Afternoon | Early group-stage matches played in Mexico City and Guadalajara |
| 8:00 PM CEST | Early evening | East Coast US fixtures in New York, Boston, Philadelphia |
| 9:00 PM CEST | Prime evening | France vs. Senegal, France vs. Norway, tournament opener, semi-finals, and the final |
| 11:00 PM CEST | Late evening | Most prime US prime-time fixtures, including France vs. Iraq |
| 2:00 AM CEST | Overnight | West Coast US fixtures (Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco) |
The tournament opener — Mexico vs. South Africa at Estadio Azteca on Thursday 11 June — kicks off at 9:00 PM CEST. Both semi-finals and the final share the same 9:00 PM CEST slot.
When does France play in the 2026 World Cup?
France were drawn into Group I alongside Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. All three group games are scheduled for prime or late-evening CEST kick-offs, making them straightforward to watch live in France.
| Date | Fixture | Host city | CEST kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 16 June | France vs. Senegal | New York/New Jersey | 9:00 PM CEST |
| Mon 22 June | France vs. Iraq | Philadelphia | 11:00 PM CEST |
| Fri 26 June | Norway vs. France | Boston | 9:00 PM CEST |
France's knockout fixtures depend on where they finish in Group I. The Round of 32 runs from 28 June to 3 July, the Round of 16 from 4 to 7 July, the quarter-finals from 9 to 11 July, the semi-finals on 14 and 15 July, the third-place match on 18 July, and the final on Sunday 19 July. M6 will carry all of France's knockout games live, whatever round they reach.
What time is the World Cup final in France?
The final is on Sunday 19 July at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a French kick-off of 9:00 PM CEST. M6 carries the match live — stream it free on M6+ with a free account. beIN Sports 1 also broadcasts the final. The match runs to extra time and penalties if level after 90 minutes, which can push the result past midnight CEST.
Coverage on M6 includes pre-match studio analysis and post-match reaction either side of the final. Both streams — M6+ and beIN Sports Connect — carry the same live broadcast feed.
What devices can I stream the World Cup on in France?
Both M6+ and beIN Sports Connect support the major device types. Set-up is the same on each: install the app, sign in, and play.
Supported devices for M6+ and beIN Sports
- Mobile: M6+ and the beIN Sports app both run on iOS and Android — install from the App Store or Google Play, create or sign into your account, and stream live.
- Laptop or PC: Open m6.fr or beinsports.com in any current browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. No desktop app required.
- Smart TVs: M6+ has native apps on Samsung (2019 or later) and LG (2018 or later) Smart TVs, and most Android TV / Google TV models. beIN Sports Connect runs on Samsung and LG Smart TVs and Amazon Fire TV.
- Streaming sticks and boxes: Amazon Fire TV (beIN Sports native; M6+ via Android app), Apple TV (M6+ via AirPlay or direct app; beIN Sports Connect supported), Chromecast (both services supported via Google Cast).
- Pay-TV operators: beIN Sports is a channel on Canal+, Orange TV, SFR Play, Free Multiscreen, and Bouygues Bbox TV. M6 and W9 are on every French pay-TV package as free-to-air channels.
- Free over-the-air: M6 and W9 are available on TNT (digital terrestrial) with any compatible receiver or set-top box — no internet connection required.
Why does VPN Super recommend a VPN while streaming in France?
What VPN Super does — and what it doesn't
VPN Super encrypts the connection between your device and a private server, so your internet provider and any local network see encrypted traffic instead of a list of streaming endpoints. It is a privacy and security tool. VPN Super does not unblock geo-restricted broadcasts and is not a way around broadcaster terms of service or paid subscriptions.
Whether you stream on M6+ or beIN Sports Connect, the relevant question is what your ISP and any local Wi-Fi network can see about your activity. On a residential line — Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues, or any other French ISP — the provider can log which streaming endpoints you connect to and when. On a public Wi-Fi network at a café, an airport, a hotel, or a fan zone, that metadata is visible to anyone else on the network. A streaming VPN replaces that visibility with a single encrypted tunnel.
Privacy scenarios for World Cup viewers in France
Streaming at home on Orange, SFR, Free, or Bouygues
On a residential broadband connection, your ISP can log which streaming services you connect to and for how long. VPN Super replaces that visibility with a single encrypted tunnel, so the ISP sees encrypted traffic only — without changing which broadcaster you already have a right to watch.
Watching on public Wi-Fi at a fan zone, café, or airport
Whether you're following France at a fan zone, in a hotel during the tournament, at an airport between flights, or at a café streaming the late kick-offs — the Wi-Fi around you is often unencrypted. Connecting VPN Super before you join the network means anyone else on the Wi-Fi sees encrypted traffic instead of which apps you're using or which streaming service you're connected to.
Streaming on Orange, SFR, Bouygues, or Free mobile data
French mobile networks can throttle or shape video traffic during peak hours, and like fixed-line ISPs they can see endpoint metadata. VPN Super gives you a consistent encrypted connection whether you are on 4G, 5G, home broadband, or a public hotspot — so France's 9:00 PM CEST kick-offs stay sharp wherever you watch from.
Where won't VPN Super help?
VPN Super protects your connection. It doesn't solve everything.
Read this before you assume a VPN is a workaround
- Geo-restrictions and broadcaster terms of service: VPN Super is not a way around regional licensing. M6+ is licensed for use in France, and its terms restrict access outside France. VPN Super does not recommend using a VPN to access broadcasters or services you are not entitled to in your own country.
- beIN Sports subscription required for full coverage: beIN Sports carries all 104 matches, but it requires a paid subscription from €15/month. A VPN routes your traffic; it does not provide a subscription or bypass a paywall.
- M6+ account required: A free M6+ account registration at m6.fr is needed to stream. Account creation and verification happen at the application layer, so a VPN does not bypass them. Registration is free and takes around two minutes.
- Slow internet: A VPN can't make a slow connection fast. M6+ and beIN Sports both recommend at least 5 Mbps for HD live streaming. If your connection tops out below that, a VPN won't fix it.
VPN Super's recommended setup for the World Cup
Whether you are watching at home or on the go, VPN Super keeps your connection private and your stream running smoothly.
- Premium servers tuned for streaming — reliable HD performance across all 104 matches.
- Encrypts your connection on public Wi-Fi at fan zones, hotels, airports, and cafés throughout the tournament.
- Helps prevent ISP throttling during high-demand live matches on French home broadband and mobile networks.
- See the full set of VPN Super features — no-activity-logs policy, Kill Switch, and Split Tunneling for parallel devices during the tournament.
Country-by-country guides
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup: Global broadcaster matrix — every country's free-to-air rights holder in one place.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in the USA: Fox, Telemundo, Peacock, and the full English / Spanish split.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in the UK: BBC and ITV guide with BST kick-off times.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Germany: ARD, ZDF, and Magenta TV coverage.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Canada: TSN, RDS, and CTV with bilingual commentary.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in India: Zee5, Unite8 Sports, DD Sports, and WAVES coverage.
- How to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Australia: SBS free-to-air guide with AEST kick-off times.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is the 2026 World Cup on in France?
M6 and its sister channel W9 hold the free-to-air rights and will broadcast 56 matches live — including all of France's games across every stage they play in, the tournament opener, both semi-finals, the third-place match, and the final. Stream live on M6+ with a free account. beIN Sports carries the full 104-match tournament with a paid subscription from €15/month.
Is the 2026 World Cup free to watch in France?
Yes — 56 of the 104 matches are free on M6 and W9, including every France game, the tournament opener, the semi-finals, and the final. A free M6+ account is needed to stream; no payment required. The remaining 48 matches are exclusive to beIN Sports, which requires a subscription from €15/month. No single French free-to-air channel carries all 104 matches.
When does France play in the 2026 World Cup?
France are in Group I. Their three group games are: vs. Senegal in New York/New Jersey on Tuesday 16 June at 9:00 PM CEST; vs. Iraq in Philadelphia on Monday 22 June at 11:00 PM CEST; and vs. Norway in Boston on Friday 26 June at 9:00 PM CEST. All three are on M6. Knockout fixtures depend on where France finishes in Group I and will be confirmed as the group stage concludes.
What time is the World Cup final in France?
The final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicks off at 9:00 PM CEST on Sunday 19 July. M6 carries it live for free — stream on M6+ with a free account. beIN Sports 1 also broadcasts the final. If the match goes to extra time and penalties, the result can come after midnight CEST.
What are the kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup in France?
CEST kick-offs run from 5:00 PM (early group games in Mexico) to 2:00 AM (West Coast US fixtures in Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco). The main prime-evening slot is 9:00 PM CEST — France vs. Senegal, France vs. Norway, the tournament opener, both semi-finals, and the final all kick off at this time. France vs. Iraq is the only France group game at the later 11:00 PM CEST slot.
What is M6+ and is it free?
M6+ is the free live and catch-up streaming service from the M6 group — previously known as 6play before being rebranded in May 2024. A free account registration at m6.fr is all that is needed; no subscription or payment is required. The service is ad-supported and carries M6's full 56-match World Cup allocation live, plus replays and highlights. M6+ is available on web, iOS, Android, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast.
Can I watch the World Cup on beIN Sports without Canal+?
Yes. beIN Sports offers a direct standalone subscription from €15/month at beinsports.com — no Canal+ account required. Access via the beIN Sports app and beIN Sports Connect online. beIN Sports is also available as an add-on channel through Canal+, Orange TV, SFR Play, Free Multiscreen, and Bouygues Bbox TV for viewers who prefer a bundle.
Can I use a VPN to watch the World Cup in another country?
No. VPN Super does not recommend using a VPN to access broadcasters outside your home country. Streaming services check more than just IP address — account country, payment country, and device signals are all used to enforce territorial rights — and doing so generally breaches their terms of service. Use the official broadcaster for the country where you live.
Why use VPN Super, then?
VPN Super encrypts your connection on the network you are actually using. For viewers in France, the practical wins are protecting your traffic from ISP-level metadata logging on Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues; securing public Wi-Fi at fan zones, hotels, airports, and cafés during the tournament; and keeping a consistent encrypted tunnel as you move between home broadband and Orange / SFR / Bouygues / Free mobile data.
What internet speed do I need to stream the World Cup in France?
M6+ and beIN Sports both recommend at least 5 Mbps for HD live streaming. For a comfortable HD experience without buffering on shared household Wi-Fi during peak evening kick-offs (9:00 PM and 11:00 PM CEST), 10 Mbps or above is the practical floor.
How many people watch the FIFA World Cup?
Approximately 5 billion people engaged with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar across all platforms, and roughly 1.5 billion watched the final between Argentina and France — the largest audience ever for a single football match. The 2026 tournament is expected to break that record, with industry forecasts pointing to 5.8 billion total engaged viewers.
Who is in France's group at the 2026 World Cup?
France are in Group I with Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. All three group games are on M6 free-to-air: France vs. Senegal on 16 June at 9:00 PM CEST, France vs. Iraq on 22 June at 11:00 PM CEST, and Norway vs. France on 26 June at 9:00 PM CEST.
