German TV adjusts schedules for 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, running from 11 June to 19 July in the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be shown on German free‑to‑air channels ARD and ZDF. The two broadcasters will air roughly 60 of the 104 matches, including every game of the German national team, the opening match, both semi‑finals and the final. MagentaTV remains the only paid service offering live streams of all 104 matches.

In response to the tournament, ZDF’s late‑night talk show Markus Lanz shifts its normal rhythm. An episode slated for Monday 22 June will start at 22:15 instead of the usual later slot, a change attributed to the World Cup schedule. The programme continues its regular format of discussion with guests on current political and societal topics, attracting over 1.5 million viewers each broadcast.