BANGKOK, Thailand – With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway, expats in Thailand face the question of how to watch the matches.
The tournament, hosted by Mexico, the USA, and Canada, began on June 11th. For those residing in Thailand, MONOMAX has secured the exclusive broadcasting rights for all 104 games, with commentary provided exclusively in Thai. This presents a challenge for viewers who prefer or require German commentary for matches involving teams like Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
This guide outlines the realistic options available for expatriates in Thailand, covering everything from free VPN solutions and IPTV services to enjoying the games in local sports bars. It also provides the crucial kickoff times for all three DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) teams in Thai time, ensuring no one misses a crucial moment.
MONOMAX: All Games, but in Thai
Jasmine International confirmed MONOMAX‘s exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2026 World Cup in Thailand on June 11th, one day before the opening match. All 104 games will be broadcast on the streaming platform MONOMAX and the MONOMAX SPORTS channel. While sufficient for Thai speakers, the commentary might become strenuous for others over extended viewing periods.
A subscription to MONOMAX costs approximately 150 to 300 Baht per month, depending on the chosen plan. The app is accessible on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. For those who can tolerate the Thai commentary, muting it offers a cost-effective basic option. For German commentary, further solutions are necessary.
GlobalHDTV and WeltTV: German TV Without Technical Hurdles
For expatriates in Thailand, two IPTV services have long been the go-to solutions for German-language television: GlobalHDTV (globaltv.online) and WeltTV (welttv.to). These platforms offer over 50 and 65 German-language channels live, respectively, including ARD, ZDF, ORF, and SRF, alongside various private broadcasters. As ARD and ZDF will broadcast 60 World Cup games, including all DFB (German national team) matches, these games will be automatically available through these IPTV services.
The cost for GlobalHDTV is around 1000 Baht per month, with WeltTV operating in a similar price range. Both services feature a 14-day replay function, allowing viewers to catch up on matches they missed during late-night kickoffs. These services function in Thailand without the need for a VPN and are compatible with PCs, Android devices, and smart TVs. Austrian and Swiss viewers will find ORF and SRF channels available on both platforms.
VPN and ARD/ZDF: The Most Affordable Option
ARD and ZDF will broadcast 60 World Cup games free of charge, including all German national team matches, both semi-finals, and the final. However, the media libraries of both broadcasters are geo-restricted and inaccessible from Thailand. By using a VPN connected to a German server, the live streams become accessible without issue. Recommended VPN providers include NordVPN, ProtonVPN, or Surfshark, with monthly costs ranging between 2 and 4 Euros.
Setting up a VPN is a quick process: install the VPN app, select a German server, navigate to ARD Mediathek or sportschau.de, and start the live stream. This works on smartphones, laptops, and can be extended to televisions via HDMI or Chromecast. MagentaTV will exclusively broadcast 44 additional games not shown by ARD and ZDF. However, if the sole intention is to watch the DFB matches, a separate MagentaTV subscription is not required.
MagentaTV: All 104 Games with German Commentary
For those who wish to watch every single match with German commentary without interruption, MagentaTV is the essential service. The Deutsche Telekom streaming service broadcasts all 104 World Cup games in UHD quality, with 44 of them being exclusive broadcasts. According to Telekom, MagentaTV is also functional for international viewers, provided they are logged in. Therefore, individuals with an active contract in Germany can utilize it while in Thailand.
For those without an existing subscription, a pure MagentaTV streaming package can be booked in Germany without a fixed-line contract. The app is available on iOS, Android, and numerous smart TV platforms. However, for DACH expats without a current Telekom contract, this route is more complex compared to using IPTV services or a VPN.
ORF and SRF: What Austrians and Swiss Watch
Austrian fans have two major broadcasters, ORF and ServusTV, airing live World Cup matches, including all Austrian team games. ORF ON is the ORF’s streaming app, accessible from Thailand with an Austrian VPN server connection. ServusTV also streams for free online, with similar geo-restrictions. Viewers using GlobalHDTV or WeltTV already have ORF integrated into their package.
Swiss fans can access SRF Play, which is also geo-blocked from Thailand but can be accessed with a Swiss VPN server. All Swiss group stage matches will be broadcast on SRF. Those already subscribed to GlobalHDTV or WeltTV will find SRF within their programming, eliminating the need for a separate VPN setup.
When Germany, Austria, and Switzerland Play
All kickoff times are listed in Thai time (UTC+7, equivalent to CET + 5 hours): Germany’s matches are scheduled against Curaçao on June 15th at midnight, against the Ivory Coast on June 21st at 3 AM, and against Ecuador on June 26th at 3 AM. Switzerland will face Qatar on June 14th at 2 AM. Austria has the most convenient kickoff time of the three DACH teams, with their opener against Jordan on June 17th at 11 AM.
Austria’s subsequent schedule includes a match against Argentina on June 23rd at midnight (Thai time) and against Algeria on June 28th at 9 AM. Therefore, early risers will find Austrian games more accessible, while night owls may prefer the earlier kickoffs for Germany and Switzerland. Sports bars in Pattaya and Bangkok generally remain open until after the final whistle.
Sports Bars in Thailand: Group World Cup Atmosphere
For those who prefer not to watch the games alone in front of a laptop, excellent options exist in major expat cities. Pattaya and Bangkok boast the highest number of bars with large screens regularly broadcasting football, and these establishments are legally permitted to stay open into the early morning hours. In Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui, the selection is more limited, with bars often closing by 2 AM.
It is important to note that not every bar will automatically show every game with sound. It is advisable to inquire beforehand via Line or Facebook whether the desired match will be shown with audio. For top matches like Germany versus Ecuador or the final, table reservations are recommended. The atmosphere of a full house is an experience that cannot be replicated by home streaming at all.
Which Option Is Right for Whom
For casual viewers who only wish to watch the German national team or Austrian matches, using a VPN with ARD/ZDF/ORF/SRF offers a free solution, costing only about 2 to 4 Euros per month for the VPN service. For those who watch German-language television daily and also follow the World Cup, GlobalHDTV or WeltTV are better choices, with their 14-day replay feature and extensive channel package justifying the approximately 20 Euros per month cost.
Anyone who truly wants to watch all 104 games with German commentary will need MagentaTV, regardless of whether they have an existing Telekom contract. Those who wish to avoid the technical setup or prefer watching in company can opt for a sports bar. All these options are viable in Thailand, and the best choice ultimately depends on how many games one intends to watch and the level of effort they are willing to undertake.