The FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially here — and it’s the biggest one ever. For the first time, 48 teams are competing across three countries (USA, Canada and Mexico), with 104 matches spread over 39 days. For Malaysian fans, the big news is that you can stream every single match free on RTMKlik — and if you’re on CelcomDigi, there are three dedicated passes that give you unlimited access without burning through your regular data quota.
This guide covers everything: the full schedule in Malaysian time, how to watch every match live, the CelcomDigi passes built for the tournament, and who to watch when the football finally starts.
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 — At a Glance
📅
Dates
11 Jun — 19 Jul 2026
🏟
Host countries
USA, Canada, Mexico
🎮
Total matches
104 matches
🏆
Final venue
MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
📺
Watch in Malaysia
RTMKlik (FREE)
🕐
MYT offset (US ET)
+13 hours
📶
Stream worry-free
CelcomDigi passes from RM10
When does the FIFA World Cup 2026 start — and what time in Malaysia?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June 2026 with Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. In Malaysian time (MYT / GMT+8), that opening match starts at 3:00 AM on 12 June 2026. The final is on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey — 5:00 AM MYT on 20 July 2026.
With the tournament hosted in North America, most matches fall between midnight and early morning MYT — so late-night viewing is part of the deal this year. The upside? There are 104 matches over 39 days, so there’s always a game on.
🕐 Quick MYT Time Converter — World Cup 2026
| Match kickoff (local) |
Malaysian Time (MYT) |
Viewing verdict |
| 12:00 PM ET (USA) | 1:00 AM MYT | 🌙 Late night — grab the Unlimited Internet Pass |
| 3:00 PM ET (USA) | 4:00 AM MYT | 😴 Wee hours — set that alarm |
| 6:00 PM ET (USA) | 7:00 AM MYT | ☀️ Morning — great for weekend viewing |
| 9:00 PM ET (USA) | 10:00 AM MYT (next day) | 🏉 Best slot — mid-morning MYT |
| 1:00 PM Mexico City (UTC-6) | 3:00 AM MYT | 🌙 Late night |
| 9:00 PM Mexico City | 11:00 AM MYT (next day) | ☀️ Comfortable morning watch |
How to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Malaysia
RTM and Unifi TV are the official FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcasters in Malaysia. RTMKlik streams all 104 matches free on any internet connection — download the app or visit rtmklik.rtm.gov.my. Unifi TV carries all matches in HD via a season pass from RM50. CelcomDigi customers can subscribe to dedicated passes — Unlimited Internet, sooka Daily, or Sports Bundle — for unlimited RTMKlik streaming without touching their main data quota.
This World Cup marks a major shift for Malaysian fans. Astro does not hold the broadcasting rights — instead, RTM and Unifi TV have partnered to bring all 104 matches to Malaysia. RTMKlik is completely free, works on any mobile device or smart TV, and accessible on any internet connection.
| Platform |
Coverage |
Cost |
How to access |
| RTMKlik | All 104 matches (most live) | FREE | RTMKlik app or rtmklik.rtm.gov.my |
| RTM Free-to-Air | Most matches (TV1, TV2, Sukan RTM) | FREE | UHF antenna or DVB-T2/MyTV box |
| Unifi TV | All 104 matches, live, HD | RM50–RM60 season pass | Unifi TV app or website |
| Astro | ❌ No World Cup rights | — | Not available |
Stream World Cup 2026 on RTMKlik — unlimited, with CelcomDigi
CelcomDigi customers have three dedicated passes to stream the World Cup on RTMKlik without worrying about data: the Unlimited Internet Pass (RM10 for 7 days, active 12AM–12PM), the sooka Daily Pass (RM11.90/day, includes 15GB internet), and the Sports Bundle (RM59.90/month, includes 100GB data plus sooka Premium and Prime Video). All three are available for both Postpaid and Prepaid users, and all include RTMKlik access.
RTMKlik is free to use but you still need data to stream it. CelcomDigi has three passes for the football season, each with RTMKlik built in — stream every kickoff without dipping into your regular data quota.
📺
RTMKlik included with all 3 passes
Stream every FIFA World Cup 2026 match — unlimited, no data deducted from your main quota
🌎 Unlimited Internet
RM10
for 7 days
Unlimited data (FUP up to 80GB)
Active 12AM – 12PM daily
Valid for 7 days
Postpaid & Prepaid
📺 RTMKlik included
Best for: late-night match streaming on mobile
⭐ Most flexible
🎬 sooka Daily
RM11.90
per day
sooka Sports & Entertainment — 24 hours
Extra 15GB internet included
Mobile, tablet & laptop
Postpaid & Prepaid
📺 RTMKlik included
Best for: match-day splurge on the big games
🏆 Sports Bundle
RM59.90
per month (auto-renew)
sooka Premium access
Prime Video (bonus)
Extra 100GB 5G/4G internet
Postpaid & Prepaid
📺 RTMKlik included
Best for: the whole tournament — every match, every day
📱 How to subscribe
1. Via CelcomDigi app2. Dial *100# on your phone3. Visit celcomdigi.com/football
Not sure which to pick? For every group stage match, the Sports Bundle at RM59.90/month is best value. For just the big games, grab the sooka Daily at RM11.90 on match day. For late-night streaming without burning your data, the Unlimited Internet Pass at RM10 for 7 days (12AM–12PM) is made for exactly that.
⚽ CelcomDigi x FIFA World Cup 2026
3 passes. 104 matches. Unlimited RTMKlik streaming.
CelcomDigi customers get dedicated World Cup internet passes with RTMKlik included — stream every match without burning your regular data. From RM10.
See all World Cup offers →
Unlimited Internet — RM10/7 days
sooka Daily — RM11.90/day
Sports Bundle — RM59.90/month
📺 RTMKlik on all 3
FIFA World Cup 2026 — all 12 groups explained
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams across 12 groups of four. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams. Group A includes hosts Mexico with South Korea, South Africa and Czechia. Argentina, Brazil, France, England and Spain are among the top favourites.
For the first time ever, 48 nations are at the World Cup — up from 32 in 2022. More matches, more surprises, more underdogs making a run.
Group A
🇲🇸 Mexico (H) | 🇰🇷 South Korea
🇿🇦 South Africa | 🇨🇿 Czechia
Group B
🇨🇦 Canada (H) | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herz.
🇶🇦 Qatar | 🇨🇭 Switzerland
Group C ⭐ Watch this
🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇲🇦 Morocco
Scotland | 🇭🇹 Haiti
Group D
🇺🇸 USA (H) | 🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇦🇺 Australia | 🇹🇷 Türkiye
Group E ⭐ Watch this
🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇨🇩 DR Congo
England | 🇭🇷 Croatia
Group F ⭐ Watch this
🇦🇷 Argentina | 🇯🇴 Jordan
🇨🇮 Ivory Coast | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
Group G
🇧🇪 Belgium | 🇪🇬 Egypt
🇮🇷 Iran | 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Group H ⭐ Watch this
🇫🇷 France | 🇩🇰 Denmark
🇩🇿 Algeria | 🇬🇭 Ghana
Group I
🇩🇪 Germany | 🇺🇾 Uruguay
🇸🇳 Senegal | 🇸🇰 Slovakia
Group J ⭐ Watch this
🇪🇸 Spain | 🇯🇵 Japan
🇳🇴 Norway | 🇵🇦 Panama
Group K
🇳🇱 Netherlands | 🇸🇪 Sweden
🇨🇱 Chile | 🇬🇳 Guinea
Group L
🇮🇹 Italy | 🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇵🇱 Poland | 🇨🇴 Colombia
How the new 48-team format works
The 2026 World Cup uses a new expanded format. 48 teams play in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advance to a new Round of 32. From there it’s straight knockout — Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final on 19 July.
Teams to watch at World Cup 2026
Argentina are the defending champions led by a 38-year-old Messi on his likely final World Cup. France (Mbappé), Brazil (Vinicius Jr), Spain (Lamine Yamal) and England are the big contenders. Portugal’s Ronaldo makes his final bid. South Korea, the only Asian side in a tough group, will be closely watched by Malaysian fans.
🇦🇷
Argentina
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
Messi’s farewell bid. The Albiceleste are the team to beat — backed by a deep squad that won it all in Qatar 2022.
🇫🇷
France
TOP FAVOURITE
Mbappé at the peak of his powers, hungry after the 2022 final heartbreak. France’s squad depth is terrifying.
🇧🇷
Brazil
CONTENDER
Vinicius Jr leads the Seleção’s charge for a sixth title. Always watchable, always unpredictable.
🇪🇸
Spain
CONTENDER
Euro 2024 champions with Lamine Yamal. Spain play the most entertaining football in the world right now.
🇵🇹
Portugal
DARK HORSE
Ronaldo’s last dance. He’s never won the World Cup — can he finally lift the trophy in North America?
🇰🇷
South Korea
ASIAN HOPE
Asia’s best hope this tournament. Historically supported by Malaysians — Group A with Mexico is their first test.
Key tournament dates — group stage to the final
The group stage runs 11 June to 27 June 2026. The new Round of 32 follows from 28 June to 3 July, then Round of 16 (4–7 July), Quarterfinals (9–11 July), Semifinals (14–15 July), and the Grand Final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium — 5:00 AM MYT on 20 July.
JUN 11
Group Stage kicks off
Mexico vs South Africa — 3:00 AM MYT (12 June)
JUN 27
Group Stage ends
32 teams qualify for knockout stage
JUN 28
Round of 32 🔄
New this year — runs to 3 July
JUL 4–7
Round of 16
Tournament heats up from here
JUL 9–11
Quarterfinals
Eight teams remain — business end begins
JUL 14–15
Semifinals
Four left — two will make it to New Jersey
JUL 19
🏆 THE FINAL — MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
5:00 AM MYT on 20 July 2026
🕳️ Who do you think will win World Cup 2026?
Vote below — we’ll show results after you pick!
🇦🇷 Argentina — defending champions34%
🇫🇷 France — Mbappé’s time28%
🇧🇷 Brazil — sixth star incoming18%
🇪🇸 Spain — Yamal’s tournament12%
🤔 Someone else entirely8%
Frequently asked questions
Where can Malaysians watch FIFA World Cup 2026 for free?+
Malaysians can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on RTMKlik — RTM’s free streaming app and website (rtmklik.rtm.gov.my). RTM also broadcasts on free-to-air TV channels TV1, TV2, Sukan RTM and TV Okey. RTMKlik works on any internet connection. Astro does not hold World Cup 2026 broadcasting rights in Malaysia.
What CelcomDigi passes include RTMKlik for the World Cup?+
CelcomDigi offers three World Cup passes with RTMKlik included: Unlimited Internet Pass (RM10 for 7 days, unlimited data FUP 80GB, active 12AM–12PM daily); sooka Daily Pass (RM11.90/day, sooka Sports access + 15GB internet); Sports Bundle (RM59.90/month, sooka Premium + Prime Video + 100GB internet). All available for Postpaid and Prepaid. Subscribe at celcomdigi.com/football.
What time does the World Cup 2026 start in Malaysia?+
The opening match — Mexico vs South Africa — kicks off at 3:00 AM Malaysian time (MYT / GMT+8) on 12 June 2026. Most US-based matches fall between midnight and 10:00 AM MYT. 9PM ET kickoffs translate to 10:00 AM MYT the next morning.
How many teams are in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?+
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams — expanded from 32 since 1998. The teams play in 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams (32 total) advancing to the new Round of 32 knockout stage.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final and what time in Malaysia?+
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. In Malaysian time (MYT / GMT+8), the Final kicks off at 5:00 AM on 20 July 2026. Subscribe to a CelcomDigi World Cup pass to stream it live on RTMKlik.
Ready for World Cup 2026?
39 days. 104 matches. The greatest players on the planet. Whether you’re waking up at 3am for every kickoff or just catching the knockouts, make sure your streaming is sorted before the whistle blows on 12 June. RTMKlik is free — you just need a connection fast enough to do it justice.
CelcomDigi customers get three dedicated passes with RTMKlik built in — check out all World Cup offers at celcomdigi.com/football, or if you want unlimited data all tournament long, explore CelcomDigi Postpaid 5G plans here. Now go pick your team and enjoy the football.
