The 2026 World Cup brings bittersweet news for football fans who love high definition. DAZN, the rights holder, will broadcast the majority of matches in 1080i, a quality far from current 4K. Only 33 games, including those featuring Spain and the final, will be seen in true 4K via La 1 UHD on DTT, Vodafone TV, or Digi TV. The rest of the tournament will depend on your TV's upscaling, which will try to improve a signal that can't deliver more. ⚽
The technical detail of limited 4K on DTT 📺
The problem isn't your screen, but the source signal. DAZN has opted for a majority production in 1080i, a lower resolution that your TV will process with upscaling to fill in the pixels. This process doesn't create new details; it only stretches the image. To access native 4K, you need to tune into La 1 UHD on DTT, available in certain areas, or subscribe to Vodafone TV or Digi TV. Without these channels, your visual experience will be upscaled 1080i, not true high definition.
The upscaling trick: your TV does magic (or so it thinks) 🎩
Your 4K TV promised you wonders, but now it faces DAZN's 1080i. Upscaling is like applying filters to a blurry photo: the result is larger, but not sharper. While a few enjoy true 4K on La 1 UHD, the rest will see players as if they were running in a cloud. Next time someone says football looks good on their TV, remind them that their screen is doing more work than the referees.