How to watch World Cup in the Netherlands

NOS holds the Dutch rights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Netherlands, with live coverage available on NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3 and streaming through NPO Start on the web and in the NPO Start app. The NPO television channels and basic NPO Start livestreams are free to access, while the paid NPO Start plus subscription adds extra on-demand features.

Where to Watch

Dutch viewers can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup live through NOS coverage across the public NPO network. The main TV channels are NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3, with NPO Start used for online streaming in the Netherlands.

NOS announced in September 2024 that it had acquired television, online and radio rights for the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cup tournaments. The 2026 edition is staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 teams and 104 matches.

TV Coverage

For 2026 FIFA World Cup TV coverage in the Netherlands, NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3 are the main linear channels. Dutch national team matches are expected to receive prominent coverage on NPO 1, while other fixtures may be placed across the NPO channels or streamed through NPO Start depending on the daily schedule.

The tournament begins on June 11, 2026, with Mexico against South Africa at Mexico City Stadium. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Streaming Availability

To watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup live stream in the Netherlands, viewers can use NPO Start through the NPO website or the NPO Start app. NPO Start provides livestreams of NPO television channels, including NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3.

• Main streaming service: NPO Start
• Access options: NPO Start website and NPO Start app
• Supported platforms: web, iOS, Android, smart TVs, Chromecast and AirPlay
• Picture quality: NPO lists HD picture quality for its NPO Start tiers

Free-to-Air and Subscription Access

NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3 are public television channels available free-to-air in the Netherlands. They are also commonly carried by TV providers such as Ziggo, KPN, Odido and DELTA, where they are typically part of standard channel line-ups.

NPO Start can be used for free, including access to livestreams. An NPO account is not required for basic viewing, although a free NPO-id adds features such as profiles, favourites and continuing playback across devices. NPO Start with a plus subscription costs €3.49 per month and adds longer catch-up availability, some earlier seasons or previews, and ad-free on-demand viewing.

Replays, Radio and Additional Coverage

Alongside live match coverage, NPO and NOS provide supporting World Cup programming, news, analysis, reports and radio coverage. NPO Radio 1 carries World Cup programming, including live coverage of Netherlands matches, while NOS.nl provides ongoing news and tournament updates.

For the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup TV schedule in the Netherlands, viewers should check the NPO and NOS listings close to matchday, as individual fixtures may be assigned to different NPO channels or NPO Start streams.

Ziggo viewers in the Netherlands can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup on NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3, with streaming through Ziggo GO and the NPO app, including NPO Start. The NPO channels are free-to-air public channels, while access through Ziggo TV and Ziggo GO requires a Ziggo TV subscription.

Where to Watch

For users asking how to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Netherlands through Ziggo, the main route is via the NPO channels carried on Ziggo’s TV platform. NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3 are available on Ziggo as standard public channels, including through Kabel TV and TV Standard.

Ziggo does not hold the Dutch broadcast rights to the tournament. NOS is the Dutch rights holder for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with coverage distributed through the Dutch public broadcasting system on television, online and radio. Ziggo’s role is to carry the relevant NPO channels and provide subscriber access through its own TV and streaming services.

TV Coverage on Ziggo

• Main TV channels: NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3
• Provider access: Ziggo cable TV packages, including Kabel TV and TV Standard
• Picture availability on Ziggo: NPO 1, NPO 2 and NPO 3 are listed by Ziggo as standard HD channels on digital cable TV

Viewers should use the Ziggo TV guide or the NPO schedule to confirm the exact 2026 FIFA World Cup TV schedule once match-by-match channel assignments are published.

Streaming Availability

Ziggo subscribers can watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup live stream in the Netherlands through Ziggo GO when matches are shown on NPO 1, NPO 2 or NPO 3. Ziggo GO is included for Ziggo customers and works through the Ziggo GO app or website, subject to the user’s subscription and normal platform conditions.

Ziggo GO is available on smartphones, tablets and computers. Ziggo also supports TV-based Ziggo GO viewing on Apple TV from the 4th generation onward, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android TV media players or smart TVs.

NPO App and NPO Start Access

Ziggo viewers using Mediabox Next or Next Mini can also open the NPO app from the apps menu. Ziggo lists the NPO app as providing access to NPO live channels, NPO Start and NPO Plus, with the app also available through channel 152 on the Mediabox.

NPO Start provides livestreams of all NPO TV channels. NPO states that NPO Start can be used anonymously or with a free NPO account, while an NPO Plus subscription adds paid features. Current NPO service information lists HD image quality for NPO Start, free-account use and NPO Plus, so older claims that HD livestreams require NPO Plus should not be treated as confirmed for this guide.

Access Notes

To watch the World Cup on Ziggo, use NPO 1, NPO 2 or NPO 3 on Ziggo TV, Ziggo GO, or the NPO app on compatible Ziggo boxes. The tournament should be followed through the NPO channels carried by Ziggo, rather than through a separate Ziggo Sport World Cup rights package.