AzamTV, a Tanzania-based pay-TV broadcaster, has secured the rights to broadcast the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup men's flagship tournament in eight East African markets. This move is set to enhance the sports viewing experience for fans across these regions.
The new agreement will allow AzamTV to air all 104 games live across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. The coverage will include ancillary programming featuring expert analysis throughout the tournament.
This year’s edition of the World Cup is being jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. It will feature an expanded field of 48 national teams.
Expanding FIFA's broadcast partnerships in Africa
The deal with AzamTV adds to FIFA’s official broadcast partner slate in Africa. Last June saw Togo-based satellite TV network New World TV secure sub-Saharan rights for both the men's 2026 World Cup and women’s 2027 edition.New World TV’s rights cover a vast expanse of territories including Angola, Cameroon Congo DR Ivory Coast Ghana Guinea Kenya Mali Nigeria Rwanda Senegal South Africa Uganda and Zimbabwe. In addition to this expansion into traditional broadcasting networks last month saw African sports media platform SportyTV secure pay-TV rights for South Africa with plans to air all matches on its OTT platform and mobile app.
Free-to-air rights for this year's world cup are held by public-service broadcaster SABC in South Africa after striking a sublicense deal with New World TV last December. Elsewhere in Africa notably Ghana has acquired broadcast rights which it plans on airing live across selected media platforms within its borders. This acquisition was funded partly through a GHS5 million ($442789) donation from financial institution GCB Bank.
The country's Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams announced the rights agreement during the donation ceremony stating that through government support and fundraising efforts they have been able to secure broadcast rights.
Supporting Ghana’s ‘Black Stars’ national team
The GCB Bank's generous contribution is part of a wider national funding drive to support Ghana’s ‘Black Stars’ national team as it prepares for its fifth appearance at a FIFA World Cup. The team has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.
Corporate organizations and stakeholders are being urged to contribute towards this cause. The Black Stars will kick off their campaign against Panama in Toronto, Canada on June 17 before playing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
The securing of broadcasting rights by AzamTV is set to provide an enhanced viewing experience for soccer fans across East Africa while also contributing towards supporting local teams like Ghana's 'Black Stars'.
