From June 11, Everyone to Antena! FIFA World Cup 2026™ Begins Exclusively in the Antena Universe
The most anticipated sporting event on the planet kicks off on June 11, and Romanian audiences will be able to watch it exclusively within the Antena Universe. Between June 11 and July 19, 2026, Antena 1, AntenaPLAY, and Antena 3 CNN will exclusively broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026™, the edition that will go down in history as the largest FIFA World Cup ever organized. The production crews that will be reporting live from the stadiums where history will be made have already arrived in North America.
For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 national teams, 104 matches, and 3 host countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico-in a global sporting spectacle watched by billions of people around the world.
Antena is the first commercial television network in Romania to broadcast the FIFA World Cup™, further strengthening its position as the leading destination for the world's most prestigious international sporting events. Moreover, following the 2026 edition, Antena will also broadcast FIFA World Cup 2030™, becoming the home of the World Cup for the next two editions of the competition.
The First FIFA World Cup Broadcast in Surround Sound in Romania
FIFA World Cup 2026™ brings a technological first for Romanian audiences. For the first time, a FIFA World Cup will be broadcast in surround sound, offering viewers an experience much closer to being inside the stadium.
The atmosphere of the stands, the reactions of supporters, the intensity of every play, and the emotion of the world's greatest arenas will reach Romanian homes with an unprecedented level of immersion.
104 LIVE Matches, Hundreds of Hours of Content, and Dedicated Teams Sent to North America
Throughout the tournament, the Antena Universe will broadcast all 104 matches LIVE, alongside hundreds of hours of dedicated programming, analysis, highlights, on-site reports, and exclusive content.
To bring audiences closer to the action, Antena has sent three dedicated teams of reporters and camera operators to North America. The Observator team, consisting of Cristi Popovici and Petrică Rogoz, is already in the United States, covering preparations ahead of the tournament's opening. They will be joined by two Antena Sport teams delivering coverage of the most important stories surrounding the competition. The reporters present at the FIFA World Cup are Silviu Corneanu, Bogdan Gheorghe, and Cristi Popovici, alongside camera operators Cristian Vidu, Florin Rotaru, and Petrică Rogoz.
The matches will be covered by an extended team of sports journalists and commentators, including Felix Drăghici, Andrei Rădulescu, Marian Olaianos, Dan Pavel, Bogdan Pasăre, Robert Șișcă, Bogdan Hofbauer, Adrian Cheltuitoru, Valentin Halacenco, Bogdan Ormuz, and Andrei Nicolae.
A Complete Experience Across All Antena Platforms
In 2026, the leading programs and personalities of Antena 1 and Antena 3 CNN, together with the resources of AntenaPLAY, will be fully involved in the coverage of the world's most-watched sporting event.
Audiences will enjoy dedicated studios, live broadcasts, themed programs, analysis, highlights, digital content, and social media coverage, turning FIFA World Cup 2026™ into an experience available across all screens and throughout the day.
Never before has a FIFA World Cup been experienced so comprehensively in Romania's digital landscape. AntenaPLAY will offer a unique experience for football fans, including two exclusive channels, access to LIVE coverage one hour before kick-off, real-time goals and highlights, dedicated shows featuring football and entertainment personalities, as well as exclusive access to additional camera feeds beyond the TV broadcast through the Match Buddy innovation-providing alternative angles and cameras for the match of the day, available exclusively to subscribers.
Three Spectacular Opening Ceremonies for the Biggest World Cup in History
For the first time, the 2026 edition will begin with three opening ceremonies, one in each host country.
On June 11, Mexico City will officially launch the tournament with a spectacular show featuring Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, J Balvin, Maná, and Tyla. On June 12, Toronto will host Canada's opening ceremony, with performances by Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, and Michael Bublé, while Los Angeles will bring together some of the biggest names in international music, including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla.
All three ceremonies will be broadcast within the Antena Universe ahead of the opening matches in each host country.
First FIFA World Cup 2026™ Broadcasts on Antena 1
Thursday, June 11
- 20:30 – Everyone to Antena! Match Studio and Opening Ceremony
- 22:00 – Mexico vs. South Africa
Friday, June 12
- 05:00 – South Korea vs. Czech Republic
- 20:30 – Everyone to Antena! Match Studio and Canada's Opening Ceremony
- 22:00 – Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Saturday, June 13
- 02:30 – Everyone to Antena! Match Studio and USA Opening Ceremony
- 04:00 – USA vs. Paraguay
Starting June 11, the Antena Universe becomes the exclusive destination for the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet.
FIFA World Cup 2026™. Feel it. Live it. Experience the World Cup.
From June 11, Everyone to Antena!
