Watch the 2026 World Cup in Italy: All 104 Matches on DAZN, 35 Also Free on Rai

DAZN has secured exclusive Italian broadcast rights to the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering all 104 matches from the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. DAZN will broadcast all 104 matches, with 69 available exclusively on the platform and 35 also airing free on Rai. The agreement marks a watershed moment for live sports streaming in Italy, positioning the platform as the primary destination for comprehensive coverage of football's biggest event—though residents will still catch key matches on free-to-air television via Rai.

Why This Matters

• 69 matches exclusively on DAZN: No other broadcaster, including Rai, will carry these games live.

• Rai shows 35 matches free: Includes the opener, all Italy national team fixtures (if qualified), both semi-finals, and the final.

• Tournament dates: June 11–July 19, 2026: First World Cup with 48 nations, nearly doubling the fixture schedule.

• Subscription required for full access: DAZN Full plans start at €29.92/month (annual prepay) or €44.99/month (flexible).

The dual-rights arrangement means Italian viewers face a choice: pay for wall-to-wall coverage or rely on Rai's curated selection. For households without a DAZN subscription, the free package covers the tournament's marquee moments—but misses two-thirds of the action.

What the Deal Means for Italian Viewers

This split broadcast model reflects Italy's evolving sports media landscape, where premium content increasingly migrates behind paywalls while public broadcasters retain marquee fixtures for universal access. DAZN CEO Stefano Azzi described the acquisition as "a historic milestone" and "a new chapter in live streaming of major football," underscoring the platform's ambition to dominate premium sports rights in Italy.

For residents, the practical calculation is straightforward: a DAZN subscription unlocks every group-stage upset, every round-of-32 thriller, and every penalty shootout. The DAZN Full annual prepaid plan costs €359 upfront (€29.92/month equivalent, saving €180 versus monthly billing). The flexible monthly option runs €44.99 with no contract, allowing you to subscribe only for June and July—the tournament months—at a total cost of €89.98. Households seeking simultaneous streams on separate networks must opt for DAZN Family, priced at €599 annually (€49.92/month equivalent) or €69.99 monthly.

Rai's 35-match package, meanwhile, ensures free access to the moments that matter most to Italian audiences: the tournament opener on June 11, both semi-finals, and the final on July 19. Crucially, if Italy qualifies, every Azzurri fixture airs on Rai—at least 32 of these matches will broadcast on Rai 1, the network's flagship channel. Rai also holds non-exclusive radio rights for all 104 games, providing live audio commentary nationwide.

How Italy's Model Compares Internationally

Italy's hybrid free/pay television structure for the World Cup mirrors arrangements in other major markets, though specifics vary. In the United Kingdom, the BBC and ITV will split coverage evenly, guaranteeing all matches air free-to-air, including the final. Fox Sports (English-language) and Telemundo (Spanish-language, via NBCUniversal) hold U.S. rights; Bell Media (CTV, TSN, RDS) controls Canadian broadcasts; Televisa and TV Azteca cover Mexico.

The 2026 tournament represents the first World Cup featuring 48 nations—expanded from the traditional 32-team format—necessitating 104 fixtures instead of the previous 64. Time zones present a wrinkle for Italian viewers: matches in U.S. and Canadian venues will kick off during evening and night hours in Italy, with some fixtures starting after midnight locally. Mexico-based games offer slightly more favorable scheduling.

Economic and Strategic Stakes

Premium sports rights have become a cornerstone of streaming platform growth strategies in Italy, with football serving as the primary driver of subscriber acquisition and retention. DAZN already holds Serie A rights and substantial Champions League inventory, making the World Cup package a logical extension of its football-first positioning. The investment signals confidence that tournament exclusivity will convert free-trial users and pull subscribers from competitors.

For Rai, securing a World Cup highlight package serves dual objectives: fulfilling its public-service mandate to deliver major sporting events to all Italians, and capitalizing on the Azzurri's drawing power if the national team qualifies. Italy's absence from the 2018 World Cup devastated domestic viewership and advertising revenue; qualifying for 2026 would transform Rai's 35-match package into appointment television.

The fragmented rights landscape—DAZN for football, various platforms for tennis, basketball, and motorsports—reflects a broader shift in Italian media consumption. Younger demographics increasingly expect on-demand access and multi-device streaming, while older viewers still gravitate toward traditional broadcast schedules. Both DAZN and Rai are hedging by offering simultaneous linear and digital distribution.

Practical Viewing Options

For residents weighing their options, here's the math:

• DAZN Full flexible monthly (€44.99/month): Subscribe in June, renew for July, cancel in August. Total cost: €89.98 for the entire tournament.

• Rai free-to-air: Zero cost, 35 matches, includes all the fixtures casual fans prioritize.

• Combined approach: Use Rai's free coverage supplemented by DAZN for exclusive fixtures not broadcast on the public channel.

Households with multiple football enthusiasts or those already subscribing for Serie A will find the incremental value straightforward. Casual viewers may prefer Rai's curated selection, supplemented by highlights and analysis available across both platforms' digital properties.

DAZN has not announced whether it will offer a tournament-specific package or short-term promotional pricing, though such options could emerge closer to kickoff. The flexible monthly plan provides the most cost-effective option for tournament-only viewers.

The Streaming Infrastructure Question

Italy's broadband infrastructure varies significantly by region, raising practical questions about streaming reliability during high-traffic events. A World Cup final watched by millions simultaneously will test streaming platforms' content delivery networks more severely than regular season events.

Both broadcasters have pledged multi-platform strategies, meaning matches will stream via RaiPlay (Rai's digital platform) and DAZN's apps for smart TVs, iOS, Android, and web browsers. Rai's digital offering is free with no subscription required, though viewers must register an account. For residents in areas with slower broadband connections, Rai's free-to-air terrestrial, satellite, and cable distribution may prove the more reliable option.