
The FIFA World Cup 2026 marks the historic 23rd edition of the tournament, running from June 11 to July 19. Jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, this expanded 48-team tournament shifts back to the traditional summer window.
Defending champions Argentina will look to retain their crown across 104 matches, kicking off at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and concluding with the final at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
You can watch FIFA World Cup on Smart TV in Ireland on services like RTE Player and SBS for free, while on FuboTV, Hulu, or Peacock TV with a paid subscription.
But since most of these services are geo-blocked in Ireland, you’ll need a VPN to unblock these services in your region.
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When & Where is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Happening?
How to Watch FIFA World Cup on Smart TV in Ireland for free
As the official home of the tournament for Irish fans, the RTÉ Player will provide complete, free-to-air coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. You can stream all 104 live matches across the expanded tournament layout, with 48 nations.
Here’s how to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Smart TV in Ireland:
Step 1: Open the app store on your smart TV and search for RTE Player.
Step 2: Install the RTE Player app and log in to your account.
Step 3: Choose the game you want to watch.
Step 4: Enjoy streaming!
Other Ways to Watch FIFA World Cup on Smart TV in Ireland
If you want to watch the FIFA World Cup in Ireland for free and without cable, there are several excellent options, such as BBC iPlayer and SBS On Demand, etc. However, most of these will require a VPN to bypass the geo-restrictions.
1. SBS On Demand (Free)

SBS On Demand has the exclusive official free-to-air broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Australia.
The network will air complete coverage of the massive 104-match schedule, broadcasting every single game live from the June 12 opener (AEST) to the final curtain-closer.
Since it is an Australian service,e, you will need a VPN to unblock it in Ireland. We suggest using Surfshark.
Read More: Watch SBS in Ireland
2. Peacock (Paid)

PeacockTV, Peacock TV is the single most affordable premium streaming service to watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in the US.
As the official streaming home for NBC’s Telemundo, Peacock provides complete live coverage of every single game. Subscription costs only $7.99/month.
While Peacock is exclusively available in the United States, fans living in Ireland can easily unblock the app and stream the entire tournament by connecting their premium VPN ( Surfshark) to a US server location.
Read More: Watch Peacock TV in Ireland
3. FuboTV (Paid)

FuboTV is a premier, sports-first streaming service that will broadcast every single one of the 104 FIFA matches live in the US.
By carrying FOX and FS1, the platform provides complete access to the entire English-language broadcast lineup without requiring a traditional, long-term cable contract.
Sports plan costs $55.99/month. However, always use a secure and reliable VPN to bypass restrictions and enjoy the FIFA World Cup 2026. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
Read More: Watch Fubo TV in Ireland
4. Hulu Live TV (Paid)

Hulu Live TV is an American subscription-based streaming service that will air the FIFA World Cup live without cable.
For $89.99/month, it directly packages local FOX networks and FS1, giving football fans complete access to all 104 live matches.
Since Hulu is an American streaming service, it is restricted to the US only and will require a VPN to bypass the restrictions. Surfshark is the best VPN.
Read More: Watch Hulu Live TV in Ireland
The 12 Official FIFA 2026 Groups
The expansion has paved the way for historic World Cup debuts from Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, countries like DR Congo and Haiti are making emotional returns for the first time since 1974.
- Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia
- Group B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
- Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye
- Group E: Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Curaçao
- Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
- Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand
- Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
- Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
- Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Congo DR
- Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Other Devices to Watch the FIFA World Cup in Ireland
| Category | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Mobiles & Tablets | iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones & tablets |
| Computers | Mac, Windows laptops, Chromebooks |
| Streaming Sticks | Amazon FireStick, Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast |
| Gaming Consoles | Xbox, PlayStation |
| Smart TVs | Android TV, Samsung, LG, Hisense |
FAQs – FIFA World Cup 2026
1. When Does the FIFA World Cup 2026 Start and End?
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the opening match featuring co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa. The final will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
2. Where Is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Being Held?
For the first time in history, the tournament is being jointly hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Matches will be played across 16 distinct host cities, split into Western, Central, and Eastern regions, to help minimise travel.
3. How Many Teams Are Participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The field has expanded significantly for this tournament. For the first time, 48 teams are competing, up from the traditional 32-team format used in previous iterations.
Conclusion
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is taking place across North America, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Shifting back to its traditional summer window, the tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
We have mentioned some of the premium and free methods through which you can watch FIFA World Cup 2026 on Smart TV in Ireland, such as RTE Player, SBS, Fubo, etc.
We recommend using Surfshark as it bypasses geo-restrictions and gives you access to the platform. It also hides and blocks your IP address from your local ISP.





































































































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