The broadcasters ARD and ZDF, in partnership with Telekom, secured rights to broadcast 60 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 44 of these matches being exclusive to Telekom's MagentaTV streaming service.

The deal includes the broadcasting of Germany's national team matches during the World Cup if they qualify, with public broadcasters set to show key matches such as the opening game, semi-finals, and final, due to their societal significance.

A clause in the FIFA contract mandates that a significant number of matches be sublicensed to free-to-air broadcasters with nationwide reach, though the specific matches and channels affected remain unclear.

This broadcasting arrangement reflects efforts by the broadcasters to secure high-profile sports content and sustain public interest in the event.

The agreement was made secretly, with initial silence from Telekom and the broadcasters, highlighting strategic planning behind the scenes.

This strategy could influence viewership and commercial management of the tournament in Germany.

The announcement was made on October 7, 2025, by dpa, outlining the media coverage plans for the upcoming World Cup.

Public broadcasters will cover a large portion of the event, ensuring broader accessibility for viewers across Germany.

ARD’s sports director emphasized the importance of a collective football experience and the partnership with Telekom to provide comprehensive coverage during the World Cup.

The agreement aims to balance commercial interests with societal needs by making the matches widely accessible in Germany.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico, and the USA, with broadcast details still being finalized.

ZDF’s director highlighted the logistical challenges of hosting over 100 matches across three countries and praised Telekom’s cooperation during economically challenging times.

Johannes B. Kerner will host the broadcasts again, with MagentaTV offering high-quality 4K streams on select devices.

The broadcasting agreement covers all post-match reports and audio content across ARD and ZDF platforms.

The arrangement ensures that major matches of societal importance are publicly accessible, aligning with media regulations and societal interests.

Germany’s national team has not yet qualified for the tournament, with their participation depending on upcoming qualifiers following a recent loss.

The 2026 tournament will be the first with 48 teams and 104 matches, compared to 24 teams and 51 matches at the 2024 European Championship.

Additionally, ARD and ZDF have acquired rights to the 2028 European Championship in the UK and Northern Ireland, with matches also available on Telekom’s pay service, including all German games, the opening, semi-finals, and final.