Uruguay will have free and unrestricted access to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as state television (Canal 5) and the public communications company ANTEL (Antel TV) have announced the acquisition of broadcasting rights. This historic and political decision, valued at 3.7 million dollars, aims to guarantee the universality of this content. The director of Canal 5, Erika Hoffmann, highlighted that this agreement sets a precedent in Uruguay, marking the first time a World Cup will be broadcast openly and free of charge exclusively on public television. "We want the World Cup to be experienced in the country, to be a community event," Hoffmann expressed during the launch. The coverage will include the official draw, the opening ceremony, all of Uruguay's national team matches, the semi-finals, and the grand final. As part of this strategy for universal access to sports content, Hoffmann also announced another significant agreement: in 2028, public media will also broadcast the Olympic Games, thanks to a deal with the Uruguayan Olympic Committee (COU).
