The FIFA World Cup was first broadcast on television in 1954 and is now the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world, exceeding even the Olympic Games.^[1] 715.2 million individuals watched the final match of the 2006 tournament (representing 11 percent of the entire population of the planet). The 2006 World Cup draw, which decided the distribution of teams into groups, was watched by 300 million viewers.^[2]

Asia

Bangladesh

• 2014: Sony Pictures Networks
• 1974–2018: BTV
• 1974–2018: Maasranga Television

Brunei

• 2006–present: Astro (all matches)
• 1998 and 2006: NTV7 (all matches)
• 1990–2002: TV3 (all matches)
• 1978–now: Radio Televisyen Brunei RTB Perdana and RTB Aneka

Cambodia

• 2018–present: CBS
• 2006–2014: CTN
• 1986–2002: TVK
• 1978-1982: none due to Khmer Rouge
• 1974: TVREK
• 1970: TVRK

China PR

• 1978–: CCTV (all matches in HD, full matches live on CCTV-1, CCTV-5 and CCTV-5+)

East Timor

• 2018: ETO Telco
• 2006–2014: RTTL

Hong Kong

• 2018: ViuTV (nineteen matches in live telecast), Now TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 2014: TVB (all matches in live telecast) (22 matches in free-to-air terrestrial television; all matches in pay television)
• 2010: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
• 2006: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
• 2002: ATV (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals), TVB (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Cable TV Hong Kong (all matches in live telecast)
• 1990–1998: ATV and TVB (all matches in live telecast)
• 1982–1986: TVB (all matches in live telecast)
• 1974–1978: TVB and RTV (selected matches in live telecast)
• 1970: TVB (selected matches)

India

• 2022: Viacom18
• 2014–2018: Sony Pictures Sports Networks India
• 1994–2010: ESPN Asia, Star Sports
• 1986–present: DD Sports (Selected Matches Only)

Indonesia

• 2022: RCTI, MNCTV and iNews (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), MNC Vision, and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2018: Trans TV (56-matches), Trans7 (16-matches), Transvision, Klix TV and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2014–present: K-Vision (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2014: antv, tvOne (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), Domikado, Genflix and Indihome (both pay broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2010–present: Telkomsel (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2010 and 2018: MNC Vision (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 2010: RCTI (46-matches) and Global TV (20-matches) (all matches in live telecast)
• 2006: SCTV (64 matches includes 56 live telecast and 8 taped group stage matches)
• 2002: RCTI (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1998: TVRI (15-matches), RCTI (15-matches), SCTV (15-matches), TPI (14-matches), ANteve (15-matches) and Indosiar (15-matches) (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1994: TVRI (16-matches), TPI (16-matches), RCTI (12-matches) and SCTV (8-matches) (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1990: TVRI (10-matches) and RCTI (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1986: TVRI (recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on semifinal and final)^[3]
• 1982: TVRI (colour, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on opening match)^[3]
• 1978: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)^[3]
• 1974: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)^[3]
• 1970: TVRI (black-and-white, recorded broadcast, selected delayed telecast on final)^[3]

Iran

• 2014–present: beIN Sports
• 2010: Al-Jazeera Sport
• 2002–2006: ART Sport
• 1962–present: IRIB 3

Japan

• 2014-present: Japan Consortium: NHK General TV, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo
• 2002-2010: Japan Consortium: NHK General TV, Fuji Television, Nippon Television, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, TV Asahi, TV Tokyo; SKY PerfecTV!
• 1978-1998: NHK General TV
• 1970-1974: TV Tokyo

Kyrgyzstan

• 2014: NTS
• 1994–2010, 2018–present: KTRK

Laos

• 2014: TVLAO
• 1986–2010: LNTV

Macau

• 1986–present: TDM

Malaysia

• 2006–present: Astro (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1998: NTV7 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1986–1998: TV3 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively)
• 1982–present: RTM TV1 and TV2 (all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively for 1982–2002, 47 matches for 2006,^[4] 35 matches for 2010 and 2014,^[5][6] and 41 matches for 2018^[7])
• 1970–1978: RTM Network One and Network Two Black and White (all matches)
• 1966: Television Malaysia Black and White (all matches)

Maldives

• 2014–present: Sony Pictures Networks
• 1982–2014: TVM

Myanmar

• 2014–present: Skynet Sports (ALL MATCHES)
• 1982–present: MRTV (all matches for 1982–2010, 16 matches for 2014 and 2018^[8])

Nepal

• 2018: Sony, Nepal Television, Kantipur Television, Action Sports

Pakistan

• 2018: PTV Sports and Ten Sports[ONLY 2018 TOURNAMENT]

Philippines

• 2022–present: TAP Sports (all matches)
• 2014–2018: ABS-CBN Sports and Action (all matches)
• 2010–2014: Balls (all matches)
• 2010: Studio 23 (all matches)
• 2006: RPN

Singapore

• 2022: Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U and CNA (both channels broadcast all matches in live telecast and highest full matches respectively), meWATCH (all matches in live streaming) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 2018: Sports on Okto (nine matches includes six group stage, semi-finals and finals), Toggle Sports (all matches in live streaming) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 2014: Sports on Okto (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 2010: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singtel TV/StarHub TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 2006: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and StarHub Cable Vision (all matches in live telecast)
• 2002: Channel 5 (four matches includes opening matches, semi-finals and finals) and Singapore Cable Vision (all matches in live telecast)
• 1998: Premiere 12 (all matches)
• 1990–1994: Channel 12 (all matches)
• 1986: Channel 5 and Channel 12 (all matches)
• 1982: Channel 8 (opening match, delayed) and Channel 5 (semifinal and final, live)
• 1978: Channel 5 (all matches)
• 1974 Final: Channel 5 Colour
• 1966–1974: Channel 5 Black and White (all matches)

Sri Lanka

• 2014–present: Sony Pictures Networks
• 1986–present: SLRC

South Korea

• 2006, 2014–present: MBC (all matches)
• 1994–2006, 2014–present: KBS (all matches)
• 1994–present: SBS (all matches)

Taiwan

• 2010–2018: ELTA TV [zh]^[9]
• 2002–2014: Era Television

Tajikistan

• 2018–present: Varzish TV and Futbol TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 1994–2014: TVT

Thailand

• 2018: Channel 5 HD, Amarin TV, True4U and True Sport (all matches in live telecast)
• 2010–2014: RS Public Company Limited (Terrestrial: Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Modernine TV, NBT (Channel 11); Satellite: RS Sunbox) (all matches in live telecast)
• 2002–2006: Dhospaak Communication Agency Company Limited; subsidiary company of Thai Beverages PCL. (Analog Terrestrial: Channel 3, Channel 5, Channel 7, Modernine TV (Channel 9), Channel 11) (all matches in live telecast)
• 1970–1998: Television Pool of Thailand (Analog Terrestrial Black and White Television: Channel 4, Channel 7; Colour: Channel 3, Channel 5 (7 in BWTV), Channel 7, Channel 9 (4 in BWTV)) (all matches in live telecast)

Uzbekistan

• 2018: UzReport TV and Futbol TV (all matches in live telecast)
• 1994–2014: NTRCU (all matches in live telecast)

Vietnam

• 1982–present: VTV
• 1994–2010 and 2018: HTV
• 2006–2010: VTC
• 1974: THVN9 (final only)

Australia

• 2022: SBS
• 2018: SBS and Optus Sport
• 2014: SBS
• 2010: SBS and ESPN
• 2006: SBS
• 2002: SBS (48 matches) and Nine Network (16 matches)
• 1990-1998: SBS
• 1982-1986: ABC and SBS^[10]
• 1978: ABC (13 matches) and Seven Network (3 matches)^[11]
• 1974: ABC and Seven Network^[12]
• 1970: ABC and Seven Network

Europe

Albania

• 2006–2014: Digitalb
• 1962–2002 and 2010–present: RTSH

Andorra

• (see France and Spain)

Armenia

• 1994–present: Armenia 1

Austria

• 1958–present: ORF

Azerbaijan

• 2014–present: İTV
• 2002–2010: Lider TV
• 1994–1998, 2014–present: AzTV

Belarus

• 1994–present: BTRC

Belgium

• 1954–present: RTBF and VRT

Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 2002–present: BHRT
• 1998: BHT
• 1994: RTV BiH

Bulgaria

• 1962–present: BNT

Croatia

• 1994–present: HRT pol

Cyprus

• 1962–present: CyBC

Czech Republic

• 1994–present: ČT

Czechoslovakia

• 1954–1990: ČST

Denmark

• 2002–present: TV 2
• 1954–present: DR

East Germany

• 1974–1986: DDR-FS
• 1954–1970, 1990: DFF

Estonia

• 1994–present: ETV

Finland

• 1962–present: Yle
• 1994–1998: MTV3

France

• 2014–present: beIN Sports
• 2002–2006: Eurosport France
• 2006: M6
• 1994–1998, 2010: France Télévisions
• 1998, 2006–2010: Canal+
• 1978–1990: FR3
• 1978–1990: Antenne 2
• 1978–present: TF1
• 1966–1974: ORTF
• 1954–1962: RTF

Georgia

• 1994–present: GPB

Germany

• 2014–present: Sky Sport
• 2010: RTL
• 2002–2010: Premiere/Sky
• 1994–present: ARD and ZDF

Greece

• 2022: ANT1
• 2018: ERT
• 2014: NERIT
• 1966–2010: ERT

Hungary

• 2006: RTL Klub
• 1958–2002 and 2010–present: MTV

Iceland

• 2010: Stöð 2 Sport
• 2006: Sýn
• 1970–2002 and 2010–present: RÚV

Ireland

• 1962–present: RTÉ

Italy

• 2022: RAI
• 2018: Mediaset
• 2006–2014: Sky Sport
• 1954–2014: RAI

Kosovo

• 2010–present: Radio Televizioni i Kosovës

Latvia

• 1994–present: LTV

Liechtenstein

• (see Switzerland)

Lithuania

• 1994–1998, 2006–present: LRT
• 2002: TV4
• 2010: LRT LNK

Luxembourg

• (see Belgium)

Macedonia

• 1994–present: MRT

Malta

• 2014–present: PBS
• 2010: PBS (46 matches), Melita Sports (all matches)
• 2006: Melita Sports

Moldova

• 1994–present: TRM

Montenegro

• 2010–present: RTCG
• 2006: TV In

Netherlands

• 1966: NTS
• 1970–present: NOS

Norway

• 1954–present: NRK
• 2002–present: TV 2

Poland

• 2010–present: TVP (all 64 matches)
• 2002–2006: TVP (12 matches in 2002, 32 matches in 2006) and Polsat Sport (all 64 matches)
• 1974–1998: TVP
• 1970: TP (final only, on a three-day tape-delay)
• 1966: TP

Portugal

• 2018: SIC (8 Matches Live), RTP (28 Matches Live), Sport TV (64 Matches Live), PortugalTV (56 Matches Live and 8 Delayed - Internet Only)
• 2002–present: Sport TV / PortugalTV
• 1966–present: RTP
• 2006: SIC (15 Matches Live), RTP (Highlights), Sport TV (All Matches Live and Highlights) and Portugal TV (56 Matches Live, 8 Matches Delayed - Internet Only)

Romania

• 1958–present: TVR

Russia

• 2018: Channel One, VGTRK, Match TV
• 2014: Channel One, All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
• 2010: Channel One (26 matches), All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (38 matches)
• 1998–2006: Channel One, All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company
• 1994: Channel One Ostankino, Russia-1

SFR Yugoslavia

• 1958–1990: JRT

San Marino

• (see Italy)

Serbia

• 1994–present: RTS

Slovakia

• 2014–present: RTVS
• 1994–2010: STV

Slovenia

• 1994–present: RTVSLO

Spain

• 2018: Telecinco, Cuatro and Be Mad TV
• 2014: Telecinco, Cuatro and Gol Televisión
• 2010: Telecinco, Cuatro and Digital+
• 2006: laSexta, Cuatro and Digital+
• 2002: Antena 3 and Vía Digital
• 1962–1998: TVE

Soviet Union

• 1958–1990: Soviet Central Television

Sweden

• 2006–present: TV4
• 1982–present: SVT
• 1958–1978: SRTV

Switzerland

• 1954–present: SRG SSR

Turkey

• 2006: Kanal 1
• 1970–2002, 2010–present: TRT

Ukraine

• 2006: Inter, ICTV
• 1994–2002, 2010–present: NTU

United Kingdom

Over 100 nations have provided wall-to-wall coverage since the communications satellite launchings allowed for worldwide coverage beginning in 1966. European coverage of the World Cup has been extensive since 1954 (though with the World Cup held in Chile in 1962, much of the Euro coverage that year was tape-delayed).

Broadcasts of the qualification for the World Cup Finals for England is currently held by ITV (terrestrial, home and away matches) with Sky holding rights for home and away matches for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These were previously held by the BBC but BBC have highlights of each home nation in their respective nation so BBC Scotland show Scotland highlights, BBC Wales show Wales highlights and BBC Northern Ireland show NI highlights.

However, coverage of the World Cup Finals is on a government mandated 'protected' list meaning it must be shown on free-to-air terrestrial television (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five) as opposed to satellite or cable television.^[13] Although only one broadcaster is required, the two biggest terrestrial operators, the BBC and ITV, have always made a joint bid for coverage with broadcast of the Home Nations matches (particularly England) alternating between the broadcasters up to the later stages of the tournament. This is believed to prevent an extremely expensive bidding war for coverage between the two networks, with the current agreement running until the 2022 tournament.

In addition, when matches involved Scotland or Northern Ireland the BBC or ITV franchise holder in that area (Scottish TV, Grampian, Border or Ulster / UTV) would provide their own commentary team and presenters for those games. (Wales has not qualified since 1958, when television broadcasting was more limited.^[14])

Notes

• In the 2006 World Cup, ITV showed two of England's three group games, with the BBC showing one. However, the BBC would then have shown England through to the final, had they made it; this would have been on an exclusive basis for the round of 16 and the quarter finals (the latter being the round where England were actually eliminated), with coverage of the semi-final and final being shared with ITV.^[15] The same method was used for the 2010 World Cup, where ITV showed the first two England games, and the BBC would have shown the next two, with England's semi final shared on both channels and the Final as well, but with England eliminated in the second round, the BBC instead had the first choice of the two quarter finals, and ITV the choice of a semi final and the third place match, with both channels showing the Final.
• For the 2014 World Cup the BBC showed England's first match against Italy with ITV showing the other 2 matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica. BBC had first choice for the 2nd round while ITV had first choice quarter final so if England got to the Quarters, which they didn't, the match would have been exclusively live on ITV.
• For the 2018 World Cup the BBC showed England's first 2 games against Tunisia and Panama respectively with ITV showing the one remaining group stage match against Belgium. The BBC carried the quarterfinal with Sweden. ITV aired the semi-final against Croatia and the third-place play-off with Belgium.
• ITV have had several sponsors over the years. For the 1990 World Cup, in one of the first sponsorship deals in British TV history, coverage was sponsored by National Power. Coverage of the 1994 World Cup was sponsored by electronics company Panasonic, whilst car company Vauxhall sponsored the 1998 World Cup. This was the first year actual idents were shown, as opposed to just the company logo, and featured comical exchanges between players dubbed over in suitable accents. Travelex sponsored their coverage of the 2002 World Cup, and would also go on to sponsor their coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. For the 2006 World Cup, there were two sponsors for the first time – Budweiser and EDF Energy. The latter would, like Travelex, go on to sponsor the 2007 Rugby World Cup along with Peugeot. In 2010, Hyundai and Lucozade Sport were the sponsors, with Hyundai having a Car World Cup tournament, which was eventually won by Spain. The former's stings were narrated by Peter Brackley. The 2014 World Cup had three sponsors for the first time, Sony, Carling and Santander. Carling would have a brief spell of sponsoring England matches on ITV, replacing Continental Tyres before being replaced by Screwfix. 2018 also had three, with Budweiser, adopting their international campaign, Volkswagen, with a series of idents about a confident man getting 'England Champions 2018' tattooed onto him, and Screwfix, sponsors of England's Qualifiers and Friendlies, with puns on famous England players performed by customers.

West Germany

• 1966–1990: ZDF
• 1954–1986: DF

Africa

Middle East and North Africa

• 2014–present: beIN Sports
• 2010: Al-Jazeera Sport
• 2002–2006: ART Sport

Whole of Africa

• 2018: Kwesé Sports

Algeria

• 2014–present: EPTV
• 1986–1998: ENTV
• 1966–1982: RTA

Burundi

• 1986–present: RTNB

Egypt

• 1974–2002: ERTU
• 2014–present: beIN Sports

Ghana

• 1974–present: GTV
• 2018: Startimes

Libya

• 1970–1998: LJBC

Mali

• 1986–present: ORTM

Morocco

• 1962–1998: SNRT
• 1958: RTM

Namibia

• 1994–present: NBC

Niger

• 1970–present: ORTN

Senegal

• 1966–present: RTS1

South Africa

• 2002–present: SuperSport
• 2002: e.tv
• 1978–1998 and 2006–present: SABC

Togo

• 1974–present: TVT

Tunisia

• 1990–1998: ERTT
• 1970–1986: RTT

North America

Country	Language	Editions	Broadcasters
Canada	English French	1954	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1958	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1962	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1966	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1970	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1974	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1978	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1982	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1986	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada
		1990	CBC Television/Télévision de Radio-Canada, TSN
		1994	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, TSN
		1998	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, TSN
		2002	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, CTV, TSN
		2006	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, CTV, TSN
		2010	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, TSN
		2014	CBC Television/Radio-Canada Télévision, Sportsnet, TSN
		2018	CTV, TSN/RDS
		2022	CTV, TSN/RDS
		2026	CTV, TSN/RDS
Mexico	Spanish	1958	TSM XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5
		1962	TSM XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5
		1966	TSM XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5
		1970	TSM XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5 , TIM XHTM-TV Canal 8
		1974	Televisa XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XHTM-TV Canal 8 , TRM Canal 13
		1978	Televisa XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XHTM-TV Canal 8 , TRM Canal 13
		1982	Televisa XEW-TV Canal 2, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XHTM-TV Canal 8 , TRM Canal 13
		1986	Televisa El Canal de las Estrellas, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XEQ-TV Canal 9 , Imevisión Red Nacional 13, Red Nacional 7
		1990	Televisa El Canal de las Estrellas, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XEQ-TV Canal 9 , Imevisión Red Nacional 13, Red Nacional 7
		1994	Televisa El Canal de las Estrellas, XHGC-TV Canal 5, XEQ-TV Canal 9 , TV Azteca Canal Trece, TV 7
		1998	Televisa El Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, XEQ-TV Canal 9 , TV Azteca TV 13, El 7 de Azteca , CNI CNI Canal 40 , DirecTV
		2002	Televisa El Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, Galavisión , TV Azteca Azteca Trece, Azteca Siete , CNI CNI Canal 40 , DirecTV
		2006	Televisa Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, Galavisión , TV Azteca Azteca Trece, Azteca Siete, Proyecto 40 , Sky
		2010	Televisa Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, Galavisión, TDN , TV Azteca Azteca Trece, Azteca Siete, Proyecto 40 , Sky
		2014	Televisa Canal de las Estrellas, Canal 5, Gala TV, TDN , TV Azteca Azteca Trece, Azteca Siete, Proyecto 40 , Sky
		2018	Televisa Las Estrellas, Canal 5*, GalaTV, TDN, Univision TDN , TV Azteca Azteca Uno, Azteca Siete, ADN 40 , Grupo Imagen Imagen Televisión, Excélsior TV , Sky
		2022	Televisa Las Estrellas, Canal 5*, NU9VE, TUDN , TV Azteca Azteca Uno, Azteca Siete, ADN 40 , Grupo Imagen Imagen Televisión, Excélsior TV , Sky
		2026	Televisa Las Estrellas, Canal 5*, NU9VE, TUDN , TV Azteca Azteca Uno, Azteca Siete, ADN 40 , Grupo Imagen Imagen Televisión, Excélsior TV , Sky
United States	English Spanish	1966	NBC
		1970	ABC, SIN
		1974	CBS, SIN
		1978	SIN
		1982	ABC, ESPN, PBS, SIN
		1986	NBC, ESPN, SIN
		1990	TNT, Univision, Galavisión
		1994	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, Galavisión
		1998	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, Galavisión
		2002	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, TeleFutura, Galavisión
		2006	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, TeleFutura, Galavisión
		2010	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, TeleFutura, Galavisión
		2014	ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Univision, UniMás, Galavisión, Univision Deportes
		2018	Fox, FS1, Telemundo, Universo
		2022	Fox, FS1, Telemundo, Universo
		2026	Fox, FS1, Telemundo, Universo

United States

English-language television

Finals

Notes

• The first American coverage of the World Cup consisted only of a previously filmed telecast of the 1966 Final on NBC. The Final was aired before their coverage of the Saturday Major League Baseball Game of the Week. NBC used the black & white BBC feed and aired it on a two-hour film delay. This was the first time soccer had been shown in the United States as a stand-alone broadcast. Previously, ABC's Wide World of Sports had shown England's Football Association Cup on as long as a two-week delay.
• 1970's coverage was usually week-old filmed highlights shown on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
• 1974's coverage also contained week-old filmed highlights on CBS Sports Spectacular.
• 1978 had no English language coverage on American television at all.

Other rounds

Notes

• In 1982, PBS and ESPN provided the first thorough American television coverage of the FIFA World Cup. ABC aired the first live telecast of the final. ABC aired commercials during the live action. Meanwhile, PBS aired same day highlights of the top game of the day.
• 1986 marked the first time that the World Cup had extensive live cable and network television coverage in the United States. ESPN carried most of the weekday matches while NBC did weekend games. To be more specific, NBC aired seven matches, including the "Hand of God" quarterfinal, with broadcasters on-site. NBC's theme music for their 1986 coverage was Herb Alpert's "1980", from his 1979 album Rise. It was originally a cue meant for the ill-fated 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics broadcasts. Meanwhile, ESPN aired about 25 matches that year, all with broadcasters in studio.
• In 1990, the World Cup was covered exclusively by cable television on TNT in the United States and had many features about the host country, Italy.
• The 1994 American coverage had many firsts: The first with all of the matches televised, the first with no commercial interruptions during live action, and the first to feature an on-screen score & time box.
• In 1998, all of the matches were televised in the United States live for the first time.
• The 2002 American coverage had 59 matches live, and 5 rebroadcasts on ABC, with coverage from Japan and South Korea carried live in the American late night graveyard slot.
• The 2006 coverage from Germany was fully live as well.
  • Dave O'Brien joined Marcelo Balboa on the primary broadcast team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage on ESPN and ABC Sports, despite having no experience calling soccer matches prior to that year. Because The Walt Disney Company, owner of both television outlets, retained control over on-air talent, the appointment of O'Brien as the main play-by-play voice was made over the objections of Soccer United Marketing, who wanted JP Dellacamera to continue in that role. Disney stated that their broadcast strategy was intended, in voice and style, to target the vast majority of Americans who do not follow the sport on a regular basis. Mispronunciation and incorrect addressing of names, misuse of soccer terminology, and lack of insight into tactics and history plagued the telecasts, resulting in heavy criticism from English-speaking soccer fans, many of whom ended up watching the games on Univision instead.^[16][17]
• The 2010 coverage from South Africa introduced ESPN 3D for 25 matches.
• The 2014 coverage was available on mobile devices and tablets via the WatchESPN application, as well as on Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles, live and on-demand, via the ESPN on Xbox Live application.
• Starting in 2018, coverage is available on connected TVs, mobile devices and tablets via the Fox Sports App.

Spanish-language television

Notes

• From 2002 to 2010, José Luis Chilavert joined Pablo Ramirez and Jesus Bracamontes on the booth during the Univision broadcast of the FIFA World Cup Final match.
• Starting in 2018, coverage will be available on connected TVs, mobile devices and tablets via NBC Sports and Telemundo Deportes' En Vivo apps respectively, and on home devices and video game consoles such as the Xbox One, PS4, and Roku via the Fox Sports app and Fox Sports Go.

Central America

Costa Rica

• 2022: Teletica Canal 7 and TD Más
• 2018: Teletica Canal 7 and TD Más
• 2014: Repretel (4, 6, 11) and Teletica (Teletica Canal 7, XPERTV)
• 2010: Repretel (4, 6, 11) and Teletica (Teletica Canal 7, XPERTV)
• 2006: Repretel (4, 6, 11)
• 2002: Repretel (4, 6, 11)
• 1998: Repretel (6, 9, 11), Teletica Canal 7 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
• 1994: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
• 1990: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
• 1986: Teletica Canal 7, Telecentro Canal 6 and Canal 2 (Univisión de Costa Rica)
• 1982: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
• 1978: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
• 1974: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6
• 1970: Canal 2 (Telenac Canal 2)
• 1966: Teletica Canal 7 and Telecentro Canal 6 (Deferred all games in both channels)

El Salvador

• 1986–present: Telecorporación Salvadoreña (Canal 4)
• 1982: Canal 2

Guatemala

• 2018-present: TV Azteca Guate
• 1994–2014: Canal 3, Televisiete, Teleonce, Trecevisión
• 1970–1990: Canal 3, Televisiete

Honduras

• 2014: VTV
• 1998–present: Televicentro (TSi, Canal 5, Telecadena 7/4)
• 1970–1994: Canal 5

Nicaragua

• 1998–present: Canal 10
• 1982–present: Canal 2

Panama

• 2014–present: Telemetro, COS
• 2002–present: TVMax
• 1966–present: RPC, TVN

Dominican Republic

Country	Language	Edition	Broadcasters
Dominican Republic	Spanish	1982	Rahintel
		1986	Color Visión
		1990	Color Visión, RTVD
		1994	Telesistema 11
		1998	Telesistema 11
		2002	Telemicro, Digital 15
		2006	CDN 37
		2010	Telecentro, RNN 27
		2014	Telemicro, Digital 15
		2018	Antena 7, Antena 21

South America

Country	Language	Editions	Broadcasters
Argentina	Spanish	1958	Canal 7
		1962	Canal 7, Río de La Plata Televisión Canal 13
		1966	Canal 7, Canal 13
		1970	Canal 7, Canal 13
		1974	Televisión Argentina Canal 7, Canal 13
		1978	Argentina 78 Televisión
		1982	Canal 2, Argentina Televisora Color, Canal 9, Canal Once, Canal 13
		1986	Canal 2, Argentina Televisora Color, Canal 9 Libertad, Canal Once, Canal 13
		1990	Argentina Televisora Color
		1994	América 2, Argentina Televisora Color, Canal 9 Libertad, Telefe, Canal 13, Telered
		1998	América Televisión, Argentina Televisora Color, Canal 9 Libertad, Telefe, Canal 13, DirecTV, Telered
		2002	América Televisión, Canal Siete, Canal Trece, TyC Sports, DirecTV
		2006	América Televisión, Canal Siete Argentina, Canal 9, Telefe, Canal Trece, TyC Sports, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	TV Pública Digital, Telefe, El Trece, TyC Sports, DirecTV Sports
		2014	TV Pública, TyC Sports, DirecTV Sports
		2018	Televisión Pública Argentina, TyC Sports, DirecTV Sports
		2022	Televisión Pública, TyC Sports, DirecTV Sports
		2026	Televisión Pública, TyC Sports, DirecTV Sports
Bolivia	Spanish	1970	Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana
		1974	Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana
		1978	Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana
		1982	Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana
		1986	Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana, Paceña de Televisión Canal 9
		1990	Red UNO, Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana, Red ABC, Red ATB
		1994	Red UNO, Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana, Red ABC, Red ATB
		1998	Red UNO, Canal 7 Televisión Boliviana, Bolivisión, Red ATB, DirecTV
		2002	Red UNO, Televisión Boliviana, Unitel, DirecTV
		2006	Red UNO, Televisión Boliviana, Unitel, RTP, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	Red UNO, Bolivia TV, Unitel, Red ATB, DirecTV Sports
		2014	Red UNO, Bolivia TV, Unitel, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
		2018	Red UNO, Bolivia TV, Unitel, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
		2022	Red UNO, Bolivia TV, Unitel, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
		2026	Red UNO, Bolivia TV, Unitel, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
Brazil	Portuguese	1958	TV Tupi, TV Record, TV Rio
		1962	TV Tupi, TV Record, TV Rio
		1966	Rede Globo, TV Tupi, TV Record, TV Rio, TV Excelsior, TV Continental
		1970	Rede Globo, TV Tupi, TV Record, TV Rio, TV Bandeirantes, TV Excelsior, TV Gazeta, TV Continental, TV Cultura
		1974	Rede Globo, TV Tupi, TV Record, TV Bandeirantes, TV Gazeta, TV Cultura
		1978	Rede Globo, TV Tupi, TV Record, TVS Rio, TV Bandeirantes, TV Gazeta, TV Cultura, TVE
		1982	Rede Globo, TV Cultura, TVE
		1986	Rede Globo, TV Record, SBT, Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Manchete
		1990	Rede Globo, SBT, Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Manchete
		1994	Rede Globo, SBT, Rede Bandeirantes, SporTV
		1998	Rede Globo, SBT, Rede Record, Rede Bandeirantes, Rede Manchete, SporTV, ESPN Brasil, DirecTV
		2002	Rede Globo, SporTV, DirecTV
		2006	Rede Globo, SporTV, ESPN Brasil, BandSports, DirecTV
		2010	Rede Globo, Rede Bandeirantes, SporTV, ESPN Brasil, BandSports
		2014	Rede Globo, Rede Bandeirantes, SporTV, ESPN Brasil, BandSports, Fox Sports
		2018	Rede Globo, SporTV, Fox Sports
		2022	Rede Globo, SporTV
		2026	Rede Globo, SporTV
Chile	Spanish	1962	Canal 9 de la Universidad de Chile, Canal 13 de la Universidad Católica de Chile
		1966	Canal 13 de la Universidad Católica de Chile
		1970	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 de la Universidad Católica de Chile
		1974	Televisión Nacional de Chile
		1978	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión, Red de Televisión de la Universidad del Norte
		1982	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión, Telenorte
		1986	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión, Telenorte
		1990	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión
		1994	Televisión Nacional de Chile, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión
		1998	TVN, Canal 13 - Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión, Chilevisión, DirecTV
		2002	TVN, Canal 13, DirecTV
		2006	TVN, Mega, Red Televisión, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	TVN, DirecTV Sports
		2014	TVN, Canal 13, DirecTV Sports
		2018	TVN, Mega, Canal 13, DirecTV Sports
		2022	TVN, Mega, Chilevisión, Canal 13, DirecTV Sports
		2026	TVN, Mega, Chilevisión, Canal 13, DirecTV Sports
Colombia	Spanish	1962	Televisora Nacional de Colombia
		1966	Inravisión Canal Nacional
		1970	Inravisión Canal Nacional
		1974	Inravisión Primera Cadena, Inravisión Segunda Cadena, Inravisión Tercera Cadena Color
		1978	Inravisión Primera Cadena, Inravisión Segunda Cadena, Inravisión Tercera Cadena Color
		1982	Inravisión Cadena 1, Inravisión Cadena 2, Inravisión Cadena 3
		1986	Inravisión Cadena 1, Inravisión Cadena 2, Inravisión Cadena 3
		1990	Inravisión Cadena 1, Inravisión Cadena 2, Inravisión Cadena 3
		1994	Inravisión Cadena Uno, Canal A, Inravisión Canal 3
		1998	Canal Uno, Canal A, Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV
		2002	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV
		2006	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV Sports
		2014	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV Sports, Win Sports
		2018	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV Sports, Win Sports
		2022	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV Sports, Win Sports
		2026	Caracol Televisión, RCN Televisión, DirecTV Sports, Win Sports
Ecuador	Spanish	1970	Telecentro
		1974	Telecentro
		1978	Ecuavisa, Televisora Nacional Canal 8, Teleamazonas, Telecuatro, Telecentro, Telenacional
		1982	Ecuavisa, Televisora Nacional Canal 8, Canal 13, Ecuavisa Quito UHF Canal 23, Teleamazonas, Telecuatro, Telecentro, Telenacional
		1986	Ecuavisa, Televisora Nacional Canal 8, Canal 13, Ecuavisa Quito UHF Canal 23, Teleamazonas, Telecuatro, Telecentro, Gamavisión, Manavisión
		1990	Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas, Telesistema TV4, Telecentro, Gamavisión
		1994	Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas, Telesistema, TC Televisión, Gamavisión, SíTV
		1998	Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas, Telesistema, TC Televisión, Gamavisión, DirecTV
		2002	Teleamazonas, Telesistema, DirecTV
		2006	Ecuavisa, Teleamazonas TeVe, RedTeleSistema, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	TC Televisión, Gama TV, DirecTV Sports
		2014	TC Televisión, Gama TV, Oromar Televisión, DirecTV Sports
		2018	RTS, DirecTV Sports
		2022	RTS, DirecTV Sports
Paraguay	Spanish	1970	Canal 9
		1974	Canal 9 Cerro Corá
		1978	Canal 9 Cerro Corá
		1982	Canal 9 Cerro Corá, Canal 13 RPT
		1986	Red SNT, Canal 13 RPT
		1990	Red SNT, Canal 13 RPC
		1994	SNT 9, Canal 13 RPC, Tevedos
		1998	SNT Continental, Telefuturo, Canal 13 RPC, Tevedos, DirecTV
		2002	SNT Cerro Corá, Telefuturo, El trece, Tevedos, DirecTV
		2006	SNT Cerro Corá, Telefuturo, El trece, Red Guaraní, Paravisión, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	SNT Cerro Corá, Telefuturo, El trece, Red Guaraní, Paravisión, LaTele, DirecTV Sports
		2014	SNT, Telefuturo, El trece, Red Guaraní, Paravisión, LaTele, Paraguay TV, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
		2018	SNT, Telefuturo, RPC, Red Guaraní, Paravisión, LaTele, Paraguay TV, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
		2022	SNT, Telefuturo, Trece, Paravisión, LaTele, Paraguay TV, DirecTV Sports, Tigo Sports
Peru	Spanish	1970	América Televisión
		1974	América Televisión
		1978	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión
		1982	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión
		1986	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión
		1990	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión
		1994	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión
		1998	América Televisión, Panamericana Televisión, DirecTV
		2002	ATV, DirecTV
		2006	ATV, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	ATV, DirecTV Sports
		2014	ATV, DirecTV Sports
		2018	Latina, TV Perú, DirecTV Sports
		2022	Latina, TV Perú, DirecTV Sports
Uruguay	Spanish	1970	Monte Carlo Televisión, Canal 5 SODRE, Tele12, Canal 10
		1974	Monte Carlo Televisión, Canal 5 SODRE, Tele12, Canal 10
		1978	Monte Carlo Televisión, Canal 5 SODRE Televisión, Tele12, Canal 10
		1982	Monte Carlo Televisión, SODRE TV, Canal 10, Teledoce Televisora Color, Red Televisión Color
		1986	Monte Carlo Televisión, SODRE TV, Canal 10, Teledoce Televisora Color, Red Televisión Color
		1990	Monte Carlo Televisión, SODRE TV, Canal 10, Teledoce Televisora Color, Red Televisión Color
		1994	Monte Carlo Televisión, SODRE TV, Canal 10, Teledoce Televisora Color, Red Televisión Color
		1998	Monte Carlo Televisión, Televisión Nacional, Canal 10, Teledoce Televisora Color, Red Televisión Color, DirecTV
		2002	Red Uruguaya de Televisión, DirecTV
		2006	Monte Carlo TV, Televisión Nacional Uruguay, Canal 10, Teledoce, Red Uruguaya de Televisión, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	Monte Carlo TV, Televisión Nacional Uruguay, Canal 10, Teledoce, Red Uruguaya de Televisión, DirecTV Sports
		2014	Monte Carlo TV, Televisión Nacional Uruguay, Canal 10, Teledoce, Red Uruguaya de Televisión, DirecTV Sports
		2018	Monte Carlo TV, Televisión Nacional Uruguay, Canal 10, Teledoce, La Red, DirecTV Sports
		2022	Canal 4, Canal 5, Canal 10, Teledoce, La Red, DirecTV Sports, Dexary
		2026	Canal 4, Canal 5, Canal 10, Teledoce, La Red, DirecTV Sports, Dexary
Venezuela	Spanish	1970	RCTV
		1974	RCTV, Venevisión
		1978	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV
		1982	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV
		1986	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV
		1990	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV
		1994	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV
		1998	RCTV, Venevisión, VTV, DirecTV
		2002	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, DirecTV
		2006	RCTV, Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, Mundial Total DirecTV
		2010	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, DirecTV Sports
		2014	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, TVes, DirecTV Sports
		2018	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, TVes, La Tele Tuya, IVC, DirecTV Sports
		2022	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, TVes, La Tele Tuya, IVC, DirecTV Sports
		2026	Venevisión, Meridiano Televisión, TVes, La Tele Tuya, IVC, DirecTV Sports