From Christian Pulisic’s U.S. opener to Lamine Yamal facing Spain, the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Mexico and Canada puts a rare lineup of global legends and teenage talent on center stage as 48 teams chase the sport’s biggest prize.
June 11 is circled on calendars across the United States, Mexico and Canada—but the real rush starts the very next day, when the U.S. steps onto the pitch against Paraguay. For Christian Pulisic, it’s not just another match. It’s a World Cup moment, the kind that can freeze a career into history.
This summer’s World Cup is set to feature a standout mix of established superstars and bright young players. with ages spanning from teenagers to players over 40. For many of the names in the spotlight—whether they’re chasing a second title or trying to win their first—the stakes are simple. Winning the World Cup is the pinnacle of a player’s career, the stage where legacies are cemented.
Those legacies come with familiar faces. Kylian Mbappé of France. Lionel Messi of Argentina. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. America’s Pulisic. and England’s Harry Kane are among the players the world will be watching most closely at the 2026 tournament. Together, they’ve appeared in 742 international games, scoring 432 international goals.
The tournament will run with a scale that matches the ambition. The World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada and will feature 48 teams for the first time, creating a record 104 matches.
The schedule begins with Pulisic’s chance to set the tone. The USA’s match versus Paraguay is listed for June 12 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
From there, the tournament’s star trail keeps unfolding:
On Monday, June 15 at 12 p.m., Spain will play Cabo Verde, with Lamine Yamal’s matchup part of the draw.
Tuesday, June 16 starts with France vs. Senegal at 3 p.m., as Kylian Mbappé’s presence anchors the night.
Later Tuesday, June 16 at 9 p.m., Argentina takes on Algeria, with Lionel Messi in the spotlight.
Wednesday, June 17 at 1 p.m., Portugal will play DR Congo, where Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to headline.
Wednesday, June 17 at 4 p.m., England faces Croatia, putting Harry Kane at the center of the matchup.
Everything moves fast after that, and the viewing options expand even further. Of the World Cup’s record 104 matches, 70 will air on Fox, while 34 will air on FS1. Every match will also be streamed live on Fox One and the Fox Sports App.
For Spanish broadcasts, the World Cup will air on Telemundo or Universo, with live streaming on Peacock. It’s a wide footprint designed for one thing: letting the biggest names—plus the next wave—stay on full display from the opening run of games.
Across the six highlighted players, the numbers tell a clear story before the first whistle even blows. Their combined 742 international appearances and 432 international goals point to a group built for pressure—players who have done this against the best. but now have the hardest stage of all waiting in North America.
As the tournament approaches, the spotlight won’t be shared equally. Some stars arrive with titles already in their hands; others arrive with a different kind of hunger—trying to lift the prize for the first time. Either way. the dates are set. the venues are set. and on June 11 and June 12. the world’s biggest stage starts calling.
2026 World Cup Kylian Mbappé Lionel Messi Lamine Yamal Cristiano Ronaldo Christian Pulisic Harry Kane USA vs Paraguay Fox FS1 Fox Sports App Telemundo Universo Peacock 48 teams 104 matches