World Cup 2026 coverage split between M6 and beIN

French viewers will be able to follow the 2026 World Cup through a mix of free-to-air and subscription broadcasters, with M6 airing selected matches and beIN Sports holding rights to the full tournament.

The competition, which will take place from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico, is set to attract widespread attention, particularly in France where interest is expected to be high due to the presence of several African nations and their large diasporas.

A total of ten African teams are due to feature in the tournament: Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Senegal, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Their participation is likely to further increase viewership in France, where communities linked to these countries follow international football closely.

For audiences in France, access to matches will depend on the broadcaster.

While it will be possible to watch part of the tournament without a subscription, full coverage will remain behind a paywall.

The M6 group has secured rights to broadcast a selection of fixtures on free-to-air television.

In total, 54 matches will be shown on the M6 channel, with additional streaming available via the M6+ platform.

This package includes all matches involving the French national team, as well as both semi-finals and the final.

The inclusion of France’s fixtures ensures that key moments of the tournament will be widely accessible.

The semi-finals and final being broadcast free-to-air also guarantees that the closing stages will reach a broad audience.

However, not all matches will be available through this route.

Viewers seeking comprehensive coverage will need to turn to beIN Sports, which holds exclusive rights to broadcast every match of the competition in France.

Access to the channel requires a paid subscription.

The acquisition of these rights came at a late stage, with beIN Sports securing the deal ahead of Ligue 1+, which had reportedly reached an agreement with FIFA and signed a contract for pay-TV rights before being overtaken.

The split in broadcasting means that audiences will have to navigate between platforms depending on which matches they wish to follow.

While M6 provides access to major fixtures, beIN Sports remains the only option for those wanting uninterrupted coverage from the opening match to the final.

Scheduling is also expected to play a role in viewing habits.

With the tournament taking place across North America, several matches are likely to be played at times that fall during the night in France.

This time difference may influence how viewers choose to watch, particularly for those relying on live broadcasts.

Among the matches set to be shown by the M6 group are several involving African teams, including Brazil against Morocco, Scotland against Morocco, Spain against Cape Verde, Belgium against Egypt, France against Senegal, Senegal against Iraq, Germany against Ivory Coast, England against Ghana and Tunisia against the Netherlands.

These fixtures reflect both the diversity of teams involved and the broad appeal of the tournament.

They also highlight the extent to which African nations will feature in the viewing schedule available on free-to-air television.

The presence of these matches on M6 may be particularly significant for audiences interested in following African teams without requiring a subscription.

At the same time, fans wishing to track every game involving their chosen nation will need access to beIN Sports.

As the start of the tournament approaches, the question of accessibility remains central for viewers in France.

The combination of free and paid broadcasting options offers flexibility, but also creates a division between partial and complete coverage.

For many, the availability of key matches on free-to-air television will ensure engagement with the tournament’s main events.

For others, particularly dedicated supporters, subscription access will be necessary to follow the competition in full.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to draw global attention, and its broadcast arrangements in France reflect both the commercial value of the event and the demand for widespread access.

With multiple platforms involved, viewers will need to choose how they engage with the tournament based on their preferences and access.