NBC Bay Area in San Francisco is launching its countdown coverage for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a special airing on December 6, 2025. KNTV will broadcast “Countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026,” a half-hour program dedicated to the “passion, history and future of soccer in Northern California,” on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai and Gia Vang, the show comes approximately six months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup commences in Santa Clara, where Levi’s Stadium is set to host several matches. The program will look at the Bay Area's historical significance in American soccer, exploring its development from local community fields and youth organizations to MLS stadiums and international tournaments, through conversations with notable figures in the sport.
Featured interviews include: Team and Bay Area soccer leaders who discuss the rise of the women’s game and the region’s newest NWSL club. The special focuses on key players, pioneers, and defining moments that have shaped the Bay Area’s soccer identity, along with the escalating anticipation as the global competition nears its arrival in Santa Clara.
“As the excitement builds toward 2026, we’re focused on giving fans comprehensive and engaging World Cup coverage across every platform,” said Stacy Owen, president and general manager of NBC Bay Area and Telemundo 48, in a statement. “We’re proud to lead the region’s coverage and give fans unrivaled access to one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.”