Is the 2026 World Cup free to watch in Ireland?

Yes. RTÉ has the rights to all 104 matches and is showing them free-to-air. You can watch 92 games on RTÉ2 on TV and all 104 (including 12 Player exclusives) on the free RTÉ Player. There is no subscription cost beyond your existing TV/broadband setup.

How do I watch the matches that aren't on RTÉ2?

12 of the 104 matches are exclusive to RTÉ Player and are not shown on the RTÉ2 TV channel. Watch them by signing into the free RTÉ Player app or rte.ie/player on a phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, Apple TV or games console - then cast or use the TV app to see them on a big screen.

Can I watch the World Cup on RTÉ Player while abroad?

Generally no. RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to the Republic of Ireland and requires an Irish IP address, so it normally will not stream when you are outside Ireland. If you're travelling, you'll need to watch via a local rights-holder in the country you're in.

Will any matches be in 4K on RTÉ?

RTÉ has not announced any confirmed 4K (UHD) or HDR coverage of the 2026 World Cup, so plan for standard high-definition broadcasts on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Streaming & TV Guide

How to Watch the 2026 World Cup in Ireland

Every confirmed way to watch all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches from Ireland — official TV channels, live streams, free options and how to set each one up.

Watch for free

Everything is free in Ireland. RTÉ holds the rights to all 104 matches and shows them free-to-air - there is no paid tier needed.
Watch on TV: RTÉ2 carries 92 of the 104 games (including the final) free via Saorview, Sky, Virgin Media TV or any Irish set-top box - no account, no payment.
Watch online: RTÉ Player streams all 104 games (including the 12 Player exclusives) for free with just a free RTÉ account and an Irish internet connection.
Listen for free: RTÉ Radio 1 carries tournament coverage and updates on FM, DAB and online.

Broadcasters & streaming

RTÉ2 (television)

FreeFree-to-air. No subscription; funded by the Irish TV licence. No cost beyond your existing aerial/cable/satellite or Saorview box.

Coverage: The bulk of the tournament - 92 of the 104 matches are carried live on RTÉ TV (RTÉ2), including the opening match, knockouts, semi-finals and the final on Sunday 19 July. The remaining 12 matches are RTÉ Player exclusives.
Languages: English
Devices: Smart TV, Saorview box, Sky, Virgin Media TV, Cable/satellite set-top box

How to set up & watch

1Make sure you can receive RTÉ2 - via Saorview (free-to-air aerial), Sky, Virgin Media TV, or any Irish cable/satellite box. No sign-up or payment is needed beyond having a working TV service.
2On a Saorview box, retune your channels if RTÉ2 is missing (Menu > Setup > Channel/Auto Tune).
3Check the RTÉ Guide or rte.ie/tv listings for the kick-off time of the match you want - times are shown in Irish time, so US/Mexico kick-offs often fall in the afternoon or evening.
4Tune to RTÉ2 a few minutes before kick-off to catch the pre-match build-up with the RTÉ presenting team.
5For Player-only fixtures (12 of the 104), switch to the RTÉ Player app or website instead - those games are not on the TV channel.

Get RTÉ2 (television) →

RTÉ Player (streaming)

FreeFree. Requires a free RTÉ account and an Irish IP address. No subscription fee.

Coverage: All 104 matches stream live on RTÉ Player - the 92 that are also on RTÉ2 plus 12 matches that are exclusive to the Player. This is the only way to watch every single game.
Languages: English
Devices: iOS, Android, Web browser, Smart TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Game console

How to set up & watch

1Go to rte.ie/player or download the RTÉ Player app from the App Store, Google Play, or your smart TV / Apple TV / Android TV app store.
2Create a free RTÉ account (email and password) and sign in - registration is free and takes a minute.
3Make sure you are connected to the internet on an Irish broadband or mobile connection (RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to the Republic of Ireland, so you need an Irish IP address).
4Open the Sport section or search for 'World Cup' to find the live match; live games appear at kick-off time and many are available to replay afterwards.
5Tap the match to start streaming. To watch on a big screen, cast from the phone/tablet app via Chromecast or AirPlay, or use the built-in RTÉ Player app on your smart TV, Apple TV or games console.

Get RTÉ Player (streaming) →

RTÉ Radio 1 (radio)

FreeFree. Over-the-air FM/DAB radio and free online streaming.

Coverage: Tournament news, daily updates and analysis across Inside Sport, Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport throughout the competition. (Audio coverage/updates rather than a guaranteed full commentary of every match.)
Languages: English
Devices: FM radio, DAB radio, Web browser, RTÉ Radio Player app (iOS, Android), Smart speaker

How to set up & watch

1Tune an FM or DAB radio to RTÉ Radio 1, or open rte.ie/radio in a browser.
2Alternatively install the free RTÉ Radio Player app on iOS or Android, or ask a smart speaker to 'play RTÉ Radio 1'.
3Listen out for Inside Sport, Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport for World Cup updates and analysis from North America.
4No account or payment is required for live radio.

Get RTÉ Radio 1 (radio) →

Good to know

RTÉ is the confirmed sole free-to-air rights-holder for the 2026 World Cup in the Republic of Ireland, carrying all 104 matches (92 on RTÉ2 TV + RTÉ Player, and 12 exclusive to RTÉ Player). This makes Ireland one of the few countries with complete free coverage. Virgin Media held some European qualifier rights but is NOT a confirmed tournament broadcaster for 2026 - so it is omitted here. Geo-restriction: RTÉ Player requires an Irish IP address, so it will not work from abroad without restriction; travelling fans should rely on local broadcasters or a legitimate means of access. Blackouts: none expected for domestic viewers since RTÉ shows every match. 4K/HDR: RTÉ has not announced any confirmed 4K/UHD or HDR coverage of the World Cup, so assume standard HD only. Listed-event status under EU/Irish broadcasting rules guarantees marquee matches (opening game, semi-finals, final) stay free-to-air. Match times are shown in Irish time; because games are in the USA, Canada and Mexico, many kick off in the Irish afternoon, evening or late night. Commentary and analysis are in English.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2026 World Cup free to watch in Ireland?: Yes. RTÉ has the rights to all 104 matches and is showing them free-to-air. You can watch 92 games on RTÉ2 on TV and all 104 (including 12 Player exclusives) on the free RTÉ Player. There is no subscription cost beyond your existing TV/broadband setup.
How do I watch the matches that aren't on RTÉ2?: 12 of the 104 matches are exclusive to RTÉ Player and are not shown on the RTÉ2 TV channel. Watch them by signing into the free RTÉ Player app or rte.ie/player on a phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, Apple TV or games console - then cast or use the TV app to see them on a big screen.
Can I watch the World Cup on RTÉ Player while abroad?: Generally no. RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to the Republic of Ireland and requires an Irish IP address, so it normally will not stream when you are outside Ireland. If you're travelling, you'll need to watch via a local rights-holder in the country you're in.
Will any matches be in 4K on RTÉ?: RTÉ has not announced any confirmed 4K (UHD) or HDR coverage of the 2026 World Cup, so plan for standard high-definition broadcasts on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

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