Kuala Lumpur (May 13) - Malaysian football fans will be able to watch the entire FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament through a collaboration involving Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Unifi TV and several major telecommunications companies, in what is being described as one of the country’s largest sports broadcasting initiatives in recent years.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all 104 matches from the expanded FIFA World Cup tournament will be made available to viewers across multiple platforms, ensuring broader public access to football’s biggest global event.
Under the arrangement, Unifi TV will provide live coverage of all matches, while RTM will broadcast the majority of games either live or through delayed telecasts. Matches will also be accessible through RTM Klik, MyTV and Unifi TV’s digital platforms.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 next year, will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will also mark the first World Cup featuring 48 national teams, expanding the tournament from 64 to 104 matches.
Fahmi said the initiative was made possible through strategic cooperation involving RTM, Unifi, CelcomDigi and U Mobile, with the aim of ensuring Malaysians can enjoy comprehensive tournament coverage regardless of location.
He added that the government wants the tournament to be accessible through both traditional television broadcasts and digital streaming services, allowing viewers greater flexibility in how they follow the competition.
The announcement has attracted significant attention among local football supporters, particularly as it marks a major shift in Malaysia’s sports broadcasting landscape. For many years, premium football tournaments were largely associated with subscription-based television services, making the move towards wider public access a notable development.
The government has also encouraged Malaysians to download the RTM Klik application ahead of the tournament, as the platform is expected to become one of the key channels for free viewing access.
For Sabahans, the expanded distribution network could prove especially beneficial. Access to major sporting events has sometimes been affected by broadcasting limitations and connectivity challenges in certain areas. The inclusion of free-to-air television, streaming services and telecommunications partnerships is expected to improve accessibility for viewers across both urban centres and rural communities.
The collaboration also reflects growing efforts by broadcasters to combine traditional television with digital platforms as viewing habits continue shifting towards online and mobile consumption.
With the World Cup still more than a year away, organisers and broadcasters are expected to roll out additional promotional campaigns, viewing initiatives and sponsorship partnerships as anticipation builds for the tournament.
The FIFA World Cup remains the most-watched sporting event globally, and the upcoming edition is expected to set new audience records due to its expanded format and multi-country hosting arrangement.