ARD and ZDF to broadcast 60 matches of the 2026 World Cup

Deutsche Telekom has finalized a sub-licensing agreement with German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The deal allows ARD and ZDF to broadcast 60 matches from the tournament, including all games involving the German national team, should they qualify.

The agreement follows Deutsche Telekom's acquisition of exclusive rights to all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup for its MagentaTV streaming service. German broadcasting regulations require that matches featuring the national team, as well as the opening and final matches, must be available on free-to-air television. This necessitated Telekom finding a partner for sub-licensing, a move consistent with arrangements for previous tournaments.

Under the new agreement, ARD and ZDF will each broadcast 30 matches, ensuring broad access to the event across Germany. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with matches taking place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

MagentaTV has previously broadcast major football tournaments, including the 2022 Men's World Cup and the 2024 European Championship. In some instances, MagentaTV has offered matches in higher video quality than public broadcasters. Johannes B. Kerner is set to return as the main presenter for the tournament coverage.