DR Congo, formerly Zaire, holds the distinction of being the first sub-Saharan African nation to reach the World Cup finals when they appeared in 1974. RTNC provides free state television coverage while Canal+ Afrique serves Francophone subscribers with the premium multi-match experience.
Pan-African premium pay-TV with comprehensive World Cup coverage. Subscriptions available through local operators and the myCANAL streaming app.
Watching from outside DR Congo?
BBC iPlayer and ITVX together stream all 104 matches free and are geo-restricted to the UK. A VPN lets Congolese viewers watch the full tournament at no cost.
VPN use is legal in most countries. Always check local regulations.
Did You Know?
Zaire's appearance at the 1974 World Cup remains one of football's most memorable — including the infamous free-kick incident where defender Mwepu Ilunga broke from the defensive wall to boot the ball away, reportedly to avoid a cricket score against Brazil in a politically charged atmosphere.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is available in DR Congo on RTNC, Canal+ Afrique.
Yes. SBS On Demand (Australia) streams all 104 World Cup matches completely free, and BBC iPlayer with ITVX (UK) carries the full tournament between them. These services are geo-restricted but a VPN such as NordVPN (https://go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=15&aff_id=149286&url_id=902) unlocks them from DR Congo. Get NordVPN - 74% Off
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, 2026 and runs through to the final on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.
The 2026 World Cup opening match kicks off on June 11, 2026 at 20:00 CDT (01:00 UTC on June 12). In DR Congo the opening match starts at June 12 at 02:00 WAT. Subsequent matches run daily until the final on July 19, 2026, with kick-off times of 15:00, 18:00, and 21:00 CDT on most matchdays.
Yes. Canal+ Afrique broadcasts all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in DR Congo with a subscription. SBS On Demand (Australia) also streams all 104 matches free, with BBC iPlayer plus ITVX covering the UK, accessible from DR Congo with a VPN.