DAZN to carry World Cup in Spain under Mediapro distribution deal with free-to-air matches still protected

DAZN has agreed a distribution deal with GRUP MEDIAPRO that will give the streaming platform pay-TV access in Spain to a dedicated 2026 FIFA World Cup channel, including live and on-demand coverage of all 104 matches at this summer’s expanded tournament.The agreement makes DAZN the exclusive distributor of Mediapro’s World Cup channel on pay television in Spain and positions the service as the main subscription destination for full tournament coverage across the 48-team event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Óscar Vilda, chief executive of DAZN Spain and Portugal, said: “For football fans in Spain, this is a historic moment. We are very happy to announce that the FIFA World Cup 2026 can be enjoyed in full on DAZN. With this agreement, we take a big step to democratise the biggest sporting spectacle in the world and make it even more accessible for fans in an innovative and flexible way.”The deal does not remove the World Cup entirely from free-to-air television in Spain. National legislation protects listed sports events, which is expected to include Spain matches, the final and a selection of later-round fixtures.Those games are likely to be carried by a free-to-air broadcaster alongside DAZN’s complete tournament offering.The arrangement reflects a wider European rights model in which subscription platforms secure comprehensive coverage while public broadcasters retain access to a smaller set of high-impact fixtures, particularly those involving the national team and the final.Further details on how protected matches will be allocated in Spain are expected closer to kick-off. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, with 104 matches across 39 days following FIFA’s expansion to 48 teams.