soccer fans across the United States are gearing up for an action-packed summer, as ESPN announced the launch of its “Road to 26” series. This collection of international matches features some of the world’s top-ranked men’s national teams, playing across various venues in the U.S. and Europe. The series officially began on Thursday, March 26, with a highly anticipated clash between France and Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The “Road to 26” series, presented by Turkish Airlines, is set to showcase a number of elite teams, including France (ranked No. 3), Brazil (No. 5), Morocco (No. 8), Croatia (No. 11), and Colombia (No. 13), according to the latest FIFA World Rankings. Additional June matches featuring more international powerhouses are expected to be announced soon, promising a continuous stream of high-caliber soccer.
ESPN holds exclusive broadcast rights in the United States for most of these matches, with all games available for streaming in English exclusively on the ESPN App for those with an ESPN Unlimited plan. Some games will also air on ESPN2, and five will be broadcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
Key Matchups and Broadcast Details
Highlights from the current “Road to 26” schedule include:
- Brazil vs. France: This matchup, held on Thursday, March 26, at Gillette Stadium, marked the first meeting between the two nations since March 2015. The game was broadcast exclusively on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.
- Brazil vs. Egypt: Scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland.
- Brazil vs. Croatia: A rematch of their 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal, this game took place on Tuesday, March 31, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Croatia had advanced on penalties in their previous encounter.
The series aims to build excitement for the upcoming major international tournaments and provides fans with ample opportunities to follow their favorite national teams as they prepare for global competitions. For those interested in attending, tickets are available at RoadTo26.com.
