
How to watch World Cup in Germany
In Germany, Deutsche Telekom holds the primary FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights and will show all 104 matches live on MagentaTV, including 44 exclusive fixtures. Free-to-air coverage is shared by ARD and ZDF, with each public broadcaster showing selected matches, including key games such as Germany fixtures, semi-finals and the final. A FIFA World Cup 2026 live stream in Germany is available through MagentaTV for subscribers, while ARD and ZDF stream their free-to-air matches through their own web and app platforms.
How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany
See the full match schedule, kick-off times, standings and TV listings.
ARD will broadcast 30 matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Germany on its free-to-air TV channels, including the opening match, semi-finals, the final, and all Germany fixtures, with additional streaming and radio coverage available via ARD digital platforms.
Where to Watch
Fans in Germany can watch select FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live on ARD, which secured sublicensing rights from Deutsche Telekom. The public broadcaster will air 30 games from the tournament, sharing coverage with ZDF.
Free-to-Air Coverage
ARD’s World Cup broadcasts are available free-to-air, ensuring access without a subscription. The network will focus on key fixtures and matches of national interest.
- 30 matches live
- Opening match
- Both semi-finals
- Final
- All Germany national team matches (if qualified)
Streaming Availability
Viewers can also watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live stream in Germany through ARD’s online services. Matches are available via web and app platforms for flexible viewing.
- ARD website (live streaming)
- ARD Audiothek app (iOS, Android, smart TVs)
- Free access within Germany
Radio & Audio Coverage
In addition to TV broadcasts, ARD provides extensive radio coverage of the tournament, allowing fans to follow matches live through audio services.
- Live radio commentary via Sportschau app
- Streaming on web platforms
- Compatibility with Amazon Alexa
- Optimized for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Replays & Highlights
ARD offers comprehensive post-match content alongside its live coverage:
- Highlights from all 104 World Cup matches
- Analysis and recap programming
- Digital clips and updates across ARD platforms
This setup enables viewers to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 TV coverage in Germany for free on ARD, with both live match broadcasts and extensive digital and audio access throughout the tournament.
ARD airs World Cup matches on ARD Mediathek, Das Erste, ONE or sportschau.de.
Deutsche Telekom holds exclusive rights to broadcast all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Germany, including 44 exclusive fixtures, with full live coverage available via its MagentaTV streaming platform, while select matches—particularly involving Germany—are expected to be sublicensed to free-to-air channels in line with national regulations.
Where to Watch
Fans looking to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Germany can access every match through MagentaTV, Deutsche Telekom’s subscription-based streaming service. The platform is the primary destination for complete tournament coverage, including all 104 matches, 44 of those being exclusive.
Free-to-Air Coverage
Due to German broadcasting regulations, certain matches—most notably those involving the German national team—are expected to be available on free-to-air television. These sublicensing agreements typically involve major public broadcasters such as ARD and ZDF, ensuring key fixtures remain accessible without a paid subscription.
Streaming Availability
MagentaTV provides full FIFA World Cup live stream access in Germany. Subscribers can watch matches in real time and access additional content through multiple digital platforms.
- Web browser access via MagentaTV website
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android devices
- Smart TV and streaming device compatibility (where supported by MagentaTV app)
Subscription & Access
MagentaTV is a paid service, and users must hold an active subscription to watch World Cup matches live. The platform operates independently of traditional cable or satellite packages, though Telekom customers may have bundled access depending on their contract.
Broadcast Coverage
All matches are broadcast live with German-language commentary. In addition to live games, MagentaTV offers comprehensive tournament coverage, including pre-match and post-match programming where available.
Replays & Highlights
Subscribers can access a range of on-demand content alongside live broadcasts. This includes:
- Full match replays
- Short highlights and key moments
- Exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content
- Catch-up viewing for missed matches
This setup ensures that viewers in Germany have both complete live access through MagentaTV and limited free-to-air options for major fixtures, providing multiple ways to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 TV schedule.
Deutsche Telekom airs World Cup matches on Magenta Sport or MagentaTV.
ORF will broadcast 52 matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Austria across its free-to-air TV channels and the ORF ON streaming app, including the final and key Austria fixtures, with rights shared alongside ServusTV.
Where to Watch
Fans in Austria can watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live on ORF, the country’s public broadcaster. ORF will air 52 matches as part of a shared rights agreement with ServusTV, following a sublicensing deal that made the coverage non-exclusive.
Free-to-Air Coverage
All ORF broadcasts are available free-to-air, providing wide access to major World Cup fixtures without requiring a subscription. The network’s coverage includes key knockout-stage matches and Austria national team games.
- 52 matches live, including:
- 4 Round of 16 matches
- 2 quarter-final matches
- 1 semi-final
- Final (19 July, New Jersey)
- Austria vs Algeria (group stage)
- Austria vs Jordan (group stage)
- All Austria knockout matches from Round of 16 onward (if qualified)
Streaming Availability
Viewers can also watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live stream in Austria via ORF’s digital services. Matches are available live and on demand through its official streaming platform.
- ORF ON app (iOS and Android)
- Free streaming within Austria
- Live simulcasts and catch-up viewing
Broadcast Coverage
ORF’s World Cup coverage is distributed across its network of free-to-air channels. All matches feature German-language commentary, along with studio analysis and match-day programming provided by a team of presenters and former professional players.
Replays & Highlights
In addition to live broadcasts, ORF offers ongoing tournament coverage through various formats:
- Match highlights and replays via TV and digital platforms
- News updates through regular ORF bulletins
- Additional content across ORF’s online and social media channels
This setup allows viewers to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 TV coverage in Austria for free, with ORF providing extensive live matches alongside digital access through its streaming app.
ORF airs World Cup matches on ORF eins.
SRF will show the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Switzerland on free-to-air television, with coverage centred on SRF 1 and other SRF TV slots as scheduled, while live streaming is available through srf.ch/sport, the SRF Sport app and Play SRF. SRF has confirmed live coverage of all 104 matches for German-speaking audiences in Switzerland, with almost all matches also carried on television.
How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup on SRF in Switzerland
Viewers in German-speaking Switzerland can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup live through SRF’s television, online and mobile services. SRF’s coverage runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, covering the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
For linear television, SRF has stated that almost all matches will be shown on TV. The original broadcast information identifies SRF 1 as the main television home for the coverage, while viewers should check the SRF TV schedule for the assigned channel and kick-off time for each match.
Streaming Availability
SRF has confirmed that all 104 matches will be available as commented live streams on srf.ch/sport and in the SRF Sport app. Play SRF also carries SRF live television and on-demand programming, giving viewers another route to follow SRF’s World Cup output online in Switzerland.
- srf.ch/sport: commented live streams, match reports, results, analysis, interviews and additional World Cup coverage.
- SRF Sport app: live streams, live scores, news, reports and tournament updates.
- Play SRF: SRF live TV streams and on-demand SRF programmes, including World Cup coverage made available by SRF.
Free-to-Air Coverage
SRF’s 2026 FIFA World Cup TV coverage is free-to-air in Switzerland for German-speaking audiences. SRF has placed the Swiss national team at the centre of its coverage, with Swiss matches receiving full broadcast attention across TV, radio, online and social media.
Broadcast Coverage and Presenters
SRF’s World Cup studio in Zurich is led by Annette Fetscherin, Lukas Studer, Rainer Maria Salzgeber and Mevion Heim. SRF has also named Martina Moser, Fabian Frei, Marc Schneider and Fabian Lustenberger among the experts contributing analysis, with studio guests including Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Diego Benaglio, Bruno Berner, Mladen Petric and Heinz Lindner.
Swiss matches are commentated by Sascha Ruefer from the venue, with Jeff Baltermia reporting around the Swiss team. Across the tournament, SRF’s commentary team includes Ruefer, Dani Kern, Mario Gehrer, Manuel Köng, Dominic Ledergerber, Calvin Stettler, Rachel Rinast, Reto Müller, Mevion Heim, Jeroen Heijers and Silvan Schweizer.
Replays, Highlights and Social Coverage
SRF’s online World Cup special provides results, match reports, analysis, interviews and related features. SRF Sport social media channels will publish results, highlight scenes and match summaries, while SRF has confirmed that 15 selected World Cup matches will also be streamed live on YouTube.
Device Support
Play SRF is available through web browsers and as an app for iOS and Android devices. SRF also lists smart TV access through Android TV, Apple TV and AirPlay, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast, although some SRF programmes may be restricted outside Switzerland for rights reasons.
ZDF will broadcast 30 matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Germany on free-to-air television, including the opening match, semi-finals, the final, and all Germany fixtures, with additional streaming available via the ZDF website and app.
Where to Watch
Fans in Germany can watch selected FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live on ZDF, one of the country’s main public broadcasters. The network will air 30 games as part of a sublicensing agreement with Deutsche Telekom, which holds full tournament rights.
Free-to-Air Coverage
ZDF’s coverage is available free-to-air, meaning no subscription is required. The broadcaster will show some of the tournament’s most significant fixtures, ensuring wide public access.
- 30 matches live
- Opening match
- Both semi-finals
- Final
- All Germany national team matches (if qualified)
Streaming Availability
Viewers can also access a FIFA World Cup 2026 live stream in Germany through ZDF’s digital platforms. Matches are simulcast online, allowing fans to follow the tournament on multiple devices.
- ZDF official website (live streaming)
- ZDF app for iOS and Android
- Free access within Germany
Broadcast Coverage
ZDF provides German-language commentary, studio analysis, and match-day programming for all live broadcasts. Its coverage focuses on key fixtures, including decisive knockout matches and games involving the German national team.
Additional Coverage
Beyond its live match selection, ZDF offers extended tournament coverage across all 104 FIFA World Cup matches through supplementary programming and audio services.
- Highlights and post-match analysis for all games
- Comprehensive audio coverage of the full tournament
- News updates and editorial content throughout the competition
This arrangement allows fans to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026 TV coverage in Germany for free via ZDF, alongside broader access to all matches through Deutsche Telekom’s MagentaTV platform.
ZDF airs World Cup matches on ZDF, ZDF Sport, ZDF Sport Extra or ZDFinfo.



















