SportsWatch: World Cup 2022: How to watch, who’s favored to win and everything else you need to know

There is no shortage of controversy around this year’s World Cup, from allegations of bribery and corruption in the bidding process, to abusive working conditions to Qatar’s abysmal human-rights record. Still, it’s expected that a record 5 billion people around the world will watch the tournament on TV.

Brazil — the world’s top-ranked team — is favored to win, according to VegasInsider, with a roster full of stars including Neymar, Alisson, Casemiro, Richarlison, Gabriel Jesus and Vinicius Jr. Argentina, in Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance, has the second-best odds in betting markets, followed by defending champion France, England and Spain. Fun fact: A new report estimates Americans will bet $1.8 billion on the World Cup this year.

How to watch on TV

All 64 matches will be broadcast live in the U.S. on Fox and its sister cable-sports network, FS1.

To watch live, fans will most likely need to subscribe to a cable package or a live-streaming service that includes Fox and FS1, such as Hulu Live, YouTube TV, FuboTV or Sling. But there is a free option: Viewers with a TV antenna can watch all 35 Fox broadcasts, though will be unable to tune into FS1, and Spanish-language broadcasts of every match will also air on Telemundo.

Internationally, World Cup matches will air on Bell Media in Canada, BBC and ITV in the U.K., and SBS in Australia.

Are there any streaming options?

Yes, but they’re limited.

Telemundo’s Spanish-language broadcasts of all 64 games will live-stream on Comcast’s
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-0.35%
Peacock, where they will also be available on demand.

And for those who don’t need to watch live, Fox
FOX,
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-owned free streaming service Tubi will offer same-day replays of all games.

The Fox Sports and Telemundo Deportes apps will also live-stream the games, but you’ll need to log in through a cable subscription.

Also see: Here’s what’s worth streaming in November 2022: ‘The Crown,’ ‘Willow,’ ‘Mythic Quest’ and more

What time are matches?

Host Qatar will take on Senegal to open the tournament Sunday at 11 a.m. Eastern.

Most of the high-profile matches, including all three opening-round games for the U.S., will start at 2 p.m. Eastern (10 p.m. Qatar time). Click here for a full tournament schedule.

There will be four games a day for the group stage (Nov. 22-28), starting at 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eastern. Round of 16 and quarterfinal games (Dec. 3-Dec. 19) will start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Eastern; semifinals (Dec. 13-14) will start at 2 p.m. Eastern; and the final (Dec. 18) will start at 10 a.m. Eastern.

When does the U.S. team play?

The U.S. Men’s National Team is ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, but is seen as a remote longshot to win it all. With a roster full of exciting young players — including Cristian Pulisic, Weston McKennie,  Giovanni Reyna and Tyler Adams — the USMNT would be happy advancing to the Round of 16, and ecstatic to advance past that.

Here’s the group-stage schedule for the U.S.:

• Monday, Nov. 21 vs. Wales (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)• Friday, Nov. 25 vs. England (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)• Tuesday, Nov. 29 vs. Iran (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

If the U.S. advances past the group stage, its Round of 16 game would be held at either 10 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 3 (Fox), or 2 p.m. Eastern on Dec. 4 (FS1).

What other matches are worth watching?

Here are 10 non-U.S. group-stage matches that should be worth checking out:

• Senegal vs. Netherlands, Nov. 21 (11 a.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Belgium vs. Canada, Nov. 23 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Brazil vs. Serbia, Nov. 24 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• France vs. Denmark, Nov. 26 (11 a.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Argentina vs. Mexico, Nov. 26 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Spain vs. Germany, Nov. 27 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Portugal vs. Uruguay, Nov. 28 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Argentina vs. Poland, Nov. 30 (2 p.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Belgium vs. Croatia, Dec. 1 (10 a.m. Eastern, Fox)

• Ghana vs. Uruguay, Dec. 2 (10 a.m. Eastern, FS1)