The 2026 World Cup starts this Thursday (11). Maybe you’re not so excited to see Mexico against South Africa at 4pm or South Korea against the Czech Republic at 11pm. But the excitement should grow with the arrival of the Brazilian team, which will face Morocco on Saturday (13), at 7pm.
Many Brazilians will watch the games at home, but a classic problem can ruin the party: your neighbor shouts “goal” before the ball hits your screen. This happens because of the delay in transmissions, which varies depending on the technology used.
Streaming is the type of live transmission that presents the most delay, according to telecommunications experts. The process involves encoding the signal, sending it over the internet, buffers to avoid crashes and decoding on the user’s device. All of this can add up to 30 seconds or more of difference in relation to what happens in the stadium.
On open TV with a digital antenna, the delay is usually much shorter, generally between 2 and 8 seconds. The signal via satellite or antenna arrives more directly, without so many intermediate steps. Pay TV or cable adds a little more delay, ranging from 5 to 10 seconds.
The radio remains unbeatable in terms of speed. With a delay of around 1 second, it allows fans to hear the goal practically in real time. Broadcasters such as Jovem Pan and SBT highlight this in campaigns, encouraging the use of the antenna or radio so as not to miss the moment of celebration.
Experts explain that buffering in streaming prioritizes stability over speed, which explains why two neighbors using the same service may have different delays. Factors such as network route, connection and device influence the final result.
To avoid being left behind, the tip is to prioritize open TV with an antenna or radio during the most important games. A simple antenna costs from R$30 and already delivers a signal faster than apps and online platforms.
With the World Cup taking place in the United States, the time difference and international broadcasts amplify the debate about latency. Anyone who wants to shout a goal along with the stadium needs to choose the right platform.
