The draw ceremony has a decidedly North American flare to it: Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez are co-hosting the event along with Heidi Klum, with the trio joined onstage at various points by Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge and Shaquille O’Neal. Eli Manning is hosting the red carpet, and the musical performers are Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and the Village People.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a frequent visitor to the Donald Trump White House in the run-up to the tournament, also will be presenting the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize during the ceremony. The recipient has not be revealed, but don’t bet against a certain current U.S. president who might or might not have the real FIFA Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office after crashing the trophy presentation to Chelsea over the summer in New Jersey.
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand will conduct the actual draw Friday with the help of broadcaster Samantha Johnson.
In the 2022 tournament, the draw process started 50 minutes in.
We will be starting this year’s process 90 minutes in.
I mean, my expectations were low, but that is… Oh well, here’s hoping Australia get an easy draw.
The 5.40am AEDT endtime SBS expects will be off by a country mile.
According to Deadline, USA will kick off their World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, before facing the Socceroos in Seattle on June 19, and the UEFA playoff winner at SoFi Stadium on June 25.
Update: the Socceroos schedule
Australia v UEFA playoff winner at BC Place, Vancouver on June 13
USA v Australia at Lumen Field, Seattle on June 19
Australia v Paraguay at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara on June 25
(US/Canada times)
Full kickoff times revealed for every game.
Australia’s are as follows (AEST):
14 June 2pm - Australia vs Path C
20 June 5am - USA vs Australia
26 June 12pm - Paraguay vs Australia
Would have thought all of USA’s group games would be played in US primetime.
Aside from that, SBS will be thrilled that all of Australia’s group games have viewer-friendly kickoff times.
The USA v Australia game is on the west coast so probably early prime time into the east coast for the coverage. Edit: that 3pm eastern in the US so yes it’s odd it’s not in prime time.
Good start times for all those games. I’ll be watching from the European time zone during June as I won’t be back in Australia until 15 July in 2026.
The first two Socceroos matches are both on a Saturday in Australia. So viewers will definitely tune in for those games on SBS. The third game is on a Friday at 12pm, so a little trickier to watch (work, school, etc)
SBS announces that all Socceroos group stage matches will be live on the main channel.
Yep, pretty obvious to all of us. Aside from simultaneous matchdays, what happens to the other matches?
(Update: The article has been revised to remove the “Live on SBS and SBSOD” phrase. Someone jumped the gun a bit, I think.)
I don’t doubt at all that the socceroos matches will be on the main channel. Where else would they air them?
And I’m sure many of the matches will be on the main channel as has been the case in the past. Simultaneous games will have one match on main channel and the other on vice land like 2022.
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth –The FIFA World Cup 2026™
Harry Kewell and Lydia Williams join Australia’s Home of the World Game for the Biggest FIFA World Cup in History
FIFA World Cup 2026TM exclusively on SBS and SBS on Demand from June 12-July 20
In 100 days, the biggest sporting event on the planet begins. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will span 104 matches, across 16 cities in three countries, marking the largest tournament in the competition’s history.
As anticipation builds, SBS today reveals the world-class broadcast line-up that will guide Australians through every defining moment.
Leading the coverage are reputable football presenters Niav Owens and Claudio Fabiano, hosting from SBS’s Sydney studios. Both bring extensive football credentials and experience across the game’s biggest international tournaments, making them two of the most credible voices in Australian football broadcasting. Together, they anchor a team built on experience at the highest level of the global game.
Joining them in studio are two of Australia’s most accomplished footballers:
Harry Kewell, one of the finest Socceroos of all time, brings rare insight shaped on football’s biggest stages. A star of multiple FIFA World Cups™ and a Premier League standout with Leeds United and a Champions League winner with Liverpool, Kewell understands what it takes to perform with a nation watching. His analysis is grounded in decades competing against the world’s best.
“The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle. There’s nothing else like it in football,” Harry Kewell said. “I’ve experienced the intensity and pride of representing Australia on that stage, and it stays with you forever. With 100 days to go, you can already feel the anticipation building. This tournament will be bigger than anything we’ve seen before, and I’m looking forward to bringing Australians inside what it really takes to perform when the whole world is watching. When Australians think FIFA World Cup, they think SBS and it’s incredibly special to be part of that tradition as the tournament returns.”
Lydia Williams, a trailblazer of Australian football and one of the most respected goalkeepers of her era, adds depth and authority to SBS’s coverage. A Matildas mainstay for nearly two decades, Williams represented Australia at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups™ and Olympic Games, witnessing first-hand the global rise of the women’s game. Her perspective combines elite tournament experience with leadership at the highest level of Australian sport.
“Playing at a World Cup changes you. At a World Cup, you’re not just playing for your team, you’re playing for everyone watching back home.” said Lydia Williams. “It’s a moment when the whole country comes together, connected by the game. With 100 days to go, the excitement is real, and I’m thrilled to help Australians experience every moment. There’s something powerful about watching the FIFA World Cup together, and SBS has been at the heart of that shared experience for generations.”
Leading commentary for every Socceroos match, David Basheer returns with more than 35 years behind the microphone and nine FIFA World Cups across men’s and women’s tournaments. Few voices in Australian football broadcasting carry comparable tournament experience or connection to the national team.
Together, SBS’s team unites World Cup veterans, elite former internationals and contemporary football voices, with more special guests to be announced, to deliver sharp analysis, cultural insight and deep knowledge of the global game.
Ken Shipp, SBS’s Director of Sport said: “Reaching 100 days to go marks a major milestone in the global sporting calendar, The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest tournament the game has ever seen, and SBS is proud to bring every match live and free to Australians. Our broadcast team combines World Cup experience, elite playing careers and deep football knowledge. Together, they will guide the nation through every moment that matters.”
As the exclusive Australian broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM, SBS will deliver more than 550 hours of coverage, including every match live in HD, full replays, mini-matches and highlights. Australians can also follow the Socceroos’ campaign with exclusive content and in-depth analysis. David Basheer will also host a daily SBS On Demand vodcast, dedicated entirely to the Socceroos, running every day they remain in the tournament.
On SBS On Demand, the dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026TM Hub will serve as the central destination for live streaming, catch-up replays / mini matches / extended highlights, plus classic matches and more. Complementing the tournament coverage is FIFA+, a dedicated FAST channel featuring around-the-clock global football content from both the men’s and women’s game. The SBS Sport website will feature a special FIFA World Cup 2026™ takeover, including an interactive match centre, updated broadcast information, opinion, match highlights / other short-form video, and promotion of our SBS News / SBS On Demand offerings.
Hyundai, Hisense, Macca’s, Rexona, bet365, Commonwealth Bank and Youi will support the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ as SBS official broadcast partners.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ kicks off on June 12 (AEST) running until July 20, with all 104 games live and free on SBS, SBS Viceland and SBS on Demand.
A new era for SBS’ World Cup coverage. They have aired the World Cup for as long as I can remember. Wish there was a paid option for SBS on Demand with no ads and 4K for the World Cup. It’s 2026 and only HD is available here in Australia. Many countries are airing the tournament in 4K UHD
Disappointing they’re not hosting from one of the host countries and doing in studio from Sydney.
Agreed but given it’s SBS, if saving costs by hosting it here means they’re winning these rights, I’m willing to accept it.
Especially considering those quartertime breaks.
If a numbered CFTA has rights, I can guarantee it’ll be littered with ads.
At least with SBS there’s likely some content, whatever form that takes.