How to watch the World Cup 2026 in Ireland
In Ireland, the 2026 World Cup is carried by 2 official broadcasters — RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player — with no confirmed free-to-air option for the full tournament. Coverage is in English.
See the full channel list for Ireland2 official broadcasters→Is the World Cup 2026 free to watch in Ireland?
In Ireland there’s no confirmed free-to-air channel showing the full tournament. The 2026 World Cup is carried by RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player, which require a subscription or sign-in.
You can still sometimes watch select matches free via a listed international broadcaster, or pick the cheapest official option from the channel list — and avoid pirate “free stream” sites, which are illegal and unsafe.
Official World Cup 2026 broadcasters in Ireland
The official rights-holders in Ireland are RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player. Coverage is available in English.
Every broadcaster listed here comes from FIFA’s official media-rights list — kickoff26 never links to restreams or pirate sites.
How to watch in Ireland
The listed channels are available through your usual TV provider — an aerial, cable or satellite box — and some offer companion apps for streaming on a phone or smart TV.
Whichever you pick, stick to the official broadcasters above. They’re higher quality, more reliable and safe — unlike pirate restreams, which break mid-match and carry malware.
Watch every match in your timezone
All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are shown by broadcasters in Ireland, with kick-offs spread across three time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
To avoid missing a game, check every kick-off converted to your local time on the schedule, and follow live scores as the matches play out.
Watching in Ireland: FAQ
Can I watch the World Cup 2026 for free in Ireland?
There’s no confirmed free-to-air option for the full tournament in Ireland. Matches are carried by RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player, which require a subscription.
Who has the World Cup 2026 broadcast rights in Ireland?
RTÉ 2 and RTÉ Player are the official rights-holders for the 2026 World Cup in Ireland, per FIFA’s official media-rights list.
What language is the World Cup broadcast in Ireland?
Coverage in Ireland is available in English.