Fox Under Fire for World Cup 2026 Opening Coverage and Ad Breaks

The highly anticipated start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been met with early controversy regarding its broadcast. Following the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, US rights holder Fox has drawn considerable viewer backlash for its presentation, which reportedly cut away from crucial moments of both the pre-match festivities and the game itself.

A major point of contention arose from Fox's decision to skip the entirety of Shakira's headline performance during the opening ceremony. While the Colombian superstar, joined by Burna Boy, performed the song 'Dai Dai' to kick off the tournament, Fox's broadcast reportedly shifted to a panel of analysts in an empty Los Angeles studio. In contrast, Spanish-language broadcaster Telemundo, also holding US rights, did air the full ceremony. Fox did, however, show other elements of the pre-game spectacle, including the procession of flags representing the 48 participating nations and performances by Andrea Bocelli and EJAE, alongside the national anthems.

The criticism extended beyond the opening ceremony. Viewers expressed frustration that Fox's coverage frequently cut to full-screen commercial advertisements during the mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in each half of the match. These unexpected interruptions meant audiences missed portions of the live action, leading to a stark contrast with how the event was reportedly broadcast in other territories, such as the UK. The 2026 World Cup is set to feature three distinct opening ceremonies, each preceding the first match of one of the host nations, promising unique celebrations of culture and football.