As was the case for the 2024 European Championship: Telekom secures TV rights for the 2026 World Cup

Telekom declined to comment when contacted by dpa. A spokesperson referred to the announced press conference on Friday in Berlin, where the deal with the world governing body FIFA could possibly be announced. Next year's World Cup tournament will feature 104 matches, with 48 teams competing – more than ever before.

However, matches of the German national team must be freely available anyway. This is regulated by the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty. The opening match, all matches of the German national team, the semifinals, and the final must always be freely available. These matches are considered events of "significant social importance."