How to Watch the 2026 World Cup in Germany
ARD and ZDF — Germany's public broadcasters — share a selection of World Cup matches free. MagentaTV (Deutsche Telekom) holds rights to all 104 matches and is the only way to watch every game in German.
German broadcasters
| Service | Language | Cost | VPN? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARD / ZDF Public broadcasters; some matches free. ARD Mediathek and ZDF Mediathek for streaming. | German | Free | No |
| All matches including those not on free TV | German | ~€10/mo | No |
ARD & ZDF — free public coverage
ARD and ZDF are splitting the free-to-air matches between them. Historically this has included Germany's group stage games, the semi-finals, and the final — the matches with the highest domestic viewership. The exact split is announced closer to each broadcast.
Both channels are available free over-the-air (DVB-T2), via cable, and via satellite. For streaming:
- ARD Mediathek — ardmediathek.de and the ARD Mediathek app stream ARD live and on-demand, free. No account required.
- ZDF Mediathek — zdf.de and the ZDF app offer the same for ZDF broadcasts. Also free, no account required.
ARD and ZDF Mediathek are geo-restricted to Germany. If you're traveling abroad during the tournament, a VPN set to a German server restores access to both.
Which matches are free?
The exact free-to-air match schedule depends on the rights agreement between ARD/ZDF and MagentaTV. In previous tournaments, ARD and ZDF typically covered:
- All Germany national team matches (guaranteed)
- Quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final
- A selection of high-profile group stage matches
For matches not on ARD or ZDF, MagentaTV is the only German-language option.
MagentaTV — all 104 matches
MagentaTV is Deutsche Telekom's streaming service and holds exclusive rights to all World Cup matches in Germany that aren't broadcast on ARD or ZDF. It's the only way to watch every game.
MagentaTV starts at around €10/month. It's available as a standalone streaming subscription — you don't need a Telekom internet contract. Apps are available for iOS, Android, Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Sony), Apple TV, Fire TV, and browser.
How to subscribe
- Go to magentatv.de and select a streaming plan
- Create a Telekom account if you don't have one
- Download the MagentaTV app or watch via browser
MagentaTV contracts are monthly — cancel after the tournament if you don't need it long-term.
Watching from outside Germany?
ARD Mediathek and ZDF Mediathek are geo-restricted to Germany. A VPN connected to a German server restores access to both — useful if you're traveling during the tournament or living abroad.
Alternatively, BBC iPlayer (UK) streams all 104 matches free in English with a VPN to a UK server — useful if you want full coverage without a MagentaTV subscription.
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Watching on specific devices
Smart TV
ARD Mediathek and ZDF apps come pre-installed on most German Smart TVs or are available in the TV's app store. MagentaTV has apps for Samsung, LG, and Sony Smart TVs.
Fire TV / Apple TV
ARD Mediathek, ZDF, and MagentaTV all have Fire TV and Apple TV apps. Search by name in the respective app stores.
Mobile
ARD Mediathek and ZDF apps are on iOS and Android, free. MagentaTV has a dedicated app on both platforms — sign in with your Telekom account.
Browser
ardmediathek.de and zdf.de both support live streaming in-browser. MagentaTV streams via browser at magentatv.de.