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Archived guide. The 2026 World Cup finished on 19 July 2026 — this page is kept as a record of how the tournament was broadcast in Germany. For current football, see how to watch football legally while travelling.
DE
PARTIAL FREE
Germany
PARTIAL FREE CONFIRMED

How the 2026 World Cup
was broadcast in Germany

60 free on ARD/ZDF; Magenta Sport carries all 104 in 4K paid

Where to watch in Germany

UPDATED 2026-05-05
ARD ↗ FREE
App: ARD / ZDF Mediathek
ZDF ↗ PAID
Magenta Sport PAID
Free matches
60
Free streaming
ARD / ZDF Mediathek
Coverage
PARTIAL FREE

Watching football away from Germany?

Domestic broadcasters geo-block their streams outside the country, so a subscription you pay for at home stops working the moment you travel. Our evergreen guide explains the legitimate way around it.

How to watch football legally while travelling →

Frequently asked questions

Was the 2026 World Cup free to watch in Germany?
Partly. 60 free on ARD/ZDF; Magenta Sport carries all 104 in 4K paid ARD carried the free coverage.
How did fans watch Germany's coverage from abroad?
Fans travelling abroad used a VPN set to a Germany server to reach their home broadcaster, since those streams are geo-blocked outside the country. The same approach still works for ongoing domestic league football — see our evergreen guide on watching football legally while travelling.
Which app streamed the World Cup in Germany?
ARD / ZDF Mediathek was the main free streaming option in Germany. Not all 104 matches were available free.

Other countries in Europe

United Kingdom France Spain Italy Netherlands All 78 nations →
📅 Full match schedule → 🔒 Best VPNs for the World Cup →