Where to watch the World Cup in Rome: A quick guide.
Despite the massive disappointment of Italy failing to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, millions of Italians will still be tuning in to watch the 2026 edition of the global football tournament.
Rome’s pubs are set to be packed for the World Cup games, which take place from 11 June until 19 July.
Most venues operate on a first-come, first-served basis on match days, so arrive an hour or two ahead of the game. (World Cup fans are advised to contact the venues directly to confirm if a specific match will be shown).
Here is a quick guide to the best pubs in Rome for sports coverage.
Scholars Lounge – Rome’s largest Irish pub and past winner of the world’s Irish Pub of the Year, located just off Piazza Venezia. This Irish-owned pub shows all major sporting fixtures with English-language commentary. Via del Plebiscito 101B.
The Shamrock – A football-mad pub tucked away on a side street near the Colosseum. A lively atmosphere is guaranteed, making it well suited to fans passionate about the game. Via del Colosseo 1/c.
Finnegans – In the heart of the Monti quarter, this Irish-owned pub attracts an English-speaking crowd, mainly from the UK and Ireland, and also offers a loud atmosphere for football games. Via Leonina 66.
Fiddler’s Elbow – Opened in 1976, this is the first Irish pub in Italy, located near Termini station. It is legendary among the older expat community and is known for its traditional Irish music sessions. Via dell’Olmata 43.
Druid’s Den – Rome’s third-oldest Irish pub, around the corner from the Fiddler’s Elbow, with a clientele that is typically a mix of Italian and foreign local residents. Via di San Martino ai Monti 28.
Other reliable options include: Abbey Theatre, a large Irish pub near Piazza Navona (Via del Governo Vecchio 51); The Highlander, a Scottish pub in the historic centre (Vicolo di San Biagio 9); Trinity College, an Irish-style bar just off Via del Corso (Via del Collegio Romano 6); The Nag’s Head, near Piazza Venezia (Via Quattro Novembre 138/b); Angeli Rock in the San Paolo area (Via Ostiense 193C); and The Drunken Ship in Campo de’ Fiori 20/21.
How to watch the World Cup on Italian TV and streaming
All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be streamed live in Italy on DAZN, with a subscription.
Some matches will also be available to watch free-to-air. State broadcaster RAI will screen 35 matches from the tournament – including the opening games, semi-finals and finals – as well as streaming on the RaiPlay platform.
What happened to Italy?
Four-time champions Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup following a penalty-shootout defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina on 31 March. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with Bosnia winning 4-1 on penalties.
The defeat – which makes Italy the first former champions in the tournament’s history to miss three successive editions – sparked an outcry and led to the swift departures of head coach Gennaro Gattuso, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina, and head of delegation Gianluigi Buffon.
Italy’s last World Cup appearance was in Brazil in 2014, and previous play-off eliminations came against Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
Italy won the World Cup in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006. Brazil is the country with the most Worl Cup titles – five – ahead of Italy and Germany in joint second-place with four each.
Photo by Alessandro Rossetti, courtesy of The Shamrock.
