Kuala lumpur: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) is committed to delivering comprehensive coverage of all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 across its television and digital platforms.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Director-General of Broadcasting Ashwad Ismail stated that football fans nationwide will be able to follow the tournament through RTM Klik and RTM channels on MYTV and Unifi TV. RTM is mobilising its full resources to ensure the quadrennial tournament is accessible to all Malaysians, including those in rural areas. Ashwad emphasized that the decision to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2026 was driven by the desires of local football fans, highlighting football's popularity in the country. He noted that the effort involves collaboration with major local telecommunications brands.
Ashwad also revealed that the government expenditure for the tournament had been reduced to RM26.2 million, compared with about RM33 million spent on the 2022 World Cup. The reduction in expenditure reflects RTM's commitment to efficiently bringing all 104 matches to Malaysians.
RTM Klik is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding audience reach, with the platform having recorded over seven million downloads. Active users were reported to be between 3.5 million and 4.8 million earlier in the year. Ashwad expressed optimism about the growing numbers and the support for RTM's production team, who are prepared to produce coverage for all matches.
In addition to live match broadcasts, RTM will work with government agencies and private sector partners to host various World Cup-related programmes nationwide. The RTM World Cup 2026 Grandstand programme is set to begin at 1 am this Friday, preceding the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa at 3 am Malaysian time.
While discussing his personal favorites, Ashwad shared that Brazil has been his favorite team since childhood, though he speculates Portugal might surprise fans this year. The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams, marking the largest participation in the tournament's history since 1930.
Earlier, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that RTM and Unifi TV were selected as the official broadcasters of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This initiative is part of the government's effort to ensure Malaysians have access to the tournament through legitimate and widely accessible platforms.