You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 completely free in Sri Lanka. The Maharaja Media Network holds the island’s broadcast rights and is airing every game free-to-air on TV1, Sirasa TV, and Shakthi TV.
This is the first time Maharaja has carried a FIFA World Cup, and it means no subscription is needed to follow the tournament from the opening match to the final. Here is exactly where and how to watch.
Watch Free: TV1, Sirasa TV and Shakthi TV
Every match of the World Cup is available free-to-air across three Maharaja channels, so a standard TV aerial or set-top box is all you need.
According to Newsfirst, the free coverage runs from the June 11 opener through the July 19 final. Your channel options are:
- TV1 — English-language coverage
- Sirasa TV — Sinhala-language coverage
- Shakthi TV — Tamil-language coverage
With up to six matches on busy days, including simultaneous kick-offs, the three channels split fixtures so you can follow more than one game across the network.
Free Highlights via FIFA+
If you miss a live match, FIFA’s official FIFA+ platform streams free highlights, recaps, and replays worldwide. It is the easiest way to catch up on goals without a subscription.
Free vs Paid: What You Get
Free-to-air TV covers the entire tournament, but a paid option exists for HD quality and on-the-go viewing. Here is how the choices compare.
| Option | What You Get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| TV1, Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV | All 104 matches live, free-to-air, in three languages | Free |
| SLT-Mobitel PEOTV & PEO MOBILE | All 104 matches live in HD, plus mobile streaming | Subscription / data plan |
| FIFA+ | Highlights, replays, and recaps (not full live matches) | Free |
SLT-Mobitel’s PEOTV and PEO MOBILE also carry all 104 matches live in HD, which is the better pick if you want sharper picture quality or plan to watch on your phone.
Match Timings in Sri Lanka
Most matches kick off in the early morning Sri Lankan time, since games are played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sri Lanka runs on UTC+5:30, the same as India.
That means many fixtures fall between the late night and pre-dawn hours, with a few in the early afternoon. Plan around the night owls’ schedule for the biggest games.
- Check the full fixture list in our FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule guide.
- Sri Lanka shares India’s time zone, so our World Cup time in India guide lists the same local kick-off times.
- Catch up on the opening match and the final details.
For fans gathering to watch together, cafés and sports bars in Colombo typically screen the marquee games — and you can find public watch parties in our World Cup fan zones roundup.
If you would rather be in the stadiums, see our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 guide for tickets, host cities, and travel planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 for free in Sri Lanka?
Yes. All 104 matches air free-to-air on TV1, Sirasa TV, and Shakthi TV via the Maharaja Media Network, so no subscription is required.
Which channels show the matches in Sinhala, Tamil, and English?
Sirasa TV broadcasts in Sinhala, Shakthi TV in Tamil, and TV1 in English.
Is there an HD or mobile option?
Yes. SLT-Mobitel PEOTV and PEO MOBILE stream all 104 matches live in HD on a subscription or data plan.
What time do matches start in Sri Lanka?
Most kick off in the late-night to early-morning hours on Sri Lanka Standard Time (UTC+5:30), with some afternoon fixtures. See the schedule guide for exact times.
Sources
- Newsfirst — Maharaja Media Network to Deliver 104 Matches to Millions
- Newswire.lk — SLT-Mobitel PEOTV Secures Broadcast Rights for FIFA World Cup 2026
- Daily Mirror — 2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time
- FIFA+ — Official Streaming Platform
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