Where to watch the World Cup 2026 in Tanzania when you come to climb Kilimanjaro.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup (June 11 – July 19, 2026) is the biggest edition yet, with 48 teams and 104 matches co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This year’s tournament falls right in the peak season of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, when the weather is most favourable to climb, cool and dry to be exact, in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Even though Tanzania has not qualified or has never qualified, unfortunately, there are many football fanatics spread across the country. It is a great season for soccer fans after the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal and PSG concluded. As the Arsenal fans across East Africa celebrate, what about football fans from around the world? For a tournament that takes place every four years, to some, it must mean a lot, because many people from different nationalities and ethnicities climb Kilimanjaro every year. Now, you are one of our climbers; we have you covered, but be aware that on the mountain, it is almost impossible to watch. You might get some updates from our guides at the camp, but it is not possible to follow live matches on TVs while climbing. I will give you two main reasons: lack of electricity and lack of signal up there. It is the first World Cup with three host nations and expanded to 48 teams. For climbers heading to Mount Kilimanjaro, Moshi (the main gateway town) is the ideal base. You can comfortably watch matches before your climb, during acclimatization/rest days, or after descending. Most hotels, lodges, and sports bars in Moshi have satellite TV (Azam TV or DStv/SuperSport) and will screen big games. On the mountain itself, live viewing is not practical, but many operators can update you on scores or arrange post-climb viewing parties.

Climbing Kilimanjaro in July, August, September, October and late June is one of the best time with great weather

What time will the matches be shown?

Tanzania uses East Africa Time (EAT, UTC+3, no daylight saving). North American match times convert favorably for evening/night viewing in Moshi:

Many afternoon/evening US kick-offs fall in the evening or late night in Tanzania (e.g., 3 p.m. ET ≈ 10 p.m. EAT).
The opening match (Mexico vs South Africa, June 11) kicks off around 10:00 p.m. EAT.
The final (July 19) is also scheduled for convenient evening viewing in EAT.

Exact times vary by match and venue time zone (EDT, CDT, MDT, PDT, or Mexican/Canadian equivalents), but the majority of games are watchable live in the evenings in Moshi. Full EAT schedules are available on FIFA’s site or local broadcasters closer to the tournament.

Where is the World Cup taking place

Matches take place across 16 host cities and venues in three countries:

Mexico (3 cities): Mexico City (Estadio Azteca – opening match), Guadalajara, Monterrey.
Canada (2 cities): Toronto, Vancouver.
United States (11 cities): Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), Miami, New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium – final), Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle.

Iconic venues include Estadio Azteca, SoFi Stadium, and MetLife Stadium for the final on July 19.

Which channels will show

In Tanzania, the main broadcasters are:

Azam TV — Holds exclusive rights for Tanzania and several East African countries; will air all 104 matches live on Azam Sports channels (HD).
SuperSport (via DStv/GOtv) — Major Sub-Saharan Africa rights holder with dedicated World Cup channels and multi-language commentary.

Most hotels, lodges, and sports bars in Moshi subscribe to one or both. Azam TV decoders are widely available and affordable. Some free-to-air highlights or select matches may also appear on local TV.

How to watch

Top hotels showing around Moshi and near the respective routes

Most popular Kilimanjaro climber hotels have bars, lounges, or restaurants with satellite TV and will screen World Cup matches (especially big games involving popular teams). Many offer large screens or will tune in on request. Top options include:

Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (Kiliwonders) — Popular with climbers; pool, bar, and great views.
Maridadi Hotel — Frequently used pre- and post-climb; comfortable with bar/TV facilities.
Keys Hotel (Moshi or Mbokomu) — Reliable climber favorite with poolside bar.
Stella Maris Lodge — Outskirts of Moshi, a popular base with a bar and TV.
Parkview Inn and Springlands Hotel — Good budget/mid-range options with climber crowds.
Others worth checking: Chanya Lodge, Panama Garden Resort, or Ameg Lodge.

Ask at reception or the bar upon arrival — they often create a World Cup atmosphere. Lodges closer to route starting points (e.g., Machame or Marangu gates) are more basic, but many still have TVs.

Top airlines showing

Several carriers flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) offer strong in-flight entertainment (IFE) that may include live sports, football channels, or on-demand World Cup content during June–July 2026. Top recommendations:

Qatar Airways (direct from Doha) — Excellent seat-back IFE with extensive sports and live TV options on many aircraft.
Turkish Airlines (from Istanbul) — Outstanding entertainment system and often features major sporting events.
Ethiopian Airlines (from Addis Ababa) — Good IFE and frequent flights; sports content usually available.
Others: KLM and connecting carriers like Emirates or Kenya Airways also have solid entertainment libraries.

Live matches depend on flight timing and Wi-Fi availability (some offer it). Download airline apps in advance or check schedules for sports packages.

Top sports pubs and bars in Moshi

These venues are popular with tourists and locals for watching football and will almost certainly show World Cup matches:

Peppers Restaurant & Sports Bar — Dedicated sports bar with multiple screens, Indian food, and a great atmosphere for matches (highly recommended).
Amuz Sports Bar and Grill (Amuz Bar) — Lively spot with Kilimanjaro views, sports on TV, drinks, and a mix of locals and climbers.
Redstone Bar & Restaurant — Classic pub vibe, pub food, and lively sports-watching scene.
Hotel bars at the properties listed above (e.g., Maridadi, Kili Wonders) often have big screens and a social climber crowd.

These spots are perfect for post-climb celebrations or rest days.

Countries participating

48 teams in total. Co-hosts (automatically qualified): Canada, Mexico, United States.

Qualified teams by confederation:

AFC (Asia): Australia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan.
CAF (Africa): Algeria, Cabo Verde, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia.
CONCACAF: Curaçao, Haiti, Panama (plus the three hosts).
CONMEBOL (South America): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay.
OFC (Oceania): New Zealand.
UEFA (Europe): Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye.