How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in Italy: Complete TV & Streaming Guide

Italy, four-time World Cup champions, has a broadcast structure that guarantees significant free-to-air coverage. RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana), the national public broadcaster, holds free-to-air rights and will show a substantial selection of matches. Sky Italia holds premium pay-TV rights for comprehensive coverage. After missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Italy's return to the World Cup in 2026 will generate enormous viewer interest across the country.

RAI broadcasts a major selection of World Cup matches for free on Rai 1 and Rai Sport. RAI typically shows all Italy (Azzurri) matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final on free-to-air television. RaiPlay, the public broadcaster's streaming platform, provides free live and on-demand coverage of all RAI broadcasts. No registration or subscription is needed for RaiPlay. Italian law ensures that major sporting events of national significance are available on free-to-air television.

Sky Italia provides comprehensive World Cup coverage across its Sky Sport channels, available via satellite, Sky Glass, and NOW (Sky's streaming platform). NOW Sport subscription costs approximately EUR 14.99/month. Sky Q and Sky Glass customers with a Sport package receive full coverage automatically. Sky Sport will offer 4K coverage, multi-camera angles, and extensive studio analysis.

Italian fans abroad can use a VPN to access RaiPlay (free) or NOW (Sky's streaming) from outside Italy. RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, so a VPN connecting to an Italian server provides free access to RAI's World Cup coverage from anywhere in the world.

Italy is on CEST (UTC+2), matching Spain and Germany for kick-off times. Group stage matches will start at approximately 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 11:00 PM CEST. The 8:00 PM slot is ideal for Italian prime-time viewing. The final is expected around 9:00 PM CEST on July 19, 2026.