Fifa World Cup 2026: All 104 matches to be aired on RTM and Unifi TV

Malaysian football fans will get to watch every second of the Fifa World Cup 2026 for free, after Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that all 104 matches will be aired on RTM.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian football fans will have free access to every second of the Fifa World Cup 2026, with Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil (image) confirming that all 104 matches will be aired on RTM.

The announcement, made during a weekly press briefing this afternoon, secures comprehensive coverage for what will be the largest World Cup in history. The tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is set to feature an expanded roster of 48 teams.

“I am pleased to announce that all 104 matches will be aired on RTM’s channels and Unifi TV,” Fahmi said.

“RTM and Unifi TV, together with their sponsoring partners CelcomDigi and U Mobile, will ensure a high-quality broadcast of the tournament.”

In addition to live television coverage, video-on-demand services will be available via the RTMKlik and Unifi TV 2.0 digital platforms.

On May 6, Fahmi confirmed both Unifi TV and RTM have secured the broadcasting rights for the tournament.

The broadcasting update follows a report by the New Straits Times this afternoon that RTM will cease its 30-year partnership with the satellite provider Astro. From 1 July, RTM channels will no longer be available on the platform after both parties reportedly failed to reach a pricing agreement.

RTM has been the primary free-to-air broadcaster in Malaysia for the world’s biggest football competition since the 1974 World Cup in West Germany. However, the broadcaster has faced challenges in the past; notably in 1982, when RTM were short of funds and “people power” ultimately ensured the matches reached Malaysian screens.

On June 14, 1982, The Malay Mail reader Peter Teo—writing under the pseudonym ‘Soccer Fanatic’—suggested to the now-defunct newspaper that fans would not mind donating RM1 each to help fund the telecasts.

The idea took the nation by storm. Within days, the “People’s Live Telecast Fund” was launched on June 19. Following a wave of public donations, RTM was able to broadcast four World Cup matches live, with enough surplus funds to also air the Fifa World All-Star charity match on Aug 7 that year.