How To Watch the Croatia National Football Team: 2026 World Cup Schedule and Streaming Guide
Where to watch Croatia men’s football games
The Vatreni are back on the world stage, looking to cement their status as the ultimate tournament dark horse that everyone now knows to fear.
To watch the Croatia men’s national soccer team in 2026 is to witness a masterclass in resilience and midfield control. Led by the ageless Luka Modrić in what many expect to be his international swan song, Croatia enters the 2026 World Cup with a chip on its shoulder and a roster filled with battle-tested veterans and rising stars from Europe’s top leagues.
In the U.S., the primary home for Croatia’s quest for gold is FOX Sports for English-language coverage and Telemundo Deportes for Spanish-language coverage. Because the team also competes in the high-stakes UEFA Nations League, you’ll need a strategy that covers both major FIFA tournaments and the regional European competitions that fill the gaps between World Cup cycles.
Don't be caught offsides with the wrong streamer this World Cup
DIRECTV is the streaming service hooligans choose for football. According to CableTV.com's 2026 customer satisfaction survey, more fans (49%) watch soccer on DIRECTV than any other streaming service. That's more than rivals Fubo and YouTube TV. What's more, a staggering 97% of DIRECTV streaming subscribers reported satisfaction with their live sports experience. So, what are you waiting for? Hit the World Cup pitch this summer by streaming it on DIRECTV.
2026 Croatia men’s national team TV schedule
Croatia’s 2026 calendar is headlined by a demanding Group Stage draw that sees them facing England at AT&T Stadium in mid-June. The Panama match takes place at BMO Field in Toronto on June 23, and the Ghana match is at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.
Following recent friendly tests against Brazil and Colombia, the team is fine-tuning its legendary defensive shape. After the World Cup, the focus immediately shifts to the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League, where Croatia will face heavyweights like Spain and the Czech Republic.
World Cup match dates and times are subject to change due to tournament progression and the fluid nature of international windows. We recommend keeping this guide bookmarked as we update specific channel assignments for the knockout rounds.
Intl Soccer Men - Croatia Schedule
| Opponent | Competition | Date | Time (ET) | English channels | Spanish channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
at Colombia | International Friendly | Thursday, March 26 | 7:30 p.m. | — | |
at Brazil | International Friendly | Tuesday, March 31 | 8:00 p.m. | — | |
Belgium | International Friendly | Tuesday, June 2 | 12:00 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
Slovenia | International Friendly | Sunday, June 7 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
at England | FIFA World Cup | Wednesday, June 17 | 4:00 p.m. | ||
at Panama | FIFA World Cup | Tuesday, June 23 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Ghana | FIFA World Cup | Saturday, June 27 | 5:00 p.m. | ||
at Czechia | UEFA Nations League | Saturday, Sept. 26 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
at Spain | UEFA Nations League | Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
UEFA Nations League | Saturday, Oct. 3 | 12:00 p.m. | TBD | TBD | |
UEFA Nations League | Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD | |
at England | UEFA Nations League | Thursday, Nov. 12 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
Czechia | UEFA Nations League | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 2:45 p.m. | TBD | TBD |
What channels show Croatia soccer games?
International soccer rights are famously fragmented, and Croatia is no exception. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the broadcast rights are locked in with FOX and FS1 for English-language viewers.
If you prefer Spanish-language commentary, Telemundo and Universo are your go-to destinations.
Outside of the World Cup, Croatia’s UEFA Nations League and European Qualifier matches are primarily broadcast on FOX Sports (FS1/FS2) and occasionally streamed through Vix Premium for Spanish-language audiences.
Friendlies can be more unpredictable, sometimes landing on ESPN or HBO Max, depending on the specific host federation’s agreements.
Best TV plans for watching Croatia soccer
To catch every minute of Croatia’s technical brilliance, you need a plan that balances local broadcast channels (for the big World Cup matches on FOX) with cable sports networks like FS1 and FS2. Since many of Croatia’s European matches kick off during U.S. morning or afternoon hours, a service with a robust cloud DVR is essential for fans who can’t skip work to watch the midfield maestros in action.
The most efficient way to secure this coverage is through a live TV streaming service. These platforms provide the necessary local affiliates and sports networks without the long-term baggage of a traditional cable contract, making them perfect for the 39-day sprint of a World Cup summer.
Best Overall
Hulu + Live TV is the ultimate base camp for Croatia fans. It includes FOX, FS1, and FS2 for the World Cup and UEFA Nations League, plus it bundles ESPN, which often carries secondary European qualifiers and domestic league matches featuring Croatian stars.
Exclusive Games
While not a World Cup broadcaster, Paramount+ is vital for following Croatian players in the UEFA Champions League throughout the club season, and it often holds the rights to key European matches that fall outside the FOX umbrella.
Exclusive Games
For the most dedicated fans, adding Sling TV’s Soccer Pass or a ViX Premium subscription ensures you have access to international friendlies and regional coverage that doesn’t always make the primetime cut on major U.S. networks.
Watch Croatia soccer with a free trial
If you’re looking to catch a specific window of Nations League play or the World Cup group stage, you can leverage free trials from major streamers. Just be aware that the availability of your local FOX and Telemundo affiliates depends on your regional location.
| Packages | Price | FOX / FS1 | TNT / truTV | Telemundo | CBS / CBSSN | beIN SPORTS | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Five days free, then $84.99–$149.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | — | View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM |
| Fubo | Five days free, then $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | — | — | ✔ | ✔ | View Plans for FuboTV |
| YouTube TV | Varies, then $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | —* | View Plans for YouTube TV |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Requires Sports Plus add-on.
Get tickets to see Croatia live!
Buy Croatia men’s national team tickets through our partner, StubHub—your source for the best deals on the Vatreni and more.
How to watch Croatia men’s national team soccer FAQ
Can I stream Croatia games without cable?
Yes. Services like Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV carry the FOX and FS1 channels needed for the World Cup. For Spanish-language streaming, Peacock will carry every World Cup match airing on Telemundo.
Why are Croatia games on different channels?
Rights are sold by tournament organizers. FIFA owns the World Cup rights (sold to FOX/Telemundo), while UEFA manages the Nations League and Euros (sold to FOX Sports and occasionally ViX). Friendlies are negotiated individually by national federations.
Can I watch the Croatia men's national team for free?
High-profile World Cup matches airing on your local FOX or Telemundo station can be watched for free with an over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. You can also use temporary free trials from Fubo or YouTube TV. Because the England game is a top-tier fixture, it's almost certain to air on the main FOX broadcast channel (antenna-accessible) rather than just FS1.
How can I watch Croatia games in Spanish?
High-profile World Cup matches airing on your local FOX or Telemundo station can be watched for free with an over-the-air (OTA) digital antenna. You can also use temporary free trials from Fubo or YouTube TV. Because the England game is a top-tier fixture, it's almost certain to air on the main FOX broadcast channel (antenna-accessible) rather than just FS1.
Why you should trust us
Our resident hockey-turned-soccer aficionado, Ian McLaren, spent dozens of hours tracking broadcast rights shifts and streaming reliability to build this guide. Having covered major international tournaments for years, they understand the frustration of channel hopping and have vetted these services to ensure fans don’t miss a single goal. Our goal is to provide a clear, technical roadmap so you can focus on the pitch, not the remote.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
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