The biggest football tournament ever in history is just weeks away — and New Zealand is back on the world stage for the first time since 2010. Here’s what you need to know about where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 New Zealand, an up-to-date guide with all the information on how to catch every match.
The wait is almost over. On 12 June 2026 (NZT), the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in what will be the largest tournament the sport has ever seen.
For Kiwi fans, the excitement runs even deeper than usual: the All Whites have qualified for the first time in 16 years, and the broadcasting setup for 2026 is unlike anything New Zealand football fans have experienced before.
TVNZ has replaced Sky Sport as the home of the World Cup in New Zealand, bringing the tournament to a wider audience than ever — and introducing the country’s first-ever paid streaming Event Pass alongside free-to-air coverage.
Whether you want to catch every single one of the 104 matches or just follow the All Whites for free, here is everything you need to know.
Where to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 New Zealand
TVNZ holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in New Zealand. You can watch through:
- TVNZ 1 — free-to-air television, broadcasting a minimum of 22 matches, including all All Whites games and the Final
- TVNZ+ (free tier) — mirrors TVNZ 1 and adds 11 extra group stage and Round of 32 matches, also free
- TVNZ+ Event Pass — one-off payment of NZ$44.95 for all 104 matches live and on demand
This is a significant shift in the New Zealand broadcasting landscape. Sky Sport, which had held the rights to the World Cup for decades, no longer carries the tournament. TVNZ is now the exclusive home of the 2026 World Cup in Aotearoa.
Free vs Paid: What’s the Difference?
Here is a clear breakdown of what you get for free versus what requires the Event Pass:
Free on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ (minimum 22 matches):
- All three All Whites group stage matches
- The opening match of the tournament
- Two additional group stage games
- Two rounds of 32 (first knockout round) matches
- One Quarter-final
- One Semi-final
- The World Cup Final
Free on TVNZ+ only (11 additional matches):
- Additional group stage and Round of 32 fixtures, streamed free through the TVNZ+ platform (not broadcast on TVNZ 1)
TVNZ+ Event Pass — NZ$44.95:
- All 104 matches live and on demand
- Full match replays (available during the tournament and for 30 days after the Final)
- Exclusive clips, daily highlights, and match analysis throughout the tournament
If you only want to follow the All Whites, you do not need to spend a cent. Every New Zealand group game is free. But if you want the complete experience — every group stage battle, every knockout tie, every late-night drama — the NZ$44.95 Event Pass covers everything.
A Historic First for TVNZ
The TVNZ+ Event Pass marks a defining moment for New Zealand’s national broadcaster. This is the first time in TVNZ’s history that it has charged the public for content, and the World Cup is the event the broadcaster has chosen to launch its paid tier.
TVNZ Chief Executive Jodi O’Donnell described it as a “defining moment” for the business as it evolves toward a digitally led model. “We are expanding our offering to give viewers more choice and control over how they watch the content they love with us,” she said. “Free-to-air, ad-funded content remains at the heart of what we do. But the TVNZ+ Event Pass lets us go further.”
Head of Sports, Melodie Robinson added: “We want all Kiwis to be able to get in on the action. The breadth of our coverage gives viewers maximum choice, and we’re really proud to be the home of the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
Important note: The TVNZ+ Event Pass is a one-off purchase — not a subscription. It covers the FIFA World Cup 2026 only. Buying a World Cup pass does not give you access to other paid events on TVNZ+.
How to Set Up TVNZ+ and Buy the Event Pass
Getting set up on TVNZ+ is straightforward. Here is the step-by-step process:
For free matches:
- Visit tvnz.co.nz on your browser or download the TVNZ+ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Click “Register” and create a free TVNZ account using your email address.
- Verify your email, log in, and navigate to the FIFA World Cup 2026 section.
- Free matches will be available to stream without any payment.
For the Event Pass (all 104 matches):
- Go to tvnz.co.nz/passes on a web browser (desktop or mobile).
- Select the FIFA World Cup 2026 Event Pass.
- Pay the one-off fee of NZ$44.95.
- Log in with your Event Pass account and access all 104 matches live and on demand.
Important: You can only purchase the Event Pass through a web browser. You cannot buy it through the TVNZ+ app on a smart TV or via the mobile or tablet app. However, once purchased, you can watch on smart TVs, phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and web browsers.
The TVNZ+ app and website are available across a wide range of devices, including Apple TV, Android TVs, Samsung smart TVs, PlayStation, and more.
Advertising on the Event Pass
TVNZ has confirmed that the Event Pass will include some advertising. However, the broadcaster has committed to not interrupting gameplay. Viewers can expect advertising at half-time, pre and post-match, and some sponsorship content — but no ad breaks during live play.
The All Whites at World Cup 2026: Fixtures, Times & Venues
New Zealand is back at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since South Africa 2010 — a 16-year wait that has made this moment particularly emotional for Kiwi football supporters.
Drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and Iran, the All Whites face a tough but navigable path to the knockout rounds.
Head coach Darren Bazeley named his 26-man squad on 14 May 2026 at Eden Park in Auckland — the same venue where New Zealand secured their historic first direct Oceania qualification in March 2025.
Here are all three All Whites group stage fixtures in NZT:
| Match | Date (NZT) | Kick-off (NZT) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran vs New Zealand | Tuesday, 16 June 2026 | 1:00 PM | SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), Los Angeles |
| New Zealand vs Egypt | Monday, 22 June 2026 | 1:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| New Zealand vs Belgium | Saturday, 27 June 2026 | 3:00 PM | BC Place, Vancouver |
All three matches are played on the West Coast of North America, which means the kick-off times in New Zealand are comfortably watchable — early afternoon for the Iran and Egypt games, and a Saturday afternoon slot for the Belgium decider. All three fixtures will be shown live and free on both TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
The All Whites’ Group G Situation
Belgium, ranked ninth in the world, is the clear favourites in the group. Egypt — powered by the threat of Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah — are considered the second seed.
Iran, ranked 21st globally, is the tournament’s most experienced side in the group. New Zealand, ranked 85th and the lowest-ranked team in the 48-nation field, will need to cause upsets to advance.
However, under the expanded 48-team format, the top two from each group advance, plus the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups. That means a win and a draw could realistically be enough to send the All Whites through to the Round of 32.
The Man Leading the Line
Chris Wood, New Zealand’s captain and record goalscorer with 45 international goals in 88 appearances, leads the squad. After scoring 20 Premier League goals for Nottingham Forest in 2024-25 and becoming the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer, Wood heads into this World Cup in strong form. He is New Zealand’s most important player and arguably the best finisher the country has ever produced.
The All Whites also have history to draw on: at South Africa 2010, New Zealand became the only team in World Cup history to go unbeaten at a tournament without advancing, drawing all three group games. They have never lost the spirit.
World Cup 2026: Key Dates in NZT
Here is your quick-reference tournament timeline for New Zealand viewers:
- Tournament opens: Friday, 12 June 2026 (NZT)
- Opening match: Mexico vs South Africa, 12 June at approximately 5:00 AM NZT
- All Whites opener: Iran vs New Zealand, Tuesday, 16 June at 1:00 PM NZT
- Group stage ends: Late June 2026
- Round of 32: Early July 2026
- Quarter-finals: Mid-July 2026
- Semi-finals: 15–16 July 2026
- World Cup Final: Sunday, 20 July 2026 at approximately 8:00 AM NZT
The World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey kicks off at roughly 8:00 AM on Sunday NZT — one of the best Final viewing slots for New Zealanders in two decades. A proper Sunday morning watch party, live and free on TVNZ.
Match Kick-Off Times in New Zealand: What to Expect
Because the tournament spans three countries across North America, match times in New Zealand vary. Here is a general guide:
- Earliest kick-offs: 4:00 AM NZT (US East Coast venues)
- Latest kick-offs: 4:00 AM NZT (overnight US West Coast matches)
- All Whites matches: All kick off between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM NZT — extremely fan-friendly
- The Final: Approximately 8:00 AM NZT, Sunday 20 July
For the full NZT schedule, TVNZ has a complete match-by-match listing at tvnz.co.nz/schedules.
Can I Watch Outside New Zealand?
Unfortunately, no. TVNZ only holds the rights to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage within New Zealand. Streaming is not available outside the country, and the TVNZ+ service is geoblocked internationally.
If you are a Kiwi travelling abroad during the tournament, TVNZ recommends checking which local broadcaster in your destination country has rights to the World Cup. For news and text updates on the All Whites while overseas, 1news.co.nz is available outside New Zealand.
Is There Radio Coverage?
No New Zealand radio broadcaster has confirmed exclusive audio rights to the 2026 World Cup as of late May 2026. However, BBC Radio 5 Live carries English-language commentary on all 104 matches and is available free worldwide via the BBC Sounds app — no VPN required for audio.
Summary: All the Ways to Watch
| Platform | Cost | What You Get | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| TVNZ 1 (TV) | Free | 22 matches incl. all All Whites games + Final | Channel 1 on your TV |
| TVNZ+ (free) | Free (account required) | Same 22 matches + 11 extra matches | tvnz.co.nz or TVNZ+ app |
| TVNZ+ Event Pass | NZ$44.95 (one-off) | All 104 matches live + replays + highlights | tvnz.co.nz/passes (browser only to purchase) |
The Bigger Picture: Why This World Cup Matters for New Zealand
This is not just another World Cup for Aotearoa. It is the country’s return to football’s biggest stage after 16 years away. It is TVNZ’s biggest broadcast moment in years, and the launch of an entirely new paid streaming model for the national broadcaster.
And it features a genuinely watchable schedule — with all three All Whites games kicking off in the early afternoon on weekdays and a Saturday, no bleary-eyed 3:00 AM alarms required.
The All Whites have never won a match at a FIFA World Cup. Nine appearances, zero wins, three draws, six defeats across 1982 and 2010. Darren Bazeley’s squad heads to North America with the chance to change that.
Iran in Los Angeles on 16 June is the match Kiwi fans will be watching through their fingers — and likely watching from their sofas, for free, via TVNZ.
Get your TVNZ account set up now. Decide whether you want the Event Pass. Mark those dates in the calendar. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on earth, and New Zealand is finally part of it again.
