ARD and ZDF are broadcast 60 games of the 2026 World Cup live. Among them are all games of the German team, provided that they qualify for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
ARD, ZDF and Sporta, the joint sports law agency of ARD and ZDF, have agreed with which rights holder Telekom agreed on this. 60 of the 104 World Cup games are thus broadcast on ARD and ZDF. The 2026 tournament is the first World Cup with 48 teams and 104 games. For comparison: 24 teams took part in the EM 2024 in Germany and played 51 games.
In addition, there is a comprehensive recycling of all 104 games of the World Cup on all platforms and in all offers from ARD and ZDF as well as audio reporting from all games of the agreement. Telekom and its streaming service Magenta TV had secured the TV rights for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico at FIFA three months ago. Telekom will show all 104 games of the tournament.
All German games at ARD and ZDF
The acquired package of ARD and ZDF includes all World Cup games of the German national team – if they qualify for the tournament in the coming year. The Media Treaty stipulates that the games of the German team must be broadcast on the “freely recept and generally accessible television program”. This also applies to games that are events “of considerable social importance” To be classified – these are the opening game, the two semi -finals and the final. These encounters will now show ARD and ZDF in the coming year. The kick -off times of the games have so far been unclear.
Germany’s players cheer over the 3-1 against Northern Ireland.
The DFB-Elf started the elimination round for the 2026 World Cup with a disappointing 0-2 defeat in Slovakia. Through the following 3: 1 against Northern Ireland, the DFB team goes to Slovakia in the next double matchday with a deficit of three points. In Sinsheim, Germany meets on Friday (8:45 p.m./Live in the first) on group-blank luxembourg. The game in Belfast against Northern Ireland will follow on Monday (8:45 p.m.).
ARD sports intent: “Make possible community Football experience “
“For millions of people in the country, the World Cup is a sporting event that they experience and celebrate together with other football enthusiasts”, ARD sports intenter Dr. Katrin Vernau from WDR. “I am very pleased that we can also offer this major social and sporting event at ARD and ZDF in the coming year. We will continue our proven partnership with Telekom and share exploitation rights with each other. Especially in economically challenging times, we need such common models. Our agreement enables us to accompany the most important games of the big tournaments – and of course the games of the German national football team – over all platforms. As usual, we can offer our audience a current, varied, comprehensive program and enable a joint football experience. “
ARD sports intenter Dr. Katrin Vernau
“A World Cup, in which more than 100 games are played for the first time in three organizations, brings special challenges”, “ said ZDF director Dr. Norbert Himmler: “Against this background, the partnership with Telekom, especially in economically difficult times, is very valuable.”
Telekom receives rights to the Euro 2028 from ARD and ZDF
In January, ARD and ZDF also acquired the rights for all games at the EM 2028 in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The two channels are now sublicened via Sporta the audiovisual exploitation rights on all 51 games of the UEFA Euro 2028 For a Pay offer to Telekom. 34 encounters at the European Football Championship in Great Britain and Ireland can be seen live at ARD and ZDF, including both the games of the German national team as well as the opening game, the semi-finals and the final.
The conclusion of the agreement is subject to the commitment of the bodies responsible for the broadcasting facilities.