Three days before the World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, Monday night is giving sports fans almost no excuse to look away from a screen. The headline act is NBA Finals Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, with the New York Knicks two wins from their first championship in over 50 years. Running alongside it, France, Spain and the Netherlands all play their final pre-tournament friendlies — the last meaningful looks at World Cup squads before the real thing begins. Here is everything on tonight's slate and where to find it.
NBA Finals Game 3 — Knicks vs Spurs, 8:30 PM ET on ABC
The biggest story in basketball moves to New York tonight, and Madison Square Garden will be exactly the cauldron you expect. The Knicks enter Game 3 with a 2-0 series lead, the product of two road wins in San Antonio that extended their playoff winning streak to 13 games — one of the longest runs in recent postseason history. A win tonight puts them one away from the title; a loss keeps the series alive and gives the Spurs a glimmer heading back to Texas.
Karl-Anthony Towns has been the series' standout performer, averaging 19.5 points and 12.5 rebounds through two games while anchoring a defensive effort designed to slow Victor Wembanyama. Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges each added 20 in Game 2, a 105-104 thriller that ended when Wembanyama — isolated on the final possession — turned the ball over, sending the Knicks home with a 2-0 lead they barely expected. Game 3 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming available on ESPN Unlimited and Fubo.
The atmosphere at the Garden is likely to be unlike anything New York basketball has produced in decades. The city's wait for an NBA champion stretches back to 1973, and the noise, energy and chaos that greets the Knicks when they take the court tonight will be worth tuning in for even if you don't follow the teams.
France vs Northern Ireland — 3:10 PM ET on FS2
France plays their final warm-up before the World Cup in Lille this afternoon, hosting a Northern Ireland side that failed to qualify for the tournament but has shown form in recent friendlies. For France fans, this match matters because it comes after a concerning 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in their previous outing — the kind of result that prompts questions about defensive shape and whether the squad is clicking ahead of a June 16 opener against Senegal. Manager Didier Deschamps is expected to rotate heavily, giving fringe players minutes while protecting his first-choice starters. The game starts at 3:10 p.m. ET on FS2, and UK viewers can watch free via BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
Netherlands vs Uzbekistan — 2:30 PM ET on Fox Soccer+
The Dutch have arguably the most cohesive squad of any European nation heading into this World Cup, and their final tune-up against Uzbekistan offers a chance to fine-tune the details. Uzbekistan are a livelier opponent than typical fodder — they qualified for Group K alongside Portugal, DR Congo and Colombia — making this a genuine test rather than a routine warm-up. Kick-off is 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Plus.
Peru vs Spain — 9:50 PM ET on FS2
The late game brings Spain — third-favourite to win the whole tournament — against Peru in a Friday Night Lights slot that will largely be played at full pace. Spain's squad depth is genuinely staggering: they can afford to rest three or four starters and still put out a team that would trouble most World Cup nations. Peru will be competitive, but for Spain fans the interest is in seeing which younger players push for a spot in the starting eleven. Kick-off is 9:50 p.m. ET on FS2.
World Cup countdown: three days to go
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens on Thursday, June 11 with Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca — a repeat of the 2010 opener that should be a spectacular occasion given the home crowd in Mexico City. With squads now finalised and these final friendlies wrapping up tonight, the tournament preparation enters its final 72 hours. After months of previews, predictions and squad announcements, the actual football is almost here.
If tonight's World Cup friendlies leave you wanting more context on the teams involved, there is a full preview of France in Group I (alongside Senegal, Iraq and Norway) on the blog, as well as our guide on how to watch every World Cup match live.
FAQ
What channel is NBA Finals Game 3 on tonight? Game 3 of the Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals is on ABC at 8:30 p.m. ET. You can also stream it via ESPN Unlimited, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
Where can I watch France vs Northern Ireland? In the US, it is on FS2 at 3:10 p.m. ET. In the UK, it is free-to-air on BBC Three and BBC Two Northern Ireland, and available to stream via BBC iPlayer.
Is the Stanley Cup Final on tonight? No — Game 4 between the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9. Tonight belongs to the NBA.
When does the World Cup start? Thursday, June 11 — Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca kicks things off at around 5 p.m. local time. Check Scorelisto's soccer schedule for the full group-stage fixture list and live scores once the tournament is under way.