The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 12 to July 20, Taiwan time. This year’s World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and has a total of 104 matches. In Taiwan, Alda TV has obtained the general broadcast agent in Taiwan and authorized Chunghwa Telecom., Taiwan TV, Dongsen News/Dongsen Foreign Film Channel are responsible for the broadcast, and you can expect excitement.
How is 2026 FIFA different from previous World Cups? How to watch this World Cup? The following is a summary and explanation:
1.Differences between the old and new formats of the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will be held from June 12 to July 20, Taiwan time. The schedule spans 39 days and includes a total of 104 games. The scale has reached a record high. One of the most eye-catching highlights of this year’s tournament is that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two legendary football stars in the world, will play in the World Cup for the sixth time, as well as Brazilian football superstar Neymar and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
This year will be expanded to 48 teams for the first time, and the preliminaries will be expanded to 12 groups. In addition to the top two teams in each group advancing to the knockout rounds, the 8 best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout rounds. A total of 32 teams will advance to the next round.
There are 4 teams in each group in the group stage, and each team must play 3 games. The winner of the group stage will get 3 points, each tie will get 1 point, and the loser will get 0 points. If the teams are tied, they will compare the goal difference, total goals, and the results of each other’s games in order, and finally draw lots. The 8 “Best Third Place” seats are determined by comparing all 12 groups of third places. The comparison criteria are points, goal difference, total goals, and FIFA world rankings in order; the “Round of 32” is a single-elimination tournament, and losers are directly eliminated. The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
2. Taiwan Internet and TV broadcast:
The exclusive agency rights of the 2026 World Cup in Taiwan have been obtained by ELTA TV for four consecutive years. This year, ELTA TV, Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan TV and Dongsen TV will be responsible for broadcasting. Please refer to the official website announcements of each media for details of the broadcast times and content of each frequency band.
A. Webcast:
a.Alda TV:
The official online broadcast platform provides the most complete 104 all-event live broadcasts, video on demand (VOD) and post-match replay functions.
b.Hami Video:
Open a 24-hour exclusive World Cup channel and chat room, and launch a “TV Sports Arena” limited-time discount plan.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Chunghwa Telecom has launched different preferential billing plans for existing Chunghwa Telecom users and the general public, including a long-term contract project with a minimum monthly contract of 129 yuan, and a 90-day short-term plan of 399 yuan or 180 yuan without binding. In addition to price discounts, some options also come with free bonuses Hami Points, mobile Internet data or coupons from chain fried chicken restaurants to meet the different needs of sports fans.
c.Chunghwa Telecom MOD:
Full live broadcast via Alda Sports Channel 104 games across all competitions, press the shortcut key “999” on the remote control to directly enter the World Cup viewing area.
B. Cable TV:
a.CH 8/CH 7 TV:
Main broadcast18 selected events, including some group stages, top 16 matches, semi-finals, semi-finals, third place matches and championship matches, and will replay exciting events at 10 p.m. In order to create the most professional and immersive game viewing feast, TTV has launched 10 well-known domestic anchors and commentators, including Lin Weijue, Chen Yali, Chang Funing, Tian Hongkui, Zheng Xianmeng, Li Hongbin, Gerrard, Huang Tianyou, Cai Yijin and Roy, to form a strong broadcast team to lead the audience into the exciting classic matchup. Viewers are kindly asked to lock in the TTV channel.
b.CH51 Dongsen News and CH66 Dongsen Movie Channel:
Dongsen TV station uses Dongsen News Channel (CH51) and Dongsen Movie Channel (CH66)Live broadcast on the topical teams or prime time that Chinese people loveFIFA World Cup live and replay, specialFocus on some focus matches and key knockout matches.
Source: KOCPC Chinese