MSC Cruises to Air All 104 2026 World Cup Matches Fleetwide

MSC Cruises said it will air live broadcasts of all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup across its fleet during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The cruise line announced the fleetwide plan on Feb. 12, 2026, as the World Cup heads to a three-country host lineup of Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Fleetwide match coverage, built around public viewing

MSC Cruises said guests will be able to follow every match on board in multiple public venues, with viewing locations expected to vary by ship. The company positioned the program around shared spaces designed for watching sports, rather than limiting broadcasts to a single onboard location.

MSC Cruises did not say whether the matches will be available on stateroom televisions, focusing its announcement on communal viewing areas and shipboard programming tied to the event.

Where matches will be shown on board

Across the fleet, MSC Cruises said match broadcasts will be offered in a mix of indoor and outdoor venues intended to support both casual viewing and larger group gatherings.

• Sports bars and casino bars: Ships will use bar venues commonly set up for live sports, giving guests a place to watch matches in a social setting.
• Pool decks with large LED screens: Outdoor pool areas are expected to carry games on LED screens, adding a high-visibility option during sea days and daytime kickoffs.
• Designated lounges and theaters: MSC Cruises also pointed to larger venues that can accommodate bigger crowds for high-demand matches.

World Cup-themed programming during sailings

In addition to live screenings, MSC Cruises said it will run football-themed activities during the tournament window. The onboard program is set to include interactive games and quizzes, alongside family-friendly entertainment designed around the World Cup.

MSC Cruises said the broadcasts will be available on global itineraries, including regions where football has large audiences, such as Europe and South America.

Sample itineraries overlapping the tournament calendar

MSC Cruises highlighted how World Cup viewing would align with sailings in multiple markets during mid-June through mid-July 2026, including the following seven-night itineraries.

MSC Poesia: Alaska (roundtrip Seattle)

MSC Poesia is scheduled to offer a seven-night Alaska cruise departing June 22, 2026, sailing roundtrip from Seattle. The itinerary includes calls at Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Juneau in Alaska, plus Victoria, Canada. MSC Cruises lists the ship at 2,550 guests.

MSC Virtuosa: Northern Europe (roundtrip Southampton)

MSC Virtuosa is scheduled for a seven-night voyage departing July 4, 2026, sailing roundtrip from Southampton, England. Port calls include La Rochelle and Cherbourg in France, and Bilbao and La Coruna in Spain. MSC Virtuosa is listed at 4,842 guests.

MSC Orchestra: Mediterranean (departing Marseille)

MSC Orchestra is set for a seven-night Mediterranean itinerary departing July 2, 2026, from Marseille, France. MSC Cruises described the itinerary as a roundtrip from Genoa, Italy, and it includes calls at Tarragona, Spain, and Livorno and Rome, Italy. MSC Orchestra is listed at 2,550 guests.

How MSC’s approach compares with other cruise lines

MSC Cruises is among several major operators planning onboard access to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reflecting demand from guests who want to follow matches while traveling.

Unlike Carnival Corporation, which has said its coverage will include in-cabin viewing as well as public screenings, MSC Cruises has not confirmed live broadcasts inside staterooms. Carnival announced in December 2025 that, following an agreement with IMG, all matches would be available via Sport 24 Special Event Channels on ships operated by Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced a separate broadcast agreement in January 2026. Norwegian’s plan includes two channels carrying match coverage to accommodate overlapping kickoff times, and recordings that can be watched within 24 hours for guests who were ashore or otherwise unable to watch live.

With the tournament scheduled from mid-June through mid-July 2026, MSC Cruises’ plan sets up its ships as live viewing venues during sailings that overlap the month-long event, with additional World Cup-themed programming layered into the onboard schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will MSC Cruises show every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

MSC Cruises said it will offer live broadcasts of all 104 matches across its fleet during the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Where can guests watch World Cup matches on MSC Cruises ships?

MSC Cruises said the matches will be shown live in public venues, including sports bars, casino bars, pool decks using large LED screens, and designated lounges and theaters. Specific locations are expected to vary by ship.

Will World Cup matches be available in staterooms on MSC Cruises ships?

MSC Cruises did not specify whether in-cabin stateroom televisions will carry the broadcasts. The company’s announcement focused on live viewing in shared public areas on board.

What World Cup-themed activities will MSC Cruises add during the tournament?

MSC Cruises said it is planning football-themed programming that includes interactive games and quizzes, along with additional family-friendly entertainment during the tournament window.

How does MSC Cruises’ World Cup offering differ from Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Line?

MSC Cruises has emphasized communal viewing in public venues and themed onboard activities, without confirming in-room viewing. Carnival has said its brands will offer both public-area and in-cabin viewing via Sport 24 Special Event Channels, while Norwegian has outlined a plan that includes two live channels for overlapping matches and recordings available within 24 hours.