The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicks off today in Russia, with matches taking place until the July 15th finals. If you've cut the cord and are looking for a way to watch the action on your Roku, here are your options.
First, you need to know which networks are broadcasting the 2018 matches. Fox has exclusive English-language rights and will broadcast 38 matches on the Fox network and 26 matches on Fox Sports 1. NBC Universal owns the Spanish-language broadcast rights and will air 56 matches on Telemundo and eight on Universo.
Knowing which networks are broadcasting the matches, here are the streaming TV services that carry networks with FIFA matches:
Sling TV
Sling TV is the most-watched streaming TV service on Roku, and has made it easy to find World Cup matches by putting them all under a 2018 FIFA World Cup ribbon under the Sports tab in Roku's Sling TV app - no need to jump through the various channels looking for the next match. The matches available, however, will depend on your Sling subscription.
To get Fox broadcasts, you will need a Sling Blue subscription ($25/month with 7-day free trial), which gives you access to FS1 and to local Fox over-the-air broadcasts in select markets. Best of all, a Sling Blue subscription lets you activate the Fox Sports app on Roku and other devices, so you can stream all of the live action available there, including the Fox bonus feeds. Universo is available with the Sling "Best of Spanish TV" extra pack for $5/month.
If you just want to watch the action and don't care for English-language commentary, every Sling International package (starting at $10/month) includes all 64 FIFA World Cup games. Matches are being carried in four different languages: Arabic, Brazilian, French, and Polish. In addition to one of these feeds (French for all South Asian and European languages and Brazilian for all East Asian languages), a no commentary/natural audio version is also provided in every International package.
Hulu with Live TV
Hulu with Live TV ($39.99/month with a 7-day free trial) lets subscribers stream local Fox channels for much of the US and also includes FS1 and Telemundo. Hulu with Live TV also allows activation of the the Fox Sports app.
PlayStation Vue
PlayStation Vue ($39.99/month for Access package with 5-day free trial) includes Fox and FS1. Local Fox broadcasts are available in only in 24 markets, and 34 get the national Fox feed. The Español Pack adds Universo for $4.99/month. PlayStation Vue allows activation of the the Fox Sports app.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV ($40/ month) includes local Fox broadcasts in 84 markets the national Fox feed in 14. The services includes FS1, Telemundo, and Universo and allows activation of the Fox Sports app.
FuboTV
FuboTV ($44.99/month with 7-day free trial) includes local Fox broadcasts in 136 markets, and also streams FS1, Telemundo, and NBC Universo. Activation of the Fox Sports app is allowed.
DirecTV Now
DirecTV Now ($35/month with 1-week free trial) has local Fox channels covering much the U.S., Telemundo in several markets, and FS1. To get Universo, you will need to upgrade to the "Go Big" package ($60/month). DirecTV Now also lets you activate the Fox Sports app.
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